## Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by SolidSnickerdoodle » Fri Jan 01, 2016 7:06 pm

I'm going to preface this by saying that I know this seems like a strange topic to bring to this forum. Nonetheless, it's something very relevant to my life, so I occasionally like to fill people out on it and hear their opinions. I've asked friends, family, teachers, and seeing that I spend a lot of time here I'd like to ask you guys for your thoughts.
I'm halfway through my senior year of high school. As a senior, there is a tremendous amount of pressure from teachers, administration, and fellow students to attend a university right after graduation. I myself have a difficult time with this notion, not just because of the potential of crippling debt form student loans, but also because I have no definite career path that I know I want to pursue at this time.
I would like to further my education in the future. I think it's a wise investment, but I just don't have the career confidence or sense of direction I think I need to make a commitment like that right out of high school.
I've tried explaining this to people, but most everyone one I ask disagrees with me. I've gotten arguments ranging from "finding out what you want to do is part of the college experience. After all the average college student changes their major three times." to "Well, you've got the first two years to decide your major. You'll figure it out."
Am I alone in this? I'm not ruling out college. It's just that I'm only 18. I barely even know what type of music I'm into. I'd like to be a little more well-prepared and self-confident before I make a financial decision like this. I'm currently considering taking a year off after graduation, working a steady job, and doing a little soul searching.
What do you guys think?
Last edited by SolidSnickerdoodle on Sat Jan 09, 2016 8:37 am, edited 2 times in total.
There is only one God, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: Not today.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by drawscore » Sat Jan 02, 2016 2:12 am

First, there are courses that are required for all degrees, such as, what is lovingly referred to, as "Freshman Comp," otherwise known as Composition 101, or Creative Writing 101. It's a bear. Take it, and get it out of the way. For that matter, take all the courses that are required. You can decide what you want to do later, and you'll have all the required courses out of the way, so you can concentrate on courses that pertain to what you want to do,
An alternative, is to take the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) tests. CLEP is available in the US. Outside the US, I have no clue. If they are available to you, your high school guidance counselor should be able to tell you where you can take them, and how much they will cost.
One thing is certain, and that is that it will cost a lot less to take the first five CLEP tests, both in money, and in time, than to sit through those 15 credit hours in a classroom. Pass all five of the tests, and you will have earned 15 credit hours in a week, instead of three months. And most US colleges and universities will accept CLEP credits.
Another consideration might be military service. Some people shudder at this idea, since the primary purpose of the military is "to kill people and break things." But there is more to it than that. The military needs paralegals, paramedics, journalists, broadcasters, clerks, cooks, mechanics, drivers, and a whole flock or other jobs. If you write for the school newspaper, you can get a 12 week "crash course" in military journalism. Well, it was a thought. And the CLEP tests are available for free at the base/post education center. And, of course, there are veterans benefits from the VA after you leave active service.
Drawscore

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by 31acujoker » Wed Jan 06, 2016 12:35 pm

I took 6 months off between school and college (well, like college, we call it TAFE over here) because like you I was very confused about what I should do as a career. So I just got a job and figured out exactly what it was I wanted to do, since then I've been on a fairly clear career path and I'm in the last 6 months of my course
Everyone's different, so although I'd suggest trying what I did, I'd also say, don't wait too long or you'll start acting like a bludger. It's up to you at the end of the day, pick something you'll enjoy and are passionate about where you can realistically succeed.
"A thing is not beautiful because it lasts"
- The Vision

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by Driverman » Wed Jan 06, 2016 2:32 pm

Everyone has to take their own course. We are all different and there is no one path that is the correct path for everyone.
Getting an education is a great thing, and it's great for some people. Others go a different route and are equally successful, or perhaps not as financially successful but happier than those that are.
If you are not ready for college but you know you want to go eventually, take a little time off, clear your head, and get in the right frame of mind. Going to college when you are not ready and it's not the right thing at that time can lead to cutting classes, dropping out, and being unhappy. Forcing it on yourself is the best way to become tired and disillusioned and bored with it.
Now keep in mind I don't know you, and there is one danger in taking time off before going. A few months can turn into a few years really quickly. If you have the sort of personality where you tend to be complacent, keep in mind that it can be hard to get yourself motivated to go to school if you get comfortable doing something else. Of course, that is not always a bad thing, either.
Bottom line, accept advice from anyone, but at the end of the day, do what feels right to you. Nobody else can decide that for you.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by SolidSnickerdoodle » Wed Jan 06, 2016 5:33 pm

Just thought I'd say thanks to you guys for taking the time to reply. You all seem very considerate and open-minded, and I appreciate that.
In the end I'll probably end up taking some time off to decide where my true passions lie and what kind of further education I'd like to pursue. I do understand the concerns about waiting too long. I've heard this argument many times, and I will grant that it is well-founded. Time can get away from you, and I am concerned that if I hold off for too long I will lose much of my knowledge from high school.
That being said, I feel as though college is something you have to be entirely on board with. It's a huge commitment, and when the time comes I'd like to know that I'm moving forward with confidence; that I'm doing this because I feel it's the right thing for me and not because its the "next thing for me".
And if that means that I have to suffer criticism at the hands of teachers and fellow students for not attending straight out of high school, then so be it. I'm not going to be pressured into making an ill-founded decision regarding something this significant.
Thanks again for your thoughts. I'm approaching the end of my senior year, and my mind is petty much made up, but I'm still always open to advice from others on the subject.
There is only one God, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: Not today.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by ebascoray » Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:22 pm

To echo the comments of other persons who have responded to you already, I'd say that you have to do what is "right" for Solidsnickerdoodle to do. For many people, going on to a college is not the best thing to do RIGHT AFTER high school. Taking a year off, or maybe two, to do some things, like travel, work, do some studying of your own sort in your own way, might a good thing to do. Or, perhaps, like Mr. Drawscore said, join the Military Services, if you are so inclined. I wish you the best in your decision. And, I hope that you'll enjoy the final few months of your senior year of high school!
Ebascoray.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by ebascoray » Thu Jan 07, 2016 5:28 pm

One other thing that I forgot to mention. To the best of my knowledge, I don't think that there is ANYTHING written "in stone", that states that EVERY young person who is just leaving high school, MUST go on to college or university immediately after graduating from high school. Do what you think is best for you, so that you'll have no regrets later on! As I said before, enjoy your final few months of the high-school experience, whatever your decision is.
Ebascoray

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by Jason Toddman » Fri Jan 08, 2016 6:59 am

In your case, much depends on one very important factor you did not mention... how is it being paid for? You mentioned student loans. If that's your entire game plan, then you'd better wait until you've definitely decided on and committed to a career goal!
I went through four years of college intending to be a teacher. Most of it was paid for through my (deceased) dad's social security, and scholarships paid the rest so essentially MY college education cost me nothing. However, it was a bad choice for me; I'd acted too hastily in choosing a career I was not temperamentally suited for because it was a use it or lose it situation. Social security would have stopped paying for my support at age 18 had i not gone on to college; with college it lasted four more years. Since my education was virtually free, I really had nothing to lose. But i gained nothing either by choosing a career path that ended before it began. It was four years spent killing time and getting nowhere in life.
If you (or your parents) are paying for college out of pocket or need a student loan to pay for it all, then i would wait until i knew for sure what I wanted to do. I'd always had strong doubts/reservations about my choice, and had I or my folks had to foot the bill (or had student loans to worry about afterward) I'd have never bothered but simply found a lower paying job until i knew for sure what to do with my life.
If that is your situation, i'd definitely wait... or likely you'd be spending a lot of money for nothing. Especially as college costs are so much greater now than when I went in the mid 1970s; a semester now costs more than my entire four years did (about $10,000 for everything including room, board, and textbooks). That's too much money to spend on something you're uncertain about; especially if it turns out you never decide on a career you want at all! Until you are certain of a career and are certain you can handle the workload of college, it's actually a rotten investment. And in your case, unlike myself, at least afaik you have no funding to lose if you wait.
Without a definite career goal in mind, college is a waste of time and an even worse waste of money. Take it from someone who knows!
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by truly_trussed » Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:34 am

Although I recall you had many a TUG in your dorm.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by Jason Toddman » Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:53 pm

> truly_trussed wrote:Although I recall you had many a TUG in your dorm.

Well yeah, that's true... but i would likely have had about as many back home had i stayed there, as I was having a summer relationship with Stevie during the same years anyway. Still, there were some good memories, such as Spring Break in Florida in 1976. No TUGs during that, but hey.... it was spring break in Florida!!! That was good enough!
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by spd138 » Fri Jan 08, 2016 8:37 pm

Don't blow your time and money. Wait tell you have direction then go. Hell spend a year working a crapy job that will help you get direction

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by SolidSnickerdoodle » Tue Jan 12, 2016 4:21 pm

I honestly didn't expect so many people to comment. Thanks again you guys. It means a lot.
There is only one God, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: Not today.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by Jason Toddman » Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:03 am

I hope whatever you decide works out for you. Just as long as you aware that college is a major commitment and what you decide about it can be crucial to how you live the rest of your life. Going for it without a careful plan can be a much bigger mistake than never going at all could ever be; at least in these days of crippling student loan debt (a problem I thankfully never had to deal with; it would have been a definite deal-breaker for me).
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by viking » Thu Jan 14, 2016 10:52 am

i'm not doing anything new than repeating what everyone else has already said before me, but, do your own thing.
the most important thing for you to do for yourself is whatever makes you happy, and you are the only person in the whole world who can find out what that thing is, not the teachers, not your friends or fellow students, not your family, not some stranger that you never spoken to before that randomly replies to your questions on some online forum dedicated to people with a heavy interest for tying up others or getting tied up themselves.
YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN FIND OUT, nobody else.
like you said yourself, your'e only 18, you barely have any life experience, and your'e not even sure if you can pay for the education.
the only advice i can give you is to follow your instincts.
the answer is hidden somewhere inside you, you just have to start digging, it might be deep, so it could take a while, but it's in there somewhere.
for me personally, i didn't feel like getting a higher education when i was younger, and i already knew before i even started high school that i would not bother going to some kind of university. so i took culinary lectures during high school, worked some extra at a local pub and in the butcher section of a local grocery store, and as soon as high school finished i started working as a chefs apprentice at a hotel.
two years later i received a diploma for my culinary skills, and i'm still working as a chef and a bartender today at the age of 26.
i didn't need a high education at all, and i got a pay check that might not be the best to brag about, but still good enough to live my life the way i want. meanwhile, i'm still watching several of my old classmates who struggles with finding out what to do with their life, who's still working on a high education, who's still in debt for the rest of their lives because of all their student loans, and they still don't even know what to do about their life.
then again, i also have friends who got a higher education, recently finished it, and today work at their dream job with a paycheck so high they could fill a bathtub with fresh money every month, but these people knew what they wanted to study before they even started studying.
again, the only true answer to your question is another question:
what do YOU want? not what other think you should do.
if you want to study, then do it.
if you want to get a job and wait with your studies, then do it.
if you want to travel somewhere and see if you can find your inner spirit, then do it.
but whatever you decide, let it be your own decision! not some other pricks decision.
Once a scout, always a perverted pyromaniac with a fetish for knives and duct tape

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by Jason Toddman » Thu Jan 14, 2016 3:02 pm

> viking wrote:for me personally, i didn't feel like getting a higher education when i was younger, and i already knew before i even started high school that i would not bother going to some kind of university. so i took culinary lectures during high school, worked some extra at a local pub and in the butcher section of a local grocery store, and as soon as high school finished i started working as a chefs apprentice at a hotel.
> two years later i received a diploma for my culinary skills, and i'm still working as a chef and a bartender today at the age of 26.

It sounds like it worked out for you too... and that's the important thing.
Felt that needed to be emphasized since the point seemed kind of lost in all that verbiage.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by crazyman4 » Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:42 pm

OK here the situation. I started out as a Mechanical Engineering major at a state university. I did okay in the beginning and then things started to go very badly with math( calculus based). I did very well in high school math being ahead of most other students but after three semester of not being able to do math. I have switched majors to finance. The problems lies in the fact I was on probation last semester and could not afford to do worse. Middle of december 2015 I got a lower GPA and faced academic dismissal. I will be honest it is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Now I did allowed back into but have fix my situation due majoring into something I could not handle. My suggestion is do not take a break from learning and taking classes. Go take some courses at a local community college in a bunch of different fields and see what you like. Community college at least in America is about $1200 per course(well at least that is what it at in massachusettes)but enough to get your feet wet without breaking the bank. Plus they offer programs that can give large discount for starting at a community college first. If you are not sure you should get a feel of the different types of majors and try not to get into a simular situation I am in today.best of luck to you.
Also if there are grammatical errors sorry writing on a tablet and was not the best at writing.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by Jason Toddman » Thu Jan 14, 2016 8:38 pm

> crazyman4 wrote:My suggestion is do not take a break from learning and taking classes.

Well, I agree with the first part anyway. Definitely if someone has a strong interest in something they'll want to follow it anyway whether they attend college or not. But if one can't afford regular college, a local community college isn't going to be that much cheaper; unless that is ultimately what one decides to settle for, it likely would be just added expense in the long run.
But one one point you mentioned if not elaborated on is that there are plenty of free options fr learning that just didn't exist when I was of college age; the internet itself obviously for one. For some things of course it's no substitute for college but reading whatever you can find for free online might be a way to find out if that subject is what you want to devote your life too. Say, if you want to be a surgeon or a lawyer, read everything you can about human anatomy or legal cases or whatever else applies, and test your interest and comprehension skills; either online or at the library (do they still have those in large cities?).
Ultimately, if you cannot maintain your interest or learn from such tools, then college isn't going to help you either. It's best to know that before you invest time and money in college, in that case.
The real question is, is there ANY career you want to pursue? One thing I am still vague about Solidsnickerdoodle is whether you have several options you really like and just can't choose between them or if you are struggling to find even one that really interests you more than casually (which was the case with me I might add). If the first, then taking college courses may be useful in helping you decide which is best for you. If the second is true and you're already about to graduate high school, then college is not going to help you at all and would just be a pointless and expensive waste of time.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by SolidSnickerdoodle » Thu Jan 14, 2016 9:37 pm

> Jason Toddman wrote:The real question is, is there ANY career you want to pursue? One thing I am still vague about Solidsnickerdoodle is whether you have several options you really like and just can't choose between them or if you are struggling to find even one that really interests you more than casually (which was the case with me I might add). If the first, then taking college courses may be useful in helping you decide which is best for you. If the second is true and you're already about to graduate high school, then college is not going to help you at all and would just be a pointless and expensive waste of time.

It's definitely the second case. I have interests, and things that I get excited about just like anybody else. I don't consider myself a boring person. I've just never really had one central thing jump out at me to where I say, "Yes! I want to do that!" And there's definitely not multiple career choices competing for the spotlight.
This has been my situation for as long as I can remember. Some people know exactly what they want to do with their life from the time they're little. Others figure it out later I suppose. Whatever occupation I end up having, I'd just like to enjoy it somewhat. So long as I can get by, support myself, and not want to kill myself every day working in a cubicle then I think I'll be fine.
In response to what crazyman4 said, I do think it's important to keep up with education. As I've said, the idea of higher education does appeal to me, but even if a standard university doesn't end up working out, I still don't want to stop learning entirely. In my opinion, one of the worst things you can do is stop learning new things. Lest you grow stagnant and ignorant.
My dad recently turned me onto some free online courses that he's taking. It's not for college credit or a diploma or anything. He's just very into natural history and human evolution, and signs up for these lessons offered by these well-credited authors and whatnot. They offer lesson plans, there's discussion forums and assessments solely for the purpose of reviewing what you've learned. He knows more about it than I do, but it seemed like an interesting idea. I've considered taking a basic astronomy course while I work. That way I can be employed while continuing to sharpen my mind in the background.
There is only one God, and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: Not today.

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by drawscore » Thu Jan 14, 2016 11:43 pm

One other thing to consider: Some degrees are much more conducive to obtaining a job, than others. For instance, degrees in Business Administration or Finance and Accounting, will be much more impressive to a prospective employer, than degrees in ethnic or gender studies, or in some other unusual field. You'll have more job offers and make more money with that business degree, than you will with a degree in Underwater Basket Weaving. Then again, you should be happy in what you do, and make a decent life for yourself and your "significant other," and any children you might conceive or adopt. If you'd be happier making 20k a year weaving baskets underwater, than you would be making 50k a year in a business or financial office, then go for it.
As Rick Nelson sang in "Garden Party," back in 1971, "You can't please every one, so you got to please yourself."
Drawscore

### Re: Should I go to college RIGHT AFTER high school, even if I don't know what kind of career I want to pursue?

Post by Jason Toddman » Fri Jan 15, 2016 7:39 am

> SolidSnickerdoodle wrote:It's definitely the second case. I have interests, and things that I get excited about just like anybody else. I don't consider myself a boring person. I've just never really had one central thing jump out at me to where I say, "Yes! I want to do that!" And there's definitely not multiple career choices competing for the spotlight.
> My dad recently turned me onto some free online courses that he's taking. It's not for college credit or a diploma or anything. He's just very into natural history and human evolution, and signs up for these lessons offered by these well-credited authors and whatnot.

You and your dad sound very much like me. I also prefer to keep learning. Someone once said that true intelligence isn't based on how much you know or even how fast you learn but on how curious you are about the world and eager you are to keep learning more about it.
Sounds like you have a very good (and smart) dad. So did I; unfortunately he died when I was still in my early teens. Treasure yours while you can.
I can definitely relate to having no fixed purpose in life; I never did develop one and have had a dozen different kinds of jobs over the past 40 years from mowing lawns (and cemeteries) to computer programming to data technician to teaching science (to adults rather than children however, as i originally went to college to do) to being a editor for various local magazines and journals to driving taxicabs to working in factories to managing a restaurant's kitchen. It's been a rather eclectic series of experiences to be sure, but until recent health issues forced me to stop work altogether I've enjoyed it well enough. Never made a huge bundle of money though, but I've never cared as long as I could support myself adequately (and my needs are fairly simple anyway as i do not drink, smoke, drive, drug, nor have any ongoing relationships).
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...