College Out Of High School is a Waste of Money

[cschin4]

My feeling is that going to college right after HS is the best time to do so. I find that those who "take a year off, etc" many of them never do go to college because "real life" starts to happen and they have bills, rent, car payment and on and on and then college seems unreachable. Then a few kids come along and their life gets so busy they don't have time. And, so I have talked to more than a few who have regretted doing so.
I went to college immediately. And of course, at 18 I didn't know what I wanted to do. Who knows what they want to do at any stage of life? And, just because you might know now doesn't mean you won't change your mind down the road either. I don't really see how someone is going to "prepare" you for college. It is called growing up. THat is how you prepare, by going and doing it.
And, I think we are overselling the "find what you love" mantra. Yes, you should look for careers that are appealing to you. However just because I may love playing tiddlywinks, doesn't mean I am going to major in it. Obviously life is a balance and you should find things that interest you but also that are marketable as well. As for "loving my job", I have a great career. It pays well, I have flexible hours and the job itself is interesting and challenging. Do I "love" it? No. I love my family and my dog. Jobs come and go. If I have to change careers for whatever reason I will. I can do any kind of job as long as it helps me earn a living.

[disneysteve]

And of course, at 18 I didn't know what I wanted to do. Who knows what they want to do at any stage of life? And, just because you might know now doesn't mean you won't change your mind down the road either. I don't really see how someone is going to "prepare" you for college.

I agree. Many college students start school not knowing quite what they want to do. That's part of the point of college - learn about a bunch of different things and find what interests you. That's why many students change majors during their college years. They go in thinking they'd like to do one thing and then find something else that appeals to them much more.

I don't see how putting off college for a year or two would change that dynamic.

[Scanner]

If you skip college, you know what will happen - hormones are at a peak and you either end getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant.

Then, you can cross off college for 10-20 years.

[kork13]

If you skip college, you know what will happen - hormones are at a peak and you either end getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant.

Then, you can cross off college for 10-20 years.

I see we have an optimist in the group... ^_^