All our lives we are told we have to graduate high school, go to college and choose a career. But why do we let other people tell us what we have to do with our lives? It is pretty much put into our minds that if we don't go to college, we won't amount to anything. That, however, is simply not true. You can become something without a degree. No, it may not be as high paying, but if it's what makes you happy, then that should be all that matters. Some people jump right on the college bandwagon, while some take a break in between. I went straight to college and honestly, now I wish I'd have taken a break in between the two.
Truth be told, some people just aren't cut out for college; some barely make it through high school. College is nothing like high school. There is no one to make you go to class, no one to make you do your homework, it's all on you. High school is so easy compared to college. I look back now and wonder why I complained so much about high school. College is like a sleepover with your friends every night, with way too much junk food and staying up way too late. Yes, this is of course fun, but it is not always best for your education. College is a lot of work, when you aren't in class, chances are you have homework or studying you could be doing rather than sleeping or watching Netflix. Though, I know Gossip Girl sounds so much better than all of that.
For me, college just seemed impossible. I would have so much motivation at the beginning and then just lose it all and not want to do anything. Eventually, I just wanted to give up and not even try anymore. On top of that, there's always things that life wants to throw at you, just to make college that much more stressful. As if it wasn't stressful enough already.
It is OK to decide college isn't for you. It's not for everyone.
You can be successful without a degree.
Or maybe you just decide college isn't for you right now, that's OK too. Go back when you're ready.
I recently decided just that. It's hard to work and go to school full time. If you're doing it successfully, go you, but I couldn't. I have decided to start working in a nursing home and go to classes to get my CNA. After I plan to work towards my RN and work in Pediatrics. It might be a few years away, but I'm OK with that because I feel this is how I will be able to achieve my dream and get my license.
You may frown upon others deciding school isn't for them, but you aren't in their shoes. You don't know whats going on in their lives or how much they struggle everyday in their classes. You don't know how many break downs they have a day and how many times they've pushed themselves to their breaking point and just cannot do it anymore. You don't know how much being away from their family hurts them. Everyone is different and that's OK, but don't judge someone just because you can do it and they cannot.
Life doesn't make anything easy on you, but in the long run, it teaches you all the lessons you need to know. Just keep your head up and don't let anyone tell you the decisions you're making with your life are wrong. Even if you make mistakes that's OK. You're just learning from them.
To those of you in college, good luck. To those of you who decided it wasn't for you, you can do whatever you put your mind to.