Growing up and going through 13 years of school it is pretty much inscribed in our brains that once we graduate high school, we go to college. It’s the flow of events. Senior year is spent filling out college applications and eagerly awaiting responses, determining where you’ll end up for the next four years. Just because this is the norm doesn’t make it right. College is different than high school. We’re given much more freedom. Freedom to pick our classes, set our career path, eat whatever we want, go to sleep whenever we want. While college might seem like it’s all fun and games, it’s not and it’s not meant for everyone.

To those who have chosen to not attend college kudos to you. Kudos to knowing that it would only be a waste of time and money when you already have your life planned out and your dream life doesn’t require more than a high school diploma. Although it is a well-known fact that a degree from a prestigious college or university opens the doors for almost everyone it is not something that needs to be forced down someone’s throat. Although someone may be smart and have goals, it doesn’t necessarily mean college is the way for them to achieve them. Those people would much rather spend their time making money rather than wasting it on college or painting in the hopes of becoming an artist.

Some of the most well-known people didn’t make it in college. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of facebook is a known college dropout, along with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. These three men prove that without college it is possible to still be successful in life.

I’m not here writing this article trying to encourage you to drop out of college or to convince you college isn’t right for you, but I’m writing to so you know it is ok to not want to go or to feel that it isn’t right for you. College is a hard thing, even for people who are motivated. Not wanting to be in college, yet being forced to go isn’t going to do you any good either. Without any motivation, you’re not going to do well. You don’t need a college degree to make it in life. Don’t feel pressured into needing to go. A four-year college degree isn’t necessary for tomorrow’s well-paying jobs. College isn’t for everyone and that is more than ok.