I’m a college junior with no clear path for my future. A while ago, you wouldn’t often hear that. A few generations before us, people would attend college because it was entirely their choice and they knew they had to go to school before applying for a “real world job.” Today, we attend college whether we want to or not, whether we know what we want to be or not solely for this reason: If you don’t go to college, you are automatically shamed.

At least, that’s how it is where I come from. If your parents run into old friends at the grocery store and get asked, “so where does Sarah go to school?” and they have to answer, “Oh no, she works full-time as a waitress,” most likely they’ll get the disapproving response of, “oh.” It may be different in other areas or with different families, but the expectation to enter a four-year college right after graduating high school seems to be the status quo.

Let’s look at my situation: I’ve always worked in restaurants, and only restaurants. I am a full-time student with a part-time job. Customers always ask if I’m a student, and then they ask what my major is. You would not believe the change in tone for those responses is between the two questions. To the former, they sound relieved, but to the latter, they sound surprised. It’s as though they’re glad I’m not going to be a full-time waitress for my whole life, but they’re not thrilled that I’m double majoring in Journalism and Communications. It’s as though they were expecting me to say that I’m on track to becoming a pharmacist or an engineer, because that’s how I’ll be able to pay back those student loans right after college.

Let me tell you this right now: You are allowed to choose what you do with your education and life. What you study, where you study, and when you study doesn’t matter. Youare the one who is going to school. You are the one who decides what you want to study. You are the one who decides if an Ivy League or a community college is ideal for you. You are the one who decides whether you’re ready or not right after you graduate. You should not be shamed for deciding to attend college now, later, or never because it’s your life, not anyone else’s.

That may sound idiotic to say, but sometimes people forget that it’s not their life that you’re living. Yes, certain circumstances may be your guiding force for you to make decisions, such as financial situations and family duties, but college is an option. High school isn’t. So be happy with the choices you make, because I’m perfectly content with going to school during the day and carrying trays full of drinks at night.