For some recent high school grads, college is the best choice after high school. They are prepared to work harder than ever to earn a degree because they know the direction they want to be headed in. For others, it is not quite that simple.

Some people had a hard time in high school, or didn’t know exactly what they wanted to do therefore they didn’t go to college right away. Some people don’t attend right away to save money. Some people just don’t have the motivation to go to a postsecondary school, and you know what? That is perfectly okay. Some people are happy living their life without a college degree, and some people are still finding their path in life. Some people live to be 50 years old before they find their passion and turn it into a career. Some people just go with the wind and see where life takes them, and that is okay too.

In this day and age, there is a lot of pressure on kids just out of high school to go to college right away, and if you don’t, “You will never be successful.” If you drop out of college too, you are automatically a “failure.” People will often tell you their opinions about not going to college, and how much of a “failure” you’ll be. People will also judge your decisions, and ultimately, it takes a hit to your self-esteem and confidence. Whoever it is that is forcing their opinions and beliefs on you, ignore them. Your life, your decisions.

I am sure we all know somebody who has chosen not to go to college, or dropped out of college. I’m sure we mean well when this topic comes up in conversation, but before we criticize their life and career choices, we need to take a step back. We need to stop and think, “Is what I’m about to say to this person going to benefit them? Is it advice or is it criticism? After hearing what I have to say, is this person going to leave this conversation feeling better or worse?” These are important questions that we need to answer ourselves before we comment on others’ choices because after all, it’s not our decision. We can say a lot of things about what other people should be doing, but the lesson here is that what’s right for us isn’t going to be right for others, even people we love. There are many different people who live in the world, and there are many different ways to process things. Whether that means academically, socially or mentally, there is no wrong way to live your life, and yes, that means that college is not a prerequisite to being successful.

My dad recently told me something that I think was crucial for me to hear, especially when I considered taking a semester off. “There is no wrong answer. You have to do what makes you happy.” If being happy is waiting a few years before going off to college, then that’s what happiness is for you. If being happy means quitting your job and finding a new one, one you are truly, madly, passionate about, then so be it. Happiness means something different to everyone, and believe it or not, it can be achieved without attending college.

Even though we may think we are helping someone by telling them what we think about their decisions,

it is so important to realize that our opinions aren’t necessary. We don’t need to comment on every single choice other people make, and we don’t need to make our opinions known unless we are asked to give them. We need to be able to support the people around us 100 percent, no matter what decisions they make and be able to keep our opinions to ourselves when we really don’t need to share them. So the next time someone makes a decision opposite of your beliefs, think about what you’re about to say, and question whether you want to be a person of judgement or a person of acceptance.