HOW DO I KNOW IF COLLEGE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
DISCLAIMER: College may not be right for everybody and that is okay. However, that does not necessarily mean you will not have to complete additional schooling/training. It is okay if you do not want to go to college, however you should at least try it out for free with dual enrollment classes!
THE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE ASKING YOURSELF
WHAT SUBJECTS AM I INTERESTED IN
Take a moment to reflect on what courses you most enjoy in school, the ones that you find easy to pay attention to. Are there any career paths that directly relate to the subject? If so, do they require a college degree? For example, if someone really likes math, there are many careers for people who enjoy math such as engineering, statistics, computer science, etc. However, many of these jobs do require a college degree, therefore it may be in your best interest to think about college. On the other hand, if you like P.E. or working with your hands, maybe consider trade school for welding or becoming a dental hygienist! You can use this link for a free career aptitude test (however, these are just suggestions/guesses. These are not end all answers.
HOW DO I LEARN BEST
THINK about how you learn best, are you someone who can sit down and teach themself how to do something, or are you someone who needs a little more instruction. If you are someone who needs a little more instruction, college may be the right fit for you, but think on the smaller side in terms of population to improve the student: educator ratio. Do you like to be in charge? A lot of managerial positions require some form of college degree, so that is another thing to consider if you want to work your way up the chain of a corporation. In addition, do you learn by reading and writing or by doing? If you're someone who learns by completing projects/doing, trade school may be a better option for you and it tends to teach via hands-on experiences.
AM I GOING TO COLLEGE FOR ME
Like we said before, going to college isn’t the path for everyone. We are all unique with our own talents, interests, and passions- of course, there isn’t going to be a one-size-fits-all option! A college degree is not the only way to have a successful future and well-paying job (check out our Trade School tabs for job options and salaries). That being said, a college degree earns on average $32,000 more a year if you only have a high school diploma and pursue nothing else. Your happiness, fulfillment, and passion are factors to consider when picking a path for yourself. If college doesn’t feel right, there are other options to consider.
WHAT KIND OF TIMING DO I WANT IN LIFE
WHEN people think of college they typically think of 4-year bachelor's degrees. However, there are many paths that people can take. For example, if you want to be a nurse did you know that you can get a two-year nursing degree and then work full time while the hospital you work at pays for your classes in order for you to get your bachelor's? This may take more than the typical four years, but it is very common. Also, there are master's degrees which usually take 1-2 years after you graduate a 4-year program. Most trade school programs are equivalent to an associate's degree in the sense that they can take 1-3 years to complete based on course load and time committed. YOU need to THINK about how much time you want to put into your career, and what you want to get out of it.
DO I HAVE A FINANCIAL PLAN
LIFE COSTS MONEY. There is no way to get around it, you need to have a plan in regards to how you are going to pay for life. In addition, you are going to need to also think about retirement. The sooner you start saving, the more the interest will compound aka the bank gives you free money for not spending it or your stock values increase (if you have no clue what I'm talking about check out the Top 10 money tips I wish I knew in High school page). Do you know how to budget? Do you know how to create a financial payment plan and take out loans if you want to go to college? These are all things you need to think about. Yes, college costs money, however, you tend to make more with a college degree. So whatever your financial dreams are in life, make sure you start to create a plan for them now.
If you can’t pay for college without taking out loans, you are in the same boat as many other students. However, it is also important to consider how you will be able to pay off your loans with your eventual job goal. Use websites like salary.com and payscale.com to help you determine average salaries for jobs that you are interested in. If you may have a hard time paying off your loans, consider if there is a way to reach your job goals in a non-traditional way. Can you get the job of your dreams through experience, job-specific certification, on-the-job training, or trade school?
WHAT EXPERIENCES DO I WANT
For many students, attending a four-year university is also an experience that shapes their young adult life. For students that choose to go to college away from home, there are countless new experiences such as forming social connections, adjusting to new responsibilities, networking, finding new hobbies, experimenting, etc. You of course do not need to attend college to have these experiences, but attending a college surrounded by thousands of other students your age from all over the world is certainly a unique experience.
We hope you had the chance to think through these questions and found them helpful. There is no need to stress about your answers to any of these. Be honest with yourself and remember the questions are simply meant to get you thinking about what might be best for you and your future.
If you have any questions, feel free to send them out way!