| Although I see it on a daily basis, during the time I spent | | | | they have on it. |
| as a substitute teacher, I often met teenagers that | | | | Now that you know where you want to go and how |
| didn't see the value in higher education. Most of my | | | | you'll pay for it, pick a major. Sounds easy enough but |
| assignments were in low-income neighborhoods and | | | | it can be a pain in the neck if you don't know yourself. |
| it's easy to see why they would be pessimistic about | | | | Do a little self-evaluation of you. Realize what type of |
| college. It's hard to see how important something is | | | | person you are, and plug that into a major you see |
| when you don't see it up close everyday within the | | | | yourself working at for the next several years. Ask |
| home. However, should a child make a major decision | | | | your friends what they see you doing in a career as |
| not to go to college without being able to discuss it | | | | an adult. You'll be surprised at how much your friends |
| with someone first? Shouldn't they know exactly what | | | | know about you that you don't even realize yet! Take |
| it is they are giving up on before they even get | | | | your time with choosing a major. Don't jump into any |
| started? They should be looking at college as a | | | | old thing and don't take too long choosing either. Years |
| foundation for a building block to their lives, not as just- | | | | will pass you by faster than you can imagine. |
| school. | | | | You may decide to work during school. That is totally |
| I had the unfortunate experience of trying to talk to my | | | | up to you. If you need to work, you'll have to arrange |
| family about college and having them literally look the | | | | your schedule around it. If you don't have to work- |
| other way when I would try to ask questions about | | | | don't. Spend that extra time studying and getting A's- |
| what I should take up or if I should stay on campus or | | | | not partying! You'll get through those college years and |
| not. I know what that feels like to have to navigate | | | | the time will fly! |
| your way through life without a compass. This article is | | | | So lets fast-forward to graduation day. You have |
| for those who think that they don't want to go to | | | | successfully finished school, and landed a job working |
| college and have no one to talk to about it and no real | | | | entry-level in your field. What now? Well just take it |
| reason not to go. Please read this first! | | | | slow. Learn all that you can about the job that school |
| Choosing to go to college is a wise choice. No matter | | | | never taught you. Get some years in on that job, |
| where you live, you can choose to go locally or out of | | | | make some friends, build some relationships and live |
| state. Once you pick a college that is right for you, | | | | life. Grow with the company and grow professionally. |
| decide on funding. Please don't believe the hype about | | | | The more stability you have, the easier your life will be. |
| not being able to find money for college. I went to | | | | Pay your bills on time (which should be no problem |
| school for six years on a federal loan, and here I am | | | | because you have a good stable job), Get a place of |
| two degrees later, happily educated! Don't worry about | | | | your own, maybe get married one day and have a |
| having to pay it back, the monthly bill you will receive to | | | | child or two. If you do these things in this order instead |
| pay back your tuition far outweighs the life you | | | | of the other way around, you'll make things easier for |
| would've had without your degree. However, if you | | | | yourself and better for your kids. |
| can get free money, do it. If you feel you can qualify | | | | Now, which life sounds better? The one I've just |
| for a scholarship or grant of some sort, apply. There is | | | | described, or the life with one low paying job after |
| nothing like a free ride through college. Go to | | | | another and always wishing you had more? |
| bookstores and local libraries to see what information | | | | |