College

Deadlines, workloads that seem to weigh a ton, useless information, scrupulous professors, all common denominators that equal one goal: receive a thick, fancy piece of paper that signifies debt. To the corporate world, it says NEWBIE. To the working class, it says, inexperienced. To you, it says, your future.

College isn't designed for everyone. They tell you it is. Your elementary school teachers began grooming you for it from the moment you passed reading and comprehension. Your high school teachers shoved the concept down your throat all four years making you feel like a mouse in a maze that you just had to accept you would never find your way out. You must conform. You won't make it in life if you don't "stay in school."

How many years is the average American in school? Well, according to the academic standards set today, 12 years. Include a bachelors degree, that makes 16. If you want to take it to a masters, that's an easy 18. Furthermore, a doctorate degree makes a whopping 22 years of blood, sweat, and tears in school (give or take a few years depending on your choice of career).

Unless you love academics, tests, and overall mental torture, college is not the route to take. Not to mention the mounds of student debt barely touched by the federal financial aid they so "generously" provide. My point is, don't conform to the system just because Mrs. Becky your teacher from 9th grade algebra said you had to. Your life is yours. People often forget that or don't even realize it to begin with.

I have gone through my fair share of ups and downs and this and that's in my decision to attend college. The difference between me and a freshly graduated 18 year old is the fact that I made the choice to take a break after high school instead of jumping from school to more school and burning myself out three months away from an associates degree.

For a long time, I never thought I would go to college. My parents actually did the opposite of most and swayed me away from the idea. They didn't believe in it because they both attended against their will just like most everyone else. I fought them on it and wanted to go my junior and senior years of high school and then decided against it. Then, four years and some change later I finally decided on the career choice of journalism. Of course, it requires college experience.

Though there are many, many downsides to the "college experience" there are upsides if you look at it from just the right angle. Few, but they're there. For instance, you get the opportunity to grow in independence and responsibility. Hopefully, you'll learn useful information that will aid you in your future career. Friendships that could potentially last a lifetime will be made (unless you're an online courses only hermit like me who refuses to be among people unless absolutely necessary). And lastly, the parties seem to be "lit" so to speak. So exciting.

I digress, the point of this blog is to say that you should think outside the box before you jump into it. Know that your life is your own, your path is not predetermined. You are in complete control. No means no, yes means yes, and perfection can take a back seat. It takes time to find your place in this world among millions of others, but you do have a place. You have a purpose. Have patience and keep moving forward, you will find it.