need help with college

[Jetsfan321]

Hi, i am 17 years old and a senior in high school. Throughout my highschool career i have been a straight A student and never got into to much trouble.

 

So far this year has been the worst year of school. Everyone is so excited about leaving home and going away to college exept me.

I cant handle the pressure that everyone is putting on me. Especially my mom, she expects me to amount up to something that i fear i cannot become. I dont feel that i need to go to college and when i jokingly briing it up my mom says that i "would be missing out on the best times of my life"

 

I have tried numerous times talking to my guidance councelor about maybe taking a year off or even attending a community college and then transfering out but i cant bring myself to do it. Deep down i think that I have a fear of dissappointing my loved ones more than disappointing myself. it has been a problem throughout my whole life.

 

I know that it may seem that i am just a whining "no-one-understands-me" teenager but if anyone has any advice for me, on anything it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Cognitive_Canine]

College really isn't that big of a deal.

 

You are worried that you'll do badly?

 

Do you connect your self esteem to your grades?

[redhearts]

Take a year off and do what exactly? With what money as well? Most people can't make up their minds because there are so many careers to choose from and that will be your life time career. Well it'll cost a few thousand, so it would have to be something you stick to. Associate degree, you can just do that at a community college take two years to figure out what you want to do. For most its longer, for some they known since they were 13 after making up their mind and going through a few decisions.

[WizardofOz]

College will be the best time of your life. I don't know your family situation but it sounds like you are working for your parents and not yourself. Under no circumstances should you take off a year because of this. You will surely regret it later on when you see all your friends off at school having fun and later on you will see them graduated a year ahead of you and moving on with their life. It will also result in a year where you will either be making no money or far less than you would if you were holding a degree.

 

If I were you I would set my own goals and then strive to achieve them. Don't allow your parents to ruin this great time in your life. College isn't only about getting straight A's and studying. You should also be experiencing the greatest social time of your life. I'd recommend going to a college out of town so that you can live your own life and not allow your parents to intervene.

 

I know I said it above but I'll say it again in slightly different words: College is all about finding yourself and discovering who you really are. Don't let your parents decide who you will be in life.

 

Good luck.

[alli]

College is fun. You learn a lot, not only classroom-type but the weekend-type. Ie, you learn how many beers you can handle without puking & having a hangover! Well, not everyone gets into that much partying; I didn't.

 

What is it that makes you feel like you shouldn't go to a 4-year? Obviously you don't have to worry about flunking out much. Are you afraid to go off on your own, away from your parents & hometown? You can go to a college nearby & visit on weekends. Keep in mind that most of your friends are probably going to college too; they won't be around to hang out if you stay home.

 

I considered taking a year off, but I'm glad I didn't. If you don't have anything in particular to do; you are putting your life on hold for no reason. It will be harder for you to get into the swing of school if you have that much of a break. College costs a lot, but a lot of things you would already have to buy anyway. Food, housing, clothes, etc.

 

I think you are hesitant because you question if the right thing to do is to do what is expected of you. But in this case, what is expected of you is right. You will learn so much more at college, not only classroom stuff but you will learn a lot more about the world, about people, about yourself. You will have that degree that says "I made a commitment and followed through with it" and you will be in a much better position to get a job later that pays enough that you won't have to struggle just to survive.

[PoisonIvy]

Let me just say, at the end of high school I was feeling similarly. I wanted to go to college... eventually. I wanted to do something else, try other things before I went to college. Travel and see the world, volunteer in a foreign country, help people, work. Something to go between school and school.

 

But, it didn't pan out that way. I went, and now, halfway through, I'm burning out and wanting to take a break. My advice is that if you're going to take a break, do it before going to college. There's a lot of junk to wade through if you decide to do it partway through.

[Sophie84]

The "college experience" depends largely on the student and his/her school and major of choice. For some it's about partying and social networking, etc....for others it's four years of stress and hard work. For most it's a little of both. In any case, a college degree is invaluable these days, especially with the current state of the economy. It's harder to get a job without some sort of degree. Unless you have a very specific plan of what you would do if you took a break, I'd suggest staying in school. Maybe you could even apply for a study abroad program if you want to travel. I think the best time to take a break is after you finish college (undergraduate)...then at least you have a degree under your belt and hopefully a better idea of what you're interested in / what you want to pursue.

 

Good luck! And remember to always strive for what will make YOU happy, not anyone else.