Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

If so - why? What did you do instead?

did it help or hinder?

Any thoughts?

TIA!

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

well, I did go to college right after high school, but I DID delay going to grad school for 4 years.

in that time, I 'tried my career choice (biochemist) on for size'..... and was a lab technician (basically doing the grubby work in a lab for peanuts). the experience was priceless, becuase it confirmed for me that I was meant to be a reasearcher, and not a physician

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Posted by marriedinportjeff

well, I did go to college right after high school, but I DID delay going to grad school for 4 years.

in that time, I 'tried my career choice (biochemist) on for size'..... and was a lab technician (basically doing the grubby work in a lab for peanuts). the experience was priceless, becuase it confirmed for me that I was meant to be a reasearcher, and not a physician

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I did right after HS, but DH didn't - here's his response:

"It all depends on the person. When I was graduating at 17, I did not have the desire, money, or drive to go to college. So I joined the Marine Corps. While there I learned valuable skills that allowed me to get a good job afterwards. Now I have a full time job and I take classes full time too towards my bachelors degree. The five years in the military gave me time to grow up and realize that not only did I need, but I also wanted a higher education.

"As an adult it ***** to have to worry about school and work. But if I had the chance to go back in time, I would not do it differently. It worked out well for me, because I did get to see more of the world, meet many different types of people, and mature."

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I started school but I quit in the middle on my first semester because I didn't have enough money to go to school without working. I have been working ever since. I did take classes at night after I had established my career. I work in technology so I don't think it has personally inhibited me. In IT, experience and certification matter more than the degree.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I did but waited for grad school b/c I didn't know what I wanted to do. And honestly, I think waiting for some kids is a good thing. DH and I agree that if our child doesn't show the interest to give them a year. But they can't bum around. They need to do something to find their interests. Work, get experience, figure out what they like.

Honestly, very few people know at 17 or 18 what they want to do with the rest of their lives.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Me! Well, not really....I graduated HS 1/2 year early...instead of start school right away, I was taking classes at Joffrey Ballet school in the city. From there, I went on to the Richmond Ballet in VA. The deal I made with my parents was that if I didn't get signed by the Fall, I would come back and start school. I didn't get signed so I came back and began Suffolk. I got my associate's degree and then went to Post, where I lived on campus and met DH. In my case, it worked out great. I worked ahead to graduate college in January so I guess the time worked itself out. I also loved Suffolk (Brentwood.) I had great teachers. A few even came to see me dance in some performances; I always continued with dance for the joy of it.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I went to College right away, but I dearly wish that I hadn't. I wasn't really ready to be responsible for my own academics, I wasn't responsible enough to take any of it seriously and I truly feel that had it not been the done thing where I was from, I would have been better off taking a year off to work, or to volunteer and maybe find myself a little bit more and learn more about who I was.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I went for a year and a half to Nassau and wasted my parents' money. I wasn't ready yet. I started working full time after that in retail and realized that I DID NOT want to do that for the rest of my life. So, I decided to go back part time. It took me about 10 years to get my BBA and MBA, but it was worth it. I appreciated it more going part time and working for it. I actually miss school and I'm dying to go back for my DBA or PhD.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

i did... but my dad didn't. and now he own his own garden center making over $200,000 a year! so hes doing better than most people who have gone to college.
i just think it depends on the person. college isn't for everybody. and i think the more focus you put on college, the more it causes that person to flounder around with no career focus. my cousin for example-- hes a hard worker, and interested in doing things with his hands ( building, art,etc). his dad is a builder. when my cousin was little, my aunt was so intent that he was going to go to college and be a business person, that she never let him spend time building things in the shop with his dad. if she had done that, he would have learned a great skill that could have landed him a great job.... but instead, now hes 22, with no real focus in his life.
there are plenty of good careers out there that don't require a college degree- they just require determination and drive.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Message edited 11/28/2007 8:13:38 AM.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Me... Well actually I did go to college but I left shortly after. Best & worst thing I ever did. Best being that I was able to enter the workforce really early in life, hense I was able to have 4 years worth of experience before my peers began working. My experience got me where I am today.

Worse thing because I live with regret every day of my life.

I missed out on the whole college life experience
I was never able to study abroad
I'm in an industry I hate
I despise Corporate America- Its not for me.
I'm tired of working- I want to retire already! - j/k

Yes, I could always go back to school. I just dont have the "drive". It is something I lack. Without drive, I would waste my time & money. If I had to do it all over again, I would have went to school for graphic design / photography and do what my heart really wants me to do..

As for now... I'm stuck working for a bank.

Oh well.. it pays the bills.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I went to college right after hs and the dropped out the first semester. I went back the second semester and then stopped going to classes after spring break. I transfered to another school for the following fall and I went for about a month before dropping out altogether and getting a full time job.

I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for school. I couldn't be bothered doing assignments, going to class - none of it mattered to me. I guess I wasn't mature enough.

After working for a few years, I decided to go back to school (and do really, really well) because I hated the implication that I didn't go to college because I wasn't smart enough. I went back to school when I was 24 and actually applied myself. It took me 8 years to graduate, because I went part time for the first 6 years but in 2006 I graduated Magna Cum Laude.

I still do the same thing I did when I started going to school - legal secretary - I just make a lot more money for the same job. And the people I work with don't assume I'm stupid.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I did not. What I did do is go to school to train to be an E.M.T. right out of HS. That is something I wanted to do since I was a little kid.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I did, as did my brother, but he probably should have worked for a while and figured out what he wanted to do. He ended up on the 7 year plan. Which my mom says is why she has a full head of gray hair now.

It worked out, he has a great career and is really doing well there, but it took a while for him to figure out what he wanted.

to you and your dsd.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

My parents insisted that I go to college right after high school. I wasnt in to it so I ended up going for about 2 years, switched my major and eventually stopped going. Now I am paying back on student loans that I never even got a degree with!

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

nope, took a year off..worked and decided what i wanted to do...i didnt want to go go college and not have any clue what i wanted to do-n then just drop out. it happened to 95% of my friends

so i went to wtc-a private college where you take classes just for ur major 9mine was fashion design....6 years pass...and im not doin fashion design anymore LOL

25K wasted!!

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Posted by photoshopbabe

nope, took a year off..worked and decided what i wanted to do...i didnt want to go go college and not have any clue what i wanted to do-n then just drop out. it happened to 95% of my friends

so i went to wtc-a private college where you take classes just for ur major 9mine was fashion design....6 years pass...and im not doin fashion design anymore LOL

25K wasted!!

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Wow ladies - thank you for your replies - its comforting to see how many were where my stepdaughter is now!

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I went to college for the first and semester right after high school. I screwed up my first semester, my parents paid for it and i didn't go to class alot. Did not do so well in a few of my classes. So they refused to pay after that. I think iwent the second semester and paid for it myself. Then i was managing 2 pet stores and going to school full time on top of working fulltime so i can afford to go to school and that did not work out so after that semester i just didnt go again. I went back another semester a few years later, then last year i took another semester but i took online courses. Still have not finished school. I have been out of HS for almost 9 years now. my DH has a very good job, i have a decent job and now i would rather start a family than go back to school. I guess it's just really not for me

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I graduated in 1987 and didnt go to college until 1996. I was so done with school when I graduated, the thought of college at that point was not in my life plan. I got a very well paying job immediately an Enginerring firm. It wasnt until years later when I was ready did I go back. I studied in a field that I was already familiar with. I now have a degree in Architectual Engineering. I don't necessarily think that College right after HS is for everyone. Sometinmes you need to go nto the real world, experience life a little. Only then can you totally appreciate why you need a college education.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

Not myself, but honestly, it's something I'm toying with when Alex is that age - I saw just way too many kids who were pushed and expected to go straight to College, when MANY of them just weren't ready emotionally or mentally, and what happened? They wasted close to $150k of their parents money not taking it seriously at all, and partying all day and night.

I would think that, by staying at home for a year and WORKING and paying your own bills that at an 18 year old would adopt a TRUE appreciation for what College can do for you, and how much of a sacrificie it is to themselves, and their parents, if they are helping to pay in some way. It's only with that kind of appreciation that they will really take advantage of all it has to offer and make something of themselves.

It's silly, but my parents required that my brothers and I work part-time in our last couple of years in high school, and work during the summers. My family was well-off, so we didn't HAVE to, but my parents really wanted to instill in us an appreciation for what College REALLY means before we went. So,, while all my peers, who never worked a day in their life, and squandered away their time and College and ended up dropping out and moving back home with mom and dad, I worked my arse off in College and graduated 23rd in my class.

So, the mere fact that your stepdaughter won't go straight to College isn't necessarily a hindrance - the real question is what will she do with her time for the next year - I say, force her to get a job, and pay rent, and pay part of the house bills. Then, and only then, will she start to understand...

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

I went to SCCC right after HS and realized that playing pool was a lot more fun then going to class. My parents told me it was school or a job so I got a full-time job thinking I'll have enough money to move out of my parent's house. HA HA HA So when my friends were finishing up their college degrees I decided that I wanted to go back to school. This time I did well because I WANTED to do well. Do I reget it? Yes I regret it for all the student loans I have right now because while my parents payed for college right out of HS they refused to pay when I decided to go back.

Re: Anyone here not go to college right after HS?

My DH was forced to go to college right after HS and it was a disaster! He failed out twice! Finally when he was 26 he went back to school (NYU) and graduated with honors!

As a high school AP, I work closely with seniors and have found that it really doesn't pay for any student to go to school when he/she isn't ready. It is frustrating for the student and then just angers the parents! I suggest a year off where the student has to hold a full time job and contribute to the household. This often gives them a piece of reality and makes them realize that min wage doesn't keep them in the style that they are used to living in. Many students will then go back to school!

That is the best thing about college! You can go whenever! Good Luck with your stepdaughter!