Trying to figure out what is best for you after High School? Is it College or work? Are you under a lot of stress and pressure? Everybody is different. This is a big step in your life and you want to make sure it is the right fit for you.

Do what you think is best for you and not what other people want you to do. This is your life not theirs. You are the only one who can make a decision based on what you need and want in life.

“Right now, students who applied to college are making decisions. Some are deciding whether they are really ready to attend college next year, with the option to possibly defer (take a year off before going). Most are weighing financial aid packages to decide what schools are realistic options financially, and where they will ultimately decide to attend. Some are sad about not being accepted where they had hoped to go. Families are part of this conversation.” Said Jane Dudley, School Counselor.

If college is the right path for many and part of the American dream, what reasons might a person have when deciding to go straight into the workforce instead? Most of the time money is the main factor for families when deciding to send their kids to college.

A big reason people choose not to go to college is that they don’t know what they want to study. As a senior in high school just about to graduate, I’m still not sure what I want to study and at points feel pressured into figuring it out.

“Students who have not applied to college might be doing the following:

Applying for jobs; some already have jobs and plan to take on more hours when school gets out. Some plan to travel or move somewhere else to find work.” Said Jane Dudley.

As being a student about to graduate in two months I’m going through this exact same process. While it’s not an easy task to do on our own, it’s less stressful to know you can have someone there such as a school counselor to guide you through the long process.

I had the chance to communicate with a school counselor here at Harwood Union to get her thought process on what students are deciding to do and the steps that are involved to get to that point.

 I soon discovered that I didn’t need to know right away what I wanted to study, but I wanted to have some idea so that I didn’t feel like I would be wasting money and time by going to college.  

“What everyone has in common is a sense of BIG Transition! It is a big accomplishment to graduate from high school! Some people have a clear sense of where they are headed in life, while others will take some time to explore and figure it out. It is all ok, no matter how one goes about it. We have an amazing class graduating from Harwood, and each person is unique.” Said Jane Dudley.

College may not be for everyone, but many believe that it is important to be a hard worker and dedicated when going through life. The sky’s the limit.