Other Options Beside College
Being a first-generation student, when I was in high school I always thought that I had to go to a 4-year, elite university program to continue my education. It may seem that going directly to college after high school is your only option, but in reality, it is not! There are other paths that people take regarding their education. This page lists certain options that you can consider. We are not saying you should not attend a 4-year university (after all, earning a bachelor’s degree after studying in a university for four years typically leads you to being eligible for higher paying jobs than some of the other options we will discuss). However, if you feel immediately enrolling in a four-year university is not right for you, rest assured there are other alternatives. Ask your guidance counselor what they recommend.
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Gap Year:
This is when you decide you want to take a year off from college. Typically, people who take gap years (usually in between finishing high school and attending an institution of higher education) get jobs, volunteer, take on an internship, etc during their year off. While it is understandable that a lot of people would be hesitant towards taking a gap year, there is nothing wrong with taking one year off if you aren’t ready for school! You should go to college, spending money on tuition, when you are feeling completely ready. Others take a gap year while they are in college; a close friend of mine did this because they were not feeling mentally prepared to handle school for a while, and they felt great when they returned to university. Gap years can really help you mature and learn more about yourself. Of course, if you feel ready to go to school directly after college, go for it! The decision is all yours.
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Community college:
This can be a very smart financial decision if you cannot afford to go to a 4-year university program and cannot get sufficient financial aid. After high school, if you attend a 4-year university program, you will graduate with a bachelor’s degree here in the United States. However, if you are not sure you want a bachelor’s degree, you can always work towards getting an associate degree (this involves 2 years of schooling instead of 4) from a community college. Then, you can transfer to a four-year college/university, saving tuition in the process because you then pay for less than 4 years of university! Besides, many community colleges offer associate degrees in many technical/trade fields.
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Trade school:
These schools teach you the technical skills required to complete the tasks of a particular job, instead of 4-year universities that offer a broad education in liberal arts and sciences. These vocational programs range from 8 weeks to two years depending on the type of program. There are many occupations, such as electricians, paralegals, and pharmacy technicians, that one can be eligible for if they attend trade school.
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Other:
Other options, which you can find by researching a little through Google, include online classes, apprenticeships, military, internships, and more.