When you’re a senior in High School, everyone is always pressuring you about what college you’re going to or what are you going to school for. What if you don’t want to go to college? Then it’s a big debate on whether you’ll be successful. You don’t have to go to college to be successful, every job does not require a degree! Many of the college students on my social media often vent about how they just want to come home, between all of the stress college brings in general and with all of the work- they just feel like college isn’t for them. Most of my college friends are only attending school because that’s what their parents expect and of course everyone wants to make their parents proud. If you’re at school and you don’t really have the motivation and you really don’t want to be there, why waste the money?

Many jobs pay fairly well and don’t require a degree. You could be an equipment operator, a commercial pilot, a postmaster or a mail superintendent, etc.   Don’t let anyone, not even your parents, make long term life decisions for you because, in the end, you’ll regret it. Many people would rather work because they can’t imagine being broke and without all of their needs and wants being met. College is something that you have to put your all into, all of your time, all of your devotion, and all of your money!

Being broke is one thing that most college students find so hard to adjust with. Imagine working 30-40+ hours a week and being financially stable and then going to college and working little to no hours and not being able to provide for yourself in the way that you normally do. Your motivation is out of the window because you’re not used to being broke and then you get to thinking; is this what I want to do for three more years of my life?

Many college kids feel alone because there is so much that goes on in such a short period of time. You’re new to living on your own, you don’t have your parents there to guide you in every step of the way, you’re surrounded by so many new people.  According to Foster.edu, 30% of college students reported that stress had negatively affected their academic performance. 85% of college students reported they felt overwhelmed by everything they had to do at some point.  There are parties, and you want to have fun but you know that you have an essay due at midnight – the stress just doesn’t go away.

If you feel like you would be better off making money, go for it! You just might be that person that’s more successful than your classmate that spent four years for a degree. You just have to have dedication and motivation to do whatever it is that you want to do. Never let anyone feel like you won’t be somebody or be successful just because you go a different route. Do what’s going to make you happy and never look back!