<p>I was thinking about it, and I realized that the only reason I'm so into going is because that's just what people do.</p>
<p>I'm a very good student, and could get in to a very good school.</p>
<p>I'm so burned out though, even in high school. How will college be any different? Same people, same societal institution.</p>
<p>And yes, I did just come back from seeing "Into the Wild."</p>
<p>I think you got a lingering effect from the movie. But I mean, it's a good thing because you have something to fall back on. Also, it's nice to get out of high school. The real world is harsh and college is a good transition to it. =] Also, my interests require further education.</p>
<p>Just my perspective.</p>
<p>I do want to go to college, to be taught by brilliant proffesors and for the whole social thing, but I would rather have it be like it is in England, with the medical school and college combined into a 7 year program. It seems like a better system for people who know what they want to do, and don't want to waste time with the whole process.</p>
<p>Let the movie sink in and leave...Then, seriously consider whether or not you want to go to college and make a decision - live with it. If you go, you might be unhappy and end up where you don't want to be. If you don't go, you might have a harder time getting where you want to be. Some colleges are a great place to go "soul searching" and figure out what you want to do. I don't advise you not attend college (whether it is part time, full time, or even a community college) to go soul searching. I think it'll be a hard time...but, hey, that might just be what you need. </p>
<p>It all depends on you.</p>
<p>Me...I'm going to college with no idea what I want to do b/c I don't think there's even a chance I'll find whatever I'm looking for where I'm at right now. How was the movie, by the way? I've been meaning to go watch it</p>
<p>I don't. I'll be honest, I'd rather just follow in my dad's footsteps and be a plumber. But I'm going because I feel like it's what I "should" do. It's pathetic, I know.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I do want to go to college, to be taught by brilliant proffesors and for the whole social thing, but I would rather have it be like it is in England, with the medical school and college combined into a 7 year program. It seems like a better system for people who know what they want to do, and don't want to waste time with the whole process.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, I think that is an asset to our system (depending on the person, ofcourse). Honestly, I don't know myself in four years when I graduate college... I'd be extremely terrified of losing interest or..of a bad career choice if we were in the British system. Our system gives us a bit of lee-way for us to grow as people and change. I consider that so important.</p>
<p>In the end, it's my life. I still got plenty of traveling and soul-searching to do. But, I think that four years is important for becoming mature. It's a cold, harsh world out there. I want to be able to handle it head on. </p>
<p>Original Poster: You could always take a gap year if you think you need to do some soul-searching before college. If you decide it's not for you, tell them so and do whatever makes you happy.</p>
<p>I do because everything is so interesting =) I want to learn more about the topic that I am interested in...</p>
<p>Yeah, really I do. Hell, I hope to be in med school for another 4-6 years or however long it takes. To be honest, I LOVE high school, homework, and working hard (I'm going to be yelled at...:/) and I'm sure I'm going to like college. I've never thought about not going to college...probably because my parents wouldn't talk to me if I didn't go. Hmm...I guess I'll avoid that "Into the Wild" movie (I don't want to get any ideas ;))</p>
<p>Oh, and I'm not a troll...I really DO like school.</p>
<p>Nerd.</p>
<p>Joking, but seriously.. How could you like doing a stupid worksheet with repetitive math grinding or reading out of the book and then filling in the blanks? I shudder just talking about it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Yeah, really I do. Hell, I hope to be in med school for another 4-6 years or however long it takes. To be honest, I LOVE high school, homework, and working hard (I'm going to be yelled at...:/) and I'm sure I'm going to like college. I've never thought about not going to college...probably because my parents wouldn't talk to me if I didn't go. Hmm...I guess I'll avoid that "Into the Wild" movie (I don't want to get any ideas )</p>
<p>Oh, and I'm not a troll...I really DO like school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>cosine, really? I mean, I hate it. I just really hate homework because it's so generic and you're just doing basically busy work unless it's reading something (not outlining). Personally, I think the best approach to school is one with readings, not mandatory outlines or homework. But, of course, I drag myself through homework and 100 question review sheets (which are basically mini-dictionaries). I don't think I'm someone who's fit for a med-school path. :P</p>
<p>I'd like to go to college for the whole social aspect and the fact that you're usually at least partially supported by your parents but have the independence you wouldnted have at home. </p>
<p>i'd actually go to the UK if it WASN'T for their narrow-ish system, because i'm not completely and totally sure what I want to do. I have an idea, but i'd like to explore other areas as well, and in the end pick something I really love instead of choosing now and realizing after a year or two that I hate it.</p>
<p>I want to dance!</p>
<p>(I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that. All I ate today was two bowls of Lucky Charms, so I'm going to blame that...)</p>
<p>Yeah I do. I wanna experience life in a different country, and not have people around me who only bother about my grades. (granted, my circle of friends and I are an exception to that Indian trend)</p>
<p>I def. dont like homework, but I really do want to go to college. I like knowing to some extent what my future will be like, and college will give me that safety net. I don't want to have to struggle to get a decent paying job. I want to learn new things. I want to leave this place and live in another state, and even travel to a foreign country. I want to meet new people with interests similar and different to my own. College will allow me to do all of this in a somewhat controlled and predictable environment. Call me mainstream, but college is def. the next step I want to take.</p>
<p>Oh, and P.S............ I wanna dance too.</p>
<p>"I don't. I'll be honest, I'd rather just follow in my dad's footsteps and be a plumber."</p>
<p>If that's what you would like to do, and if you don't want to go to college, why not become a plumber? Frankly, plumbers make more than most college grads make, and also make more than many people with graduate degrees (particularly those in the humanities). Why waste your time with college if you're not interested?</p>
<p>Perhaps you could take some business courses so as to be able to run your own plumbing business, but instead of pursuing a college education that you're not interested in, you could spend the time getting a plumber's license. </p>
<p>I can't think of any reason to get a college degree when that doesn't interest you, and when you could do financially very well by following your own interests. College isn't for everyone. And if you go into plumbing, and decide later to go to college, you'll still be able to do so.</p>
<p>To those who generally like school, but are burned out: Try taking a productive gap year. Volunteer fulltime. Work a job. Do travel that you've earned the money to pay for. Taking time off in a structured way can give you the chance to end burn-out, and help you rediscover the joys of learning in an academic environment. Most private colleges and some public ones will hold your space if you want to take a gap year after high school.</p>
<p>My son, 19, took a gap year after high school, living at home and volunteering fulltime with Americorps (Google it. Excellent program: You get responsibility, training, a stipend and $4,700 to use for college at the end of your Americorps year.). He's now in college and enjoying being there: excellent grades, very active in ECs -- with leadership roles even though he's only a freshman, has avoided lots of the silliness (like excess partying) that many freshmen stumble into.</p>
<p>Let me be honest: I've read all over, and some of you say "being taught by brilliant professors, etc. etc."
B.S! While this may be your goal, it probably won't happen. Most people who go to college will just "get by". The professors will be there to help them get by, so they (students) can pretend they have half the inspiration to learn. I know some of us really want to learn, I HATED HS, but I look forward to college. I'm willing to bet (from the experience of relatives, cousins, and reading) that "being taught by brilliant professors" will be on our own time, after the classes themselves, or grad school. I want to be a dentist and I want to go to college. I want to learn about biology and government. I don't care what everyone else is there to do...social scene is a plus but I don't plan to get consumed by it</p>
<p>Sorry, I know my post is confusing but the fact of the "system" is most people don't want to learn but just "get by", they just want the 'A', any means necessary. "Groupthink" is in full effect in the educational system. No offense to anyone, but the real geniuses are those who actually care about learning, not just about getting an 'A' or a high test score...(although, when you learn, this should also come to you).</p>
<p>Northstarmom, my dad owned a business before he got into a terrible accident and couldn't work any more. Trust me, I know I'm putting a lot of thought into it. But I'm going to go to college and do what I love to do first, and if I decide I like plumbing better then that is what I'm going to do. I'm the first in my family to go and I know that as long as I don't, I'll always wonder what could've been.</p>
<p>Does that make sense?</p>
<p>I've never even thought about not going to college.</p>
<p>^^ Hey I ran into you today. Literally. But you didn't notice :P. </p>
<p>And that's cause you're a TAG kid.</p>
<p>You're right, I didn't. I don't quite follow your reasoning, though.</p>