How can I help my friend?

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>I want to help my best friend get a college degree, but I'm not sure if he's determined enough to do the hard work. I've know him for years, we went to elementary school together but different high schools. Both Catholic private, but my high school definetely had a better academic program and a higher percantage of students going to top colleges. Both of us always talked about going to college. Though, he never performed well enough to show he actually wants to go. I just finished my freshman year of college so I know I'm on the right path. However, I am highly concerned for my friend. He's always been an average C student. As a result, he literally almost did not get his high school degree (though his high school was ridiculously stricter than mine). </p>

<p>I was fortunate enough to get a grant from my college so I can afford it, but he on the other hand currently finds it very difficult to cover college tuition. Therefore, he plans on going to a community college first. Although I'm still suspicious about his reasons, he did even attend the local community college this whole year. He told me it was money issues and other important reasons, but I still feel like he could have tried harder to enroll. He's still having money issues now, but he's fortunately starting school this fall at the community college. </p>

<p>He's completed the most important step by attending college, but he has not considered what he needs to do next. He hasn't created a "plan" yet, which is obviously very crucial. He has not decided what his major should be. I'm trying to help him decide right away so he doesn't spend a whole decade in a community college. He also doesn't know where to go after, but he told me most likely a state school. I feel guilty for not helping him much, but I do have to study in college. </p>

<p>Also, I'm guessing his high school did not give him much proper guidance in the whole college process, which makes me extremely angry at that school. I know tons of people who went to his high school and several ended up in a community college for years or did not go to college at all. I want to motivate him, but I can only go so far because he's the one who really needs to want it. I'm not the most ambitious person in college, and I don't have a huge passion for learning either. However, I'm still in college partly because I like what I'm learning and because I feel the need to get a college degree to succeed in life. I'm very concerned for him right now because of the economy and other obstacles, and I just hope he does not go down the wrong path. I apologize if this post is too long, but I would really appreciate it if anybody can give me some advice. Thank you!</p>

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<p>he doesn't really need a plan NOW. He should just do his general eds and try to figure out what he wants to be. CC's aren't a bad thing. Just be happy he's going and don't stress him out.</p>

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<p>Yea that's true, but doesn't he need to contact the school to see which classes would fulfill his general eds? I mean I've personally known people who've spent years at a CC, and I definetely do not want him to end up that way.</p>

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<p>Well, I mean this in the nicest possible way, but lay off of him. It's sweet you care so much, but it's his life. If you really want to help, tell him to talk to his CC's counselors and start making a plan. He doesn't need to know what to do right now. I don't either and most kids who do go to college (even the 'best') might not know what they want to do or will change their minds. The more you push him, the more it'll likely frustrate him. </p>

<p>Almost everybody has money issues with going off to college. I know plenty -well, okay, only 1- of colleges that offer scholarships to students coming from CC's. </p>

<p>There's also a really awesome thread somewhere on here of people who went to CC's and then on to Ivies, even. Don't stress about his life. Like you said, you have plenty to do yourself. </p>

<p>Oh, and the prob you mention about not wanting him to spend a decade at a CC? Tell him to talk to a counselor, a professional who's paid to do this, and let them plan what they want to accomplish. Be supportive. That's all. You can't make anyone go to college, and it is a huge waste of money for the person to go to just because 'it's the right thing to do'. </p>

<p>Let him figure out his own reasons.</p>

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<p>doesn't he need to contact the school to see which classes would fulfill his general eds?
They usually consist of: English Comp 1 & 2, US History, humanities (psychology, public speaking, etc), and the classes like that. If he gets a course listing, it usually will tell him what they are, or he can look and just see which ones show up for all the degrees. If you are going to college too, you should know what they are. Those usually take a year, so he should have plenty of time.</p>