<p>"No cut rule" at S's college. They don't win often, but they seem to handle defeat with calmness. They clearly do sports, academic teams, & musical groups for love of the activity and stress relief.</p>
<p>I agree that learning to win and lose is excellent experience for anyone. My son's "sport" is Scholars Bowl an it's an amzingly positive experience with the world's best coach. They have 3 short practices a day and it brightens up every single day for my son. Learning teamwork is possible in a bunch of different activities.</p>
<p>I can relate to this topic in a big way. S1 is the high achiever attending our big state u on full scholarship, has known for years what he wanted to do.</p>
<p>S2 (h.s. Jr.) is an average student. He's a good kid who has no real idea what he wants to do but it may involve attending a cc and getting a degree in some kind of trade. It's what interests him the most and where his talents lie. H and I (both college grads) would fully support this if he chooses it.</p>
<p>People have already started asking where S2 is going to college and will he follow in S1's footsteps, etc. When I say he hasn't decided if he will go to college, the look on their faces pretty much says "ahhh, a slacker...too bad."</p>
<p>I hate this for him and really don't want him to feel pressured ( by suburban high sch. expectations) into attending college if he really has no desire to do so. </p>
<p>Both S's played competitve sports and agree that high school football taught them more than most classroom experiences.</p>
<p>Around here plumbers make lots of money and the work cannot be outsourced. Many start their own businesses and become wealthy. For a kid without strong academic interests, there are plenty of great career choices which do not benefit from a college education.</p>
<p>^^ Others around here who seem to do quite well are home builders. I've seen many of them living in >$1M homes.</p>
<p>^^^ Thanks for saying that. That is why we will support his decision if he goes that route. We don't think not getting a bachelor's degree =failure. H (an engineer) works in a nuclear power plant that would have to shut down without the skilled tradesmen helping "keep the lights on". They are some of the most knowledgeable people out there. They make good money doing it too. One of them retired from the Co. and has now come back to work on a contract basis. He gets $90/hr. for reg. time and $130/hr. overtime!</p>
<p>Many in these professions are nearing retirement age and with so many more kids attending college these days, there will be a lot of opportunities in those areas for those who choose not to go to a univ. We believe S2's inate mechanical abilities will stand him in good sted in the future. Guess we just have to ignore what others think.</p>
<p>I was kind of proud of my S when during his college application process last fall, he decided that he would not pursue any of his reach schools (Stanford, Northwestern, Cornell) despite the fact that he had been talking about Stanford for years, and all his friends were applying to similar schools. This was a kid who struggled through AP/IB classes in hs but still says he would do it all over again; also somewhat young for his age emotionally and socially compared to other kids and far from independent (has very mild Aspergers). What he told me that I thought was very insightful was that he knew that for him, school is just a means to an end, and that he may never be rich or famous, and although he knows he is smart he didn't think he was a creative thinker but more of a hands-on learner, and so he didn't want to keep competing academically with really smart and creative kids who were all valedictorians/would-be valedictorians. He also has some very specific ideas of what his college experience will be and it includes a lot more than academics. This coming from a kid with a very black/white personality and for whom I was always concerned about how to buffer things when his balloons did pop...</p>
<p>Of course the parent in me will probably never let him settle for less than he is capable of either--and will also make sure that college is not TOO much fun.</p>
<p>Inate mechanical abilities are a Godsend. Your son will have his pick of many great trades. Around here, there are some technical schools kids attend in lieu of cc and the job placement services are excellent. The kid down the street is an auto technician & makes six figures I know two plumbing contractors who are dying for smart, trainable kids to take on as apprentices. Skilled trades are wonderful options. Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>scansmom
Your S sounds wonderfully perceptive. His mild aspergers may hinder his ability to read social cues, but he certainly has self understanding.</p>