I Enrolled in College Ten Years After High School

Summary

A person shares their positive experience of attending college ten years after high school, emphasizing the value of work experience and financial independence before pursuing higher education.

Abstract

The author of the article describes their journey of enrolling in college a decade after completing high school, a decision influenced by financial constraints and the absence of their father. Despite initial concerns about feeling out of place, they found comfort and belonging on campus. The article highlights the importance of work experience, citing the author's jobs in gas station services and construction, which provided a realistic perspective on life and the value of money. The narrative suggests that taking time off between high school and college can lead to a more profound appreciation for education, better financial planning for college expenses, and a clearer understanding of one's career aspirations. The author advocates for community colleges as a cost-effective pathway to a four-year degree, advising students to ensure credit transferability and to consider the potential for employers to sponsor further education after obtaining an Associate's Degree. The article concludes by underscoring the benefits of real-world experience in choosing a college major and preparing for a successful career.

Opinions

The author believes that working before attending college provides valuable life lessons and a deeper appreciation for education.
They express that attending college immediately after high school can prolong a sheltered lifestyle, potentially leading to a focus on the social aspects rather than the educational responsibilities.
The author suggests that working while attending a community college can minimize student debt and lead to better financial management.
They advocate for the significance of choosing a major based on work experience and understanding potential job salaries.
The author posits that taking time off before college can be beneficial for personal growth, financial stability, and career clarity.

And I believe this is a good option for others

I could not go to college right after high school because our family had no money. My father left the family when I was young, and we ended up going on welfare because my mother had four young kids to raise. I’m proud to say my mother trained to go back to work, and we got off welfare as soon as possible with her getting a job.

I thought I would stick out like a sore thumb on campus, but that was not the case. I felt very comfortable the entire time I attended.

Working for a living

I was not smart enough to get full scholarships, so I was resigned to the fact that I was going to have to work instead of going to college. I ended up working for ten years, first at a gas station pumping gas and doing light auto mechanics, and then I worked in construction, building house additions and renovations.

By working first instead of going to college, I believe that gave me a really good lesson on what life is really like. I then appreciated college much more than I would have if I started right after high school. I was taught the value of money early on because I was receiving a paycheck, which helped me get a concept of how money worked.

Sheltered life?

While we’re young and in high school, we are pretty sheltered by our parents, as they make all our decisions that affect our life. So, you don’t really get a true concept of what life is really about. Then going to college right after high school is, in reality, an extension of still being a sheltered life.

Many colleges can lead to a party environment while students are getting an education. This could make it worse for young people, as they still don’t have the full responsibilities that adults have. They may be exposed to some of life’s experiences, but not usually the major ones.

Working and studying

I worked in construction in the northeast, so every winter was freezing when you are working out in the cold. At that point, I decided I wanted to go back to college and get a nine-to-five job in an office. I checked out my options in the area where I lived and found that we had a highly regarded community college that I believed was best for me for getting back to education.

The main thing to be sure of before you find the college is to find out what four-year college you want to finish your education. Make sure that they take all the credits from the community college. The community college that was near me was rated as a very good college and the four-year colleges in my area accepted all the credits.

Paying for an education

I quit my full-time construction job and started going to college full-time. To accomplish this, I worked part-time jobs. I took a few part-time jobs, and it ended up that I started working full-time hours with three jobs. So, I ended up paying for my school as I went because of the community college fees was less than the four-year college fees.

The idea is to pay off the two years of college with the money you get from working. You’ll be free and clear when you want to start a four-year college. When you get an Associate’s Degree or another two-year degree, many companies will hire you at that point and some of them will end up paying for your continuing education.

If that will not happen, then you may decide to take student loans, but don’t expect to have that loan forgiven. These are unusual times, and it looks like this will be a one-time deal of loan forgiveness that you are experiencing now.

Picking your major

One thing I’ve learned over the years is when I talked to students starting in college, they did not know what major they wanted to pick. By working after high school at various jobs, they will get an idea of what they like or don’t like. Exposure to the salaries that you can expect from certain jobs will be gained.

Taking some time in between high school and college is an enormous benefit for being able to function in this world. It helps you to afford college, appreciate college, and have a good start in real life.