For most high school students college is shoved onto you like a heavy backpack to where around for 4 years. You don’t know what is in the backpack just that you have to wear it. Some get lucky and peek inside. They have a clearer idea of what their future looks like. They start getting on track to become a nurse or pastor. I did not get a peek into my future. In fact I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.
During my senior year at my third high school I had attended I saw that scholarships, FAFSA, AP courses, and college applications among other things were messy and confusing. I remember running to my mom begging her to fill out my FAFSA forms. She replied with “are you really going to college?”I had to stop and think. It was January of my senior year. I had 5 months until graduation and well before that people where already being accepted into their college of choice. I had a plan freshmen year to become an archaeologist but after researching the field it was going to take too long before I would actually be doing something “fun”. Switching high schools also slowed down my focus on my future. I was more worried about making friends and getting good grades. High school was overwhelmingly anxiety-ridden and incredibly boring at the same time. From falling asleep in class to breaking a sweat finding a comfortable lunch spot. So when it came time to put college in motion, I didn’t. I was going to have to fund it all myself. I had a part-time, minimum wage job. I was stumped by scholarships and financial aid. I didn’t know what I was going to go to school for or where I should even apply. I felt unqualified and broke. Debt was not an option.
My family was moving. I was not ready to fly the coop especially with no plans for my immediate future so I packed up and went with them. I’d say almost 5 years later that it was a good decision. I was able to hold multiple jobs doing fun and different things. I was paid well over minimum wage and saved up buckets of money(at least for an 18 year old it was a lot). I put almost every penny towards traveling. Really, that is my passion! College couldn’t give me what I now crave. The only life goal I have is to visit every continent. I have met so many different sorts of people that reinforce my decision to hold off or completely skip college as priority in my life.
I know that college is really important to a lot of people. Majority of people think its the only way to start your adult life or get “anywhere” in life. Where is “anywhere” by the way? Well I agree if you know what you want out of life and college is going to get you that result then do it! I do find myself getting jealous of my best friends who are graduating with degrees and starting a more “normal” comfortable lifestyle. In my early 20’s though I don’t crave that kind of comfort yet. My need to be restless propels me into my future.
Yours Truly,
Karli
Photo Credit: @herbal_mint (instagram)
Curious Karli©
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