In a nutshell, after receiving your high school diploma, you have two options. How do you know which one is the best fit for you?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both attending college and gaining real-world work experience.
You recently graduated from high school. What happens next? You can either continue your education and attend college right away, or you can gain some work experience first.
There is no correct response. One path may be more suitable for you than the other. Below are some things to think about before making a decision.
You may be tired of tests and essays, and college will only add to your workload. If you go to college first, you must be prepared for what awaits you. And that may be exactly why you want to get to work instead.
You've probably heard the expression "distance makes the heart grow fonder," and the same can be said for your education. Sometimes all it takes is a short break from classes to appreciate your education as much as you should.
Working immediately after high school may help you make better educational decisions in the future. According to NBC News' "College Freshmen Face Major Dilemma," 80 percent of college-bound students do not declare a major, and half of those who do declare one later change their minds.
If you get some work experience first, you'll be able to make a more confident decision about what you want to study. You may take it more seriously as well because you understand the working world.
Working will allow you to earn money, giving you a sense of independence and confidence that you can make it on your own. It will also provide you with valuable life experience and force you to learn how to manage your finances responsibly. You'll have to if you want to survive!
So, getting some work experience first seems like a good idea, right? Not so quickly. Consider the advantages of returning to school immediately after receiving your high school diploma.
Going straight to college after high school is a popular choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in October 2017, 66.7 percent of 2017 high school graduates aged 16 to 24 were enrolled in colleges or universities. However, this does not imply that it is the best plan for you.
Those with a college degree earn more money and are less likely to be unemployed, according to statistics.
According to the BLS, those with a high school diploma have a 4.6 percent unemployment rate, compared to 3.4 percent for those with an associate's degree, 2.5 percent for those with a bachelor's degree, and 2.2 percent for those with a master's degree.
In addition, the median usual weekly earnings for a high school diploma are $712, compared to $836 for an associate's degree, $1,173 for a bachelor's degree, and $1,401 for a master's degree.
If you're already in the habit of scheduling study time and have a good system for keeping class notes organized, you might want to push through and finish college.
When you return to the classroom, you'll have to relearn (or at least revisit) those skills. And, after a long absence, they may not return as easily.
Furthermore, college will provide you with new soft skills that will be useful in the workplace, such as time management, accepting criticism, collaboration, interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
The risk of not attending college right away is that you never know what life will throw at you. Will this result in extended procrastination? It might not, but it's something to think about.
Some people simply need the time away to recharge, while others will find it difficult to return. You must make your own decision.
Will you be motivated to continue your education if you marry and have children? Life has a way of getting in the way.
As you can see, there is no single correct path. Each journey has advantages and disadvantages. And the final decision is yours. Listen to your gut, according to Fast Company's "A Definitive Guide to Making Better (And Better Informed) Decisions." Your instinct will consider your emotions in the decision-making process, which may result in a more satisfying outcome.
Furthermore, understand that you are not fully committed to any decision and that you can experiment to see what works best for you.
Finally, plan for the future while enjoying the present. To put the decision into perspective, consider how you'll feel in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years.
And, whatever you decide, best wishes on your journey!
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