Probably as far back as you can remember, you were told you needed to go to college to get a good job. You might have been excited about the prospect of growing up and being able to attend. But as you got older, something changed. You started to question whether college was really the right choice for you. You still were still eager to learn, however, the idea of sitting on a college campus didn’t seem as appealing as before. While earning a degree is important, it’s not always the right choice for everyone. If you’ve been trying to decide if going to college is the right choice for you, you’ve come to the right place.
Think About Your Life Goals
Deciding what career, you want and whether you can have it without a degree can be tough. After all, if you’re still in high school, you might feel like you have all the time in the world to decide. While this is partially true, time flies, so choosing your path is important. Think about where you want to be in five, 10 and 15 years. Can you achieve those goals without higher education? If yes, then how will you go about it? If the answer is no, what’s preventing you from choosing a school?
Sometimes, it’s a matter of money and worrying that you won’t be able to afford it. If that’s the case, you can always apply for a scholarship or federal funding to cover the cost of tuition. However, what if you want to return to school but already have student loans you’re paying on? In this case, the idea of more debt might sway your decision. If you’re set on returning to school, you could refinance your loans with Earnest student loan refinancing. If your credit and loans are in good standing, refinancing your loans can lower your monthly payment and interest rate as well.
Why Do You Want to Attend?
If you’re only thinking about college because you feel you have to, it might not be right for you. Just because your parents or friends think it’s right for you, it might not align with your life goals. Additionally, some of those life goals may be further off and give you the opportunity to really consider college at this stage. If you want to secure a financial future for your family via a career backed by college education, that is wonderful, but if you do not yet have this family, you can take your time deciding. On that same token, if you do decide to wait, you can always enroll at a later time. Some online universities have rolling enrollment, so you can sign up at any time.
Weigh Your Educational Options
Not everyone is cut out for a 4-year degree, and that’s okay. The career you want may only require a 2-year program to enter the workforce. Alternatively, you might want a job that is more technical based, like a mechanic or HVAC repairman, which requires a different set of qualifications.
Take a Gap Year
If you’re still not sure what’s the right choice for you, you can always take a year off to think about it. In fact, you’re never too old to further your education. Take time to weigh the pros and cons of not attending now or waiting until later.