Why Not go to College?
"I'm tired of school."
There's school, and then there's college. They're not the same. In college, you'll have control of your own time and you can choose courses that fit your interests and goals. You'll be more independent - in the classroom less, doing your own work more.
"Nobody else I know is going."
It can be hard to make a different choice from your friends. But you only live once. The decision about whether to continue your education is one of the most important you will ever make, and you need to make it with your own life in mind. Have the courage to do what's best for you. And besides, no one can have too many friends and think of all the new ones you’ll make at college.
"I'm not the college type."
Maybe you think college is for nerds and bookworms. Think again! College and other kinds of advanced study can mean things like producing records, deep-sea diving, and even gourmet cooking - in addition to learning skills that will serve you well on any job. Before you decide you can't manage the work in college, take a look at the different kinds of institutions just in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region. Chances are there is a place and a program that will suit you.
"I just want to start making my own money."
Wanting to make money makes sense. So, do you want to double your income? Workers with a bachelor's degree earn almost twice as much as those with only a high school diploma. An associate's degree (usually two years' study) can boost your income by an average of $6,000 per year. What's more, you will be at a disadvantage for the rest of your life as more highly educated people keep rising in their jobs while most high-school-graduate workers stay stuck at low wages. In fact, over a lifetime, the gap in earning potential between a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree (or higher) is more than $1 million!
"I can't afford college."
One of the biggest myths about college is that only the rich can afford to go. Paying for college can be a little complicated, but it is within reach - if you look ahead and plan well. There are many options such as scholarships, work-study options, grants, loans, military programs, etc. Take it step by step: you'll find the help you need on this website under "Getting Ready to Pay for College."
College is about more than books and seminars. If you go straight there out of high school, college is your bridge to the real world, your first stab at independence, a wading pool of sorts to find yourself and who you want to become. And along the way, you are bound to meet others following the same path.