What are some facts about finishing college versus going to work right out of high school?
608221
I started college right out of high school.  I found out that, in the field I was interested in, it was easy to get a job and experience...and the experience was what most employers were looking for.  I have since finished my degree, but I saw a big bump in salary and responsibility when I put experience on my resume and NO bump in either when I put my new degree on my resume.
577370
Some people get into the college first then take a year or two deferment. If you really don't have a clear idea of what you want to get out of college, taking some time off to work and experience the world is a good idea. When you are ready to go to college, you can always start out in community college. More than a year or two off might make it difficult to go to a traditional college, because by then you will feel a lot older and more experienced than your fellow freshmen. But there are many colleges geared towards older, adult learners, so there is always a way. If you take time off but you had good grades in high school and good SATs, there are many fine colleges that will be happy to offer you admittance.
751762
If money is not a major factor, I would much rather go to university by all means!! \n\n1) You are going to be working the rest of your life anyway, so put it off as long as possible.\n\n2) full time jobs may average 40 hours a week or roughly 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. When I was in college, I spent approx. 8 hours for the entire week in class. This doesn't include the amount of outside of class time needed to do homework, study, etc. though.\n\n3) There's more fun things to do while in college. The parties, the like-minded, free thinking people willing to explore new experiences just like you are. No one to report to (unless your parents are paying the bill, then they feel that you owe them a status report)\n\n4) If you can get a full or partial scholarship, then its even better. There's tons of ways to cultivate your entrepenural spirit in school, selling used text books for a profit is one.\n\n5) University offers an experience that you cannot duplicate in any way whatsoever in a full time job\n\n6) if you are so determined to have a job, you can still do so on a part time basis while in college.
79624
It really depends on the reasons why you are working. If you have to provide for yourself for lunch money,gas,other needs then you really have no other choice and need to do what you have to. But maybe you should concentrate more on your studies when you get off work. split it up between the time you have after school until you go to work and the time you have after work. I worked in high school and had alot of extra curriculars and thats what I did. Mind you I wasn't an honor roll student but I had to work. So it can be done. Good luck!!
1051304
I can't speak to your main question, but a diploma (or degree for that matter) is just a way of proving you can handle the academic skills needed on the job & have the ability to learn how to do things the way the company wants them done. An experienced worker has already proven these things. Similarly, if you get over a certain number of college credit hours you become a transfer student & no longer have to prove you even went to high school. A lot of home schools students do that because it's so hard to prove you've met state requirements, so they can take dual credit (HS & college) courses at a local junior college & then transfer to a four year school when they would have normally been graduating HS.
862636
The advantages include: making money for survival and tuition, work experience, a "reality check" of what it's like outside school, meeting new people and learning new skills.\n\nThe disadvantages include: taking time away from schoolwork (this is especially harmful for people who need to keep a certain grade level to keep scholarships etc), extra stress, fatigue, possibly hazardous work conditions (younger workers tend to have worse jobs), and possible exploitation at work because of one's youth. Any young worker is wise to learn all he or she can about the labor laws in the state or province, so that they know their rights at work. Good luck!
207631
Apprenticeship are great.  They often lead to a job directly after the program, whereas in college, you'll get a degree, but you're not guaranteed a job afterward.\n\nIt's only downfall is that apprenticeship often involve one specific aspect of whatever career field it's geared towards, whereas colleges usually have a wider aspect of a variety of careers in a certain field.
20627
College will offer many new freedom.\n\nProfessors are not like HS teachers.  They will hold your hands and request for projects that you forgot to do.  They will give you a syllabus (class objective and requirements) at the beginning of the semester, pay attention to the due dates.  Some professors will not accept late work or penalize you for late work.\n\nCollege classes are not like HS classes.  Some professors will only give one mid term and one final exam that will test your knowledge of the subject for the entire semester.  This is challenging for some HS students that are used to tests every two weeks for what you learned two weeks ago.\n\nTake a lighter class load (12 credits) to start off.  I suggest taking 3 required classes and one that you pick for yourself.  Take your required classes early in your college career.  It sucks to take them during your senior year.\n\nFind a major and stick with it.  Most graduates do not even work in their major.  Work hard and graduate with a good GPA.  A good GPA will lead to an easier time looking for work.  If you GPA is great, the employers might be looking for you instead of you interviewing for jobs.\n\nHanging out is fun, but can be bad for your grades and your chance of finishing college.  I have seen many friends party and drop out of college.\n\nRemember...\n\nCareful with new freedom\nRead syllabus and follow due dates\nTake good notes\nLight class load for first semester\nWatch out for your friends\nPick a major and stick with it\nGraduate with good GPA\nFind a job
151862
Advantages: Cheaper, save money, although you may be spending part of the savings on the commute.\n\nDisadvantages: You don't get to experience the full college experience. You have to do what your parents tell you, they may forget you have grown up. You don't get to be independent.\n\nI went away to school and it was the best thing I ever did, I graduated and I live at home now while I am saving up for a house, but I wouldn't trade going away for anything! It made me the sstrong independent person I am today.
231510
absolutely yes. If you are just beginning your studies you'll have a lot to think about and you don't want to add any more pressure to it. If you are finishing college, by the other hand, you'll have to start looking for job opportunities and that isn't easy either.
189101
In many ways you are right. Education is an investment of time and money that may or may not pay off. If you know you won't be totally committed to college, don't go.
1036883
more than make your parents happy, study hard to make YOU happy.\n\nI had similar issues in grade school and high school, but in college i studied HARD.  I finished at the top of my class, but i had to pay for college myself.\n\nI wish i had studied as dilligently in school because the scholarships i missed out on would be worth the price of a house today.\n\nyour financial success as an adult is tied to not being in debt from college, and you NEED college to get the life you will want.  Take my word for it.  The work pays off!\n\nTeenagers need more sleep than adults.  that is scientificaly proven.  also the sleep patterns keep kids up later and sleep later.  that makes it tough to get enough sleep which is important for concentration.  \n\nMake sure to always think positive happy thoughts.  adopt the "can do" attitude when you are young and it will help protect you from depression when you are older.  If you think that depression or ADD is a factor, by all means see a doctor, but try to work it out without the drugs.  They have some very nasty side effects that you don't want to deal with.\n\nWhat kids don't know is that success is better than makeup or muscles for getting a mate.  looks aren't all that important in a couple of years, but your mind is.\n\nKeep busy in many things.  clubs, sports, etc.  The more you do the more you want to do.  limit your time on the computer and with video games.  they suck the ambition out of you to excel to your best capability.\n\nGood Luck!!!   By asking this question, you already know you WANT to study harder.  Now it's up to you to take it like a challange one week at a time ant it will go fast.  you'll do great!
393808
The disadvantages of leaving early would be not finishing your degree. There is always the possibility of a major injury that would finish your career, if you don't already have enough money secured to fall back on, you'll need to go to work. Without a degree that could be very tough. There is also the theory that college is the best time of your life, and you would be missing out on part of that. You could back when you were older, but its not the same. \n\nThe main advantage is obviously, the money. You have the potential to make a ridiculous amount of money that would most likely never be able to make with just the degree you were working on. Also, if you leave early, you don't have to worry about getting hurt while you are still in school and ruining your chance at the pros. However, you could take out an insurance policy on yourself to help manage that risk.\n\nThese are the basics.
1048248
I had a friend who took a semester off of college - he did not do well.  He found the transition to work very difficult in the loss of friendships and loss of people his own age.  He found it was very difficult to go back to school after a year off - all his friends had graduated, he was used to a higher income, and again it was a difficult transition.\n\nI think staying in school is much more important, so many people do not return.  \n\nThat being said, there are positives:  extra income, a chance to get priorities in order, valuable experience in internships and other learning experiences.\n\nAn option instead of time off would be to take advantage of your career center, counseling services, etc.  College is an excellent time to explore options - Good luck!
105303
Haha... wow... I know the feeling.\n\nFirst let me say that you haven't wasted your time by going to school for four years. Think of it this way: You now have all of that knowledge that nobody can ever take away from you. Even if you don't use it for a career, the knowledge you've gained will help shape and mold you into a really awesome and well-rounded person. \n\nNow, here's the real message: Don't be afraid to put school on hold for a little while. People overrate college sooo much it's not even funny. I'm almost 21 years old and I've only had one semester of college... but I'm not stupid, and I haven't missed anything - my life has just been different from my friends who went to college immediately after high school. I can definitely say that I'm much more mature than them, and I have a much better idea of what I want to study. Now, going to school is for me - not because someone tells me have to get a degree. I go because I know what I want out of life, and what I want to learn in the process. \n\nSo, in short, it's ok (and might even be healthy) if you take a step back and just get some life experience in without college. You have your entire life ahead of you! What's the rush? Take the time to learn more about yourself (in or outside of school) and you'll eventually stumble on what's right for you. :)
790343
After you graduate from college and have a job.
595856
Most people misunderstand the benefit of going to college and gaining a degree.  To a prospective employer, it doesn't say that you know everything about whatever your major was, but it does say you have the ability to focus, apply yourself to a goal with a timetable, and follow through with the required work & effort.  That's why even a degree in Marine Biology will help you get a job in a bank.\n\nThe salary differential between someone with a High School Diploma and someone with a Degree more than makes up for those "four years lost income".\n\nAverage High School graduates starting salary: $24,000\n\nAverage College graduates starting salary: $38,000 (add $10K more for engineers/computer science)\n\nThe really important thing, though, is do do something you really like to do!