As the school year is wrapping up for the seniors many are preparing for the next chapter of their life. The commonality at Skyline High School is that students go to college to pursue higher education, but going down that path isn’t the case for every student. There is a huge stigma among Skyline students that not going to college means you won’t be successful later in life. That is not true and there are many examples of people’s success without a traditional college degree. Student’s are taking gap years, attending community colleges, military, etc. 

Scholarship opportunities are available for students to apply to if colleges aren’t financially accessible to them. The College board does give that option to students but it doesn’t apply to each student’s financial means.Many have to take out loans. With FAFSA and scholarships,there could still be a huge financial restriction among many. Some students choose to attend community college before applying to a university.  

“My plans after high school is to move out, work a full time job over the summer, then to switch to part time in the fall and take a few college courses”, a current senior Kylie Hyde said. “I didn’t want to start with a four year university and commit to something I didn’t know whether I stick to or not. I plan to attend community college for two years then transfer to a university.” 

Community college earns your associate degree,a flexible schedule,and the cost is significantly lower. With a four year university, unless paid in full, most students graduate with student loan debt. A high paying job isn’t guaranteed after graduation, and depending on your major it can take more than four years to graduate. Earning a bachelor’s degree does increase your qualifications crucially in getting hired for a high level job but not guaranteed. 

The common pressure for students right out of high school to be independent right away with little to no support from family can be too heavy to emotionally and mentally bare as new adults. 

“My plan is to go to community college and get an associates degree then transfer to a 4 year college for the last 2 years all while working several part time jobs”, a senior Abby Waston said. “I didn’t want to commit to a 4 year program before knowing for sure and getting some life experience. I will continue to live with my parents until I’m mentally stable enough to support myself. 

Every student has different set of qualities and with the many choices given to fulfill each person’s interest without it being the common route of college gives out some many 

opportunities and options for people which school hasn’t been for them. Academia isn’t for everyone and there is a lot more to offer than a population who know how to succeed in a school system. 

“My plans for after school consist of working multiple jobs while I get my feet on the ground and figure out what I like and don’t like”, a senior Adrian Gelfuso said. “What made me not want to go the traditional route of college was multiple things, such as my personal dislike of school and frustration with the education system and its dysfunctional structure. I saw no point in wasting my time and money to go to college if I wasn’t going to pursue a job like a doctor, lawyer, engineer etc. I don’t plan on ever going to college but I am considering trade school after I get some more life/workforce experience. I am planning to become financially stable, start a side hustle while ideally working a sales job somewhere. My brother is going to teach me how to day trade on the stock market and I would like to start my own business.”

With whatever choice the class of 2023 makes, in the end everyone finds their own density and passion. The stereotype that college is what makes or breaks your life has been broken in multiple cases and the options presented afterwards is remarkable.