I got out of school and realized I really didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up and ditched whatever plans I had. My career path has evolved, based on what I’d studied (engineering), what I like to do (writing), and how our family has grown. It’s a process, and it helps tremendously not to be in debt (no way in the world could my husband have changed careers from lawyer to math teacher and coach with the traditional law school debt) but even if you do everything “right”, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be right for you in 20 years.

Should a young student happen upon this article, take note: Do what you want to do. Consider college as but one VERY expensive option among many. There are others available to the self-motivated. If you’d like to learn any skill, craft, or trade, apprentice yourself to a master. You’ll find it is possible, even in our modern era. Believe it or not, you can even be paid while you learn — quite the opposite of paying college tuition.

Alternatively, bag groceries and spend your minimum wage earnings on drugs or drink for a few months. Whatever you do, at least let it be your decision. You wouldn’t want to regret it like this bitter old troll.

As a manager, I have seen so many resumes come across my desk from people with degrees in totally different fields that are essentially irrelevant to the job they are applying for, aside from the general skills they may learn from just going to college. It could be because of some of the reasons above, or a myriad of other explanations.

College education is extremely important, but I agree strongly Trent with your conclusion in your previous post “Is College Really Necessary For All High School Graduates.” I feel that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to college education is not appropriate for all people, and can be limiting one’s true passions and abilities in many circumstances.

College/grad school is great because it exposes you to a wealth of people who have highly varied experiences; but in the end it is what you make of it.

@Amateur: great advice, and I would highlight #7 as well. I consistently propped up my college boyfriend academically, and when I went to medical school I decided to focus on myself and consciously stayed away from serious relationships. Even if you date someone who has similar life goals, what happens if they get a promotion and need to move across the country, and you have to choose between your career and going with them? Do things for yourself first, then get serious when you’re a little more settled. It’s ok to be selfish sometimes.

1) Treat it as a job, your job as a student is to learn, publish, and push out a grade for each class.

2) If subjects are hard, which they will very well be depending on major, find others to study with and seek free tutoring on campus.

3) You don’t have to declare a major right away, but do take core subjects like math up to Calc 1, and Physics with lab studies. They will be useful later as padding for required courses and specialized degrees, as well.

4) If you commute, you can always split core classes for a cheaper rate (check for transfer requirements) at a community college and only take the required specialized classes at the main college. The savings are literally in thousands.

5) Do take on internships, it offers a way to see how professionals work and you’ll need the contacts some day.

6) Do not laugh off C grades, it won’t be as funny 5 years down the road when you decide you need a graduate degree and doors aren’t as wide open as you imagined for programs you’d like to attend.

7) Lastly, the most uncommon advice, if you start dating someone while in college, do not follow them around or cater your courses and studies around them, it usually won’t do you any good in the grand scheme unless you are both majoring in the exact same thing with similar life goals.

Very well put. Taking courses at a community college can be a great way to discover what truly interests you while avoiding the debt of a traditional four year school

One could argue you are wiser and more knowledgeable because of your experiences. Hard lessons learned.

I did work part time through most of college, but very few hours at a crap job because my parents frowned on working while studying (especially my first year) and because I had some health problems and actually took a semester off because of it. But looking back I would have made a huge effort when I was healthy to save every penny of my part time income so that I could have paid for life’s little surprises in cash, rather than accumulating more debt on top of the student loans.

Long story short, even with student loans you don’t feel like you’re paying, especially if no one is really reminding you (constantly)!!!

my $.02

I too spent hours playing video games with friends that I haven’t spoken to since graduation. For me, however, times like these were some of the highlights of my college life. I have a lot of time to be worthy, and I managed to get an excellent degree classification. Wasting free time at uni helped me become more myself, which in turn has helped me into a career that I really, really love.

I think if you can avoid most of these pitfalls, the rest might not turn out to be really mistakes.

Coupled with our lifestyle, by the time she gets tired of reading it, she’ll GET it.

Thanks much!