I am supposed to graduate high school in three months, and I have some pretty big decisions to make before then.
My grades are good, but not good enough.
I can probably get into one of the state universities if I wanted to go to college, but I won’t qualify for any scholarships. The cost of tuition is ludicrous these days, and I’m not sure if I can pay for it. The larger question is that I don’t know if I want to pay for it – is college even worth the money anymore? My high school guidance counselor has been great, and even showed me some options for trade school, including HVAC work. If money were no object then I would choose to go to school and study classical literature, but money is an object! The HVAC program at the trade school lasts for two years, is part of an apprenticeship program, and costs only a small percentage of what college costs. I don’t even have to wait two years to start earning money, I can work for the HVAC contractor before I get certified. College seems like a luxury item, one that you buy because you can, and not because it has a lot of value. If I decide to become an HVAC tech I can start earning money more quickly, and more importantly avoid the crippling college loan debt that has been so harmful to the younger generations. For doctors and engineers, college is essential, but consider HVAC work instead of going to school just because people say you should.