(written by Kendra, STAR blogger)

Hey there, Bloggers:

Today I was thinking about some very important questions you should ask yourself. They are: do I really want to go college; and, if I do want to go, then where? The first question should be much easier to answer than the second one. Quick!! Ask yourself “Do I want to go to college?”

If you answered yes, then good for you! Figuring out that college is the best thing to do to better your future before entering into, what we already discussed as, the "real world" is the first step.  It is a very good step to take! Choosing which college/university is the best for you is a little more difficult, but that is only because there are so many options to choose from. For me, the options didn't seem like an endless list of places I could, or even wanted to, apply to. Everywhere I turned I felt pressured to send in applications and to do what was right for my future. I didn't feel ready to make a choice or graduate from high school--I didn't feel ready to leave home. Knowing what I know now, though, I realize that I was ready to take the next step, I just didn't know enough about what college is or what being on a campus is like. But that was nobody's fault other than my own because I didn't take advantage of my resources. So don't make my mistake; ask your guidance counselor, your social worker, your parents or foster parents, your siblings, your friends, coaches and mentors for help. I am 99.9% sure they will be more than happy to be of assistance.

Asking someone who knows about college is especially important because having someone help you can take a lot of the weight off of your shoulders when thinking about what you want to go to school for. You don't have to know for sure what you want to major in, but try and figure out a few different things you like to do and which schools will offer programs that support those interests. Next, think about whether you want to stay in-state or go out-of-state, and how far you really want to go. Some people are comfortable traveling thousands of miles to go to school, while others want to be very close to home. (Remember, only you know when things are too close for, or too far from, home.) Then, you should gather up your applications and figure out exactly what they all require. Figure out when they are due and put them in order by those dates. (Remember; don't be afraid to ask for help because the admissions essay is sometimes the most difficult part.) Once you mail them in and you are waiting for your responses, you should visit each campus for a tour and see what feels right. Sometimes the place you think you want to go to is the place that feels the least like home, so try to go into each tour with an open mind. Then, after you've applied for financial aid of course, you will want to see what each school will cost you. If one school is going to be virtually free in comparison to the school you had your heart set on that is going to require a lot of loans etc., then you will definitely want to sit down with an adult and weigh the costs and the benefits of attending each place. It might be a tough decision to make, but at the end of the day you will most likely have made the best decision for your future. Plus, if you do come to the realization that you're just not happy with your choice of school after your first year, you can always transfer.

I know it seems like a long process and a huge pain in the butt, but I promise it will be worth it! The short road to having a full-time job isn't always the best road to take because it’s usually the one with all of the bumps and cracks that make navigating your life so difficult. Eventually you will understand that going to college, although it might be the longer road, will make all of your dreams that much easier to obtain.

Now, for those of you who answered no you don't want to go to college, then maybe you should think a little bit longer about what your plans are for your life, and if you're ready to be completely independent and find a full-time job immediately after graduating high school. I mean, not only are you choosing to grow up and become an adult much faster than most kids your age, but you just may be setting yourself up for regret. Don't get me wrong; not everyone who doesn't go to college regrets the choice they have made. Sometimes it is what is best for them and that is okay. But sometimes, those who choose not to go to college right after high school wish they had.   The great thing about college today is there are so many options for attending a college – think about online classes, or attending a community college to get started.  The important thing to remember is that you are in control of your own life. If you choose not to go to college right off the bat, it’s not the end of the world. You can change your mind whenever you want and that is the true beauty of it all.

If you are unsure about what options might be available for you, call the Center for College Planning at (888) 7-GRADUATE, x 119.  Their college counselors can talk to you about options and offer you some great information about colleges, careers and funding!

Until next time,
Kendra