Should you go to college if you don't know what you want to do?

[kitteagirl]

If she actually wants to start college right now, tell her to start out at a community college and get her general requirements out of the way. There are certain classes everyone has to take...(English Comp., psychology, sociology, speech, some math, humanities, some basic science). Meanwhile, this will introduce her to new fields and allow her to see where her interest might lie. Even if she decides not to go on further, education is never a waste. It will always help her in whatever field she decides to pursue.

I didn't go to college until I had been out of high school nine years. Then I actually went on for my master's degree.

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by John7777

I know I didn't know what I was doing when I first started college. In fact, I'm now retired I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up. In any event, I don't see anything wrong with going to college, if you can find someone else to pay for it or if the cost is reasonable.

Usually, a student's parents should also have a pretty good idea about the kinds of majors that the student should select from in college and therefore be able to act as a strong guide and influence.

There's a genetic similarity component after all.

[Ceece]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

Usually, a student's parents should also have a pretty good idea about the kinds of majors that the student should select from in college and therefore be able to act as a strong guide and influence.

There's a genetic similarity component after all.

This was true with my oldest, but not with my youngest. It's shocking how different things are to be honest. I've talked about it with other people before because it's so obvious that I can "read" my daughter but not my son. I suggest majors for him and in the end he has settled on something I can agree with, but it's wasn't a slam dunk and I thought for sure he'd go in a different direction. But now I see it's best for him. Oh well.

[TiltheEndofTime]

College is too expensive when you don't know what you want to do. I wish I had taken a gap year myself.

[lkb0714]

Originally Posted by musicislife.glee

I have a friend who is going through this crisis.

She is about to graduate high school, and has absolutely know idea what to do with her life. She doesn't have anything she's really passionate about and wants to study, and she doesn't want to spend time in college if she doesn't have a focus.

I don't want to tell her to go or not to go, because I know that college can help you find interests, but I know that she does not want to get a "useless" degree in English or Liberal Arts though that is what she is interested in. She is worried about the economy, and how difficult it is to find jobs even for college grads. She doesn't want to come out with debt if she can't get a job to pay it off. I guess she's really questioning the worth of college, and I can't say that I blame her considering how many new grads are without jobs and in debt.

Should a person go to college if they don't know what they want to do, or does not have a clear career path for themselves?

I think the people who have suggested community college are giving very solid advice, especially if there is a good CC nearby.

Additionally, she may want to do something like Americorp. Sure it is a great resume builder, good for networking, and provides so many needed services but it can also inspire many to find what they are truly passionate about, which might be good for your friend.

AmeriCorps | Corporation for National and Community Service

[lkb0714]

Originally Posted by TiltheEndofTime

College is too expensive when you don't know what you want to do. I wish I had taken a gap year myself.

A gap year is a good idea for some kids, assuming they do something with it.

Personally, I think that it is important to do something more than work at the mall and miss all your friends who did go off to school.