This is broken up into two parts, aimed at two different groups of people. The first group is typically young, after just graduating from high school. They are considering going to college, but think maybe they need a little break. The second group is typically a little older, went to college, and is now wondering where to go from here.
For the first group... you’ve decided that you’re too burned out from all the work in high school to go on to college. Or maybe you’ve simply decided that you cannot yet afford college, and you haven’t managed to get adequate scholarships. What’s a teen to do?
Well, despite what everyone tells you, you do not have to go to college right out of high school. Heck, Fanaile worked as a DJ before deciding to go back to school to get a degree in history. So, what should you do in your off time? Well, I first highly suggest you do something. Once you start applying to colleges again, many aren’t going to look favorably on you if you just sit on your couch all day watching TV. Doesn’t show a lot of motivation.
But, at the same time, you probably don’t want to do anything academically related. Though, if money is your problem, I suggest looking into certificate programs at your local community college. See my past blog, Why a 4+ Year Degree Isn’t Necessary.
And when I say suggest, I mean highly suggest. I enrolled in a certificate program today, and my roommate, who is studying to be a nurse, flipped through the catalog and wondered why she was spending so much money to get a BS in nursing when she could get a regular RN degree, do all the same things, pay half as much, and be done in 2 years instead of 5.
Now, I write the following suggestions merely as suggestions. As a 20-year old college senior, I obviously did not do any of this. Perhaps, then, this is more of a ‘I wish I would have known’ blog than anything, but give it some thought if you’re in this situation.
Some suggestions for those of you who fit the description above:
Of course, some of you are way past this point. You, like myself, are getting ready to graduate college, and aren’t sure what to do with your life. Well, you can try a few of the suggestions above. Or, here are some things you can do with a bachelor’s degree:
Just remember… keep an open mind. There are plenty of people in the world that don’t follow the beaten path on the way to their careers, and are better off for it.
Adding to the list of possibilities after college graduation...
If you would like the experience of living abroad, countries all over the world hire English teachers. You don't have to have a teaching degree to qualify for one of these positions. Some countries don't require a college degree at all, but most of the "hot" teaching countries do. You can actually make decent money teaching in countries such as Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and various locatitons in the Middle East.
If interested in seeing what options are out there, just do a google search for teaching abroad. Some countries have their own orgainzations that hire teachers, such as JET in Japan.
If teaching abroad sounds interesting to you, check it out! It's the most amazing thing I've ever done (I came to Japan right out of college). Feel free to ask me any questions!
If you’re over 21, think about doing a bartending gig.
You actually only have to be 19 to do this in Arizona. I don't know about other states. So, I guess one could do this out of high school as well.
Internships are also good experiences, if you know what you want in a career, but aren't ready for school yet.
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Life is a moderately good play with a badly written 3rd act.~Truman Capote
In Texas it is 18.
I live in far west Texas, and when I went to get my certificate allowing me to serve alcohol - we were all told that you had to be 19 to serve. Of course, maybe that's a West Texas thing - we are pretty far removed from the rest of Texas.
But regardless if it's 18 or 19 - most bars won't hire you anyway until you turn 21.
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"when you have nothing else to say, "Fwonk" is always the perfect thing."
"yeah well, fwonk"
--Devon
Fanaile Essence
Although I'm not in this particular situation, I wonder why you suggest to not do anything academic during a "skip year". I would think that would show motivation as well. Why would colleges look down on that?
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Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
I'm not saying don't do anything academic, I'm saying you need to do something. Otherwise, adcoms will see you as lazy, not motivated, etc. Even if that something is just working a retail store full time, you need to be doing something. You can spend money or make money, but sitting on your couch watching TV all day isn't going to cut it.
The reason I'm offering things that aren't academic is because usually people in this situation are burnt out from going to school. If you're burnt out, how good are you honestly going to be doing in school?
I was also highly advised in my situation not to do anything academic, because I don't need to prove myself academically. My weak spots are with experience, so that's what I'm going out to get. Nothing academic, unless I work for a bit doing research.
~C
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If you want to take a break from your education, check out websites like www.gap-year.com or www.gapyear.com for some ideas.
This is great advice to people who want to take a break. I took a break but my break was not really my choice. Since my mom passed away 2 months after I graduated I believed it was emotionally best not to start school. Plus the month she passed away was when I was suppose to start. I tried to apply for winter sememster and some bimbo at the college said that they could get me in.
Then I called back and they said no all classes are full you can not go. I think it is really dumb but alot of people look down on me for going to a community college rather than a university. It is the only school that offers Dental Hygiene in the entire state.
I would not suggest a break to anyone, but people get the misconception about people who take breaks. Everyone told me "You will not go to college" I am going and as the sememster is close to ending I have 3 A's and 1 B. It's online classes but that school is SO unorganized.
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
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Depends when you take your break. I know fewer and fewer people are getting into medical school right out of undergrad, so just planning on taking a break might not be such a bad idea. One of my friends from high school decided to take a break right after graduation, because she just didn't want to deal with all the stress of school after a really stressful senior year. Now, she's back in college and doing great.
~C
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I just want to add-I graduated a year early from high school and spent the next fall volunteering in Peru with Cross Cultural Solutions. It was expensive, but I had a lot of support from friends, family, acquaintances to help me pay the fee, and it was absolutely worth every penny.
I highly recommend CCS for anyone who is considering a volunteer abroad program. I had the most wonderful experience. The staff both in country and based here in the U.S. was wonderful, always helpful and there to help me and answer any questions I had. Everyone was so friendly and kind-they really made me feel at home, which was really important to me being that I was 17 years old and out of the country for the first time, and away from everything and everyone I knew for twelve weeks.
Also a great thing about CCS is you have the opportunity to do traveling around the country on weekends and holidays-you can also take a couple of days off from your placement to do traveling if you like. The program itself provides volunteers with weekly outings in and around the city where you're located, driven by CCS staff and included in your program fee. ALSO we had a dance teacher come every Friday and teach us Peruvian dancing, and a Spanish tutor was also available for those interested in improving their speaking skills. I'm not sure if these opportunities are available for all programs, or only some, but for sure they are offered at the program in Lima, Peru.
Sorry for rambling a bit, I just feel really strongly that CCS offers excellent programs and a truly amazing experience.
:]
These are great! I would personally like to put in my promotion for Americorps...I loved the year I spent doing Americorps...it is true that it doesn't pay well, but you do get some money for college afterward that helped me out a lot...and I had a lot of fun at my job and felt like I was making a difference...I worked at a drop-in center for kids aged 7-18 to come to after school and get homework help, snacks, dinner and do activities, such as gardening, sports, arts and crafts, sometimes field trips (this was mostly during the summer,) and just hang out and play pool or work on the computers, etc. It was great fun and I gained valueable experience; I learned about working for a non-profit, how to get donations, how to get volunteers, etc. I also was able to attend college during the morning while the kids where in school and then I played with them all evening!
Two of my roommates have also done Americorps and really enjoyed it, although we all had very different programs. Actually, my roomie Coral is in Americorps right now; she works at an environmental center, teaching kids about salmon and the health of the rivers, trees, global warming and all that good stuff...she's amazing, she works really hard and puts in a lot of extra hours...Emily did Americorps twice and built trails in National Parks so that people could hike and enjoy nature...
Anyway, that is my little plug for Americorps..I thought it was an amazing organization!
Love ya,
Carrot
There is also City Year (which is an AmeriCorps program) where you spend a year working on civic leadership things (mentoring, tutoring, etc) in your community. They offer scholarships and a weekly stipend along with health insurance. cell phone and a lot of other things. We have the program here in Little Rock and it's pretty awesome. And it's open to those as young as 17 (to 24) which is nice.
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~Fallon~
An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't- A. France
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what to do: do what you and your relatives, that is friends and family that you relate to, feel is right. talk to them. what to don't: boldly step into your adulthood, defining who you are and what you will do, based upon your own experiences and how you have lived your life thus far.
Yours truly,
.demosthenes :idk:
I disagree. One of my friends is studying to become a doctor because his entire family are all doctors (his older sister is just finishing up her first year in medical school), and we can all tell that he simply won't be happy doing it.
There's a point in your life where no amount of advice can prepare you for what is to come. And at some point, you have to make choices completely for yourself, and not for anyone else. At some point, you have to make the mistakes yourself, rather than listening to what your friends and family tell you is wrong. Who knows... maybe something that went horribly for them will work out great for you.
~C
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