Introduction
Deciding on the best option after completing a high school education is always a tricky phenomenon. It should be noted that life gives everyone just one chance to live and make it right and therefore one can never follow what others do just because it is right. It is therefore important to make the right decision early enough, otherwise, the repercussions that will follow may be dire and unbearable. When students are in school, most of them perceive life to be smooth and full of fun, but the idea changes once they start getting responsibilities. The outer world as is described by many seems different from the protective environment of schools.
Many students are very eager to sit for their final paper in high school and get through with their high school education but they are not aware of the big question that awaits them after high school, which is “What next?” (Duralia 15). While some would prefer to start working due to a feeling of burdensome in education or lack of finances to continue with education, others would prefer to go on with their college education and start a career they have been dreaming about, yet others would prefer taking some time from all that and concentrate with traveling and relaxation for a year or so before joining a college. Whichever route one chooses, there is always a price to pay for each it.
Going to college vs. taking a break
Time waits for no man and hence spending time enjoying and celebrating will have a serious repercussion later on since one will have wasted precious time. Although both routes may be merited to some degree, it is always important to ensure there is the benefit derived wherefrom taking in mind that the main aim of life is to make positive changes and improve oneself (Clydesdale 15).
One who decides to go to college will have an added advantage over the rest because he starts building a career without wasting time. Time is the only asset that is equal to everyone – everyone has 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, no one has more or less. Those who utilize this resource perfectly will always enjoy the benefits in life. Everyone, especially students who have the chance and enough financial resources should race against time at all times to improve their life (Clydesdale 18). They should not spend time idling and celebrating over small achievements; rather, they should aim at striking a difference in whatever they do. Going to college immediately is no burden in terms of books as many students describe it, it is a race against the little precious time one has to lay a good foundation of his/her life (Duralia 20).
For example, let’s take one who starts celebrating and relaxing for a year, and one who goes to college immediately after high school. The first individual waste a year just relaxing while the latter starts his/her career path immediately after he/she joins college. These two individuals have now given each other a range which means that, for the one who wastes a year, he will start his career at the same time as those who were behind him/her in high school. This time is not recovered ever in life and therefore the students should avoid such circumstances at all costs (Clydesdale 21).
Another example is the one who relaxes and the one who starts working. The one who decides to work becomes financially independent early enough and thus will be independent, unlike the one who proceeds to college immediately. Life is all about dependency and people aim to stop depending on others and be self-dependent whenever an opportunity arises. Although the one who prefers to work will have benefited financially and also on work experience, the gap between him and the one who proceeds to college immediately or one who prefers to relax will have a greater bearing in the long run.
When comparing the one who starts working and the one who goes to college, one might tend to think that because the one working has an income then he is better of. However, once the one in college gets through with his college work, he will have built a stable career that will enable him to get employed in high profile jobs and get better terms of employment and income than the former. He will be better placed in society and be in a position to choose from a wide range of jobs. The one who was working will be overtaken within a short period (Broatch para.5).
Conclusion
The best thing in life is to utilize time efficiently and be successful. This will ensure that one never does things late and never regrets the decisions. Although many factors may hinder one from going to college like finances, there are always options to finance one’s education and get to excel. No barriers should stand between one’s vision and the present life. Life is about overcoming hardships and in the end, one enjoys the fruits of his/her labor especially he/she establishes an empire of great wealth, fame and raises a successful family. Whichever way the student chooses, then there is a need for serious reconsideration since life is not a rehearsal; the big question is, ‘are you ready for it?’ It is never early to start planning; the future depends on the plans made today.
Works Cited
Broatch, Linda. “Is there a life after high school? A premier for teens with learning disorders”. Great Schools. 2009. Web.
Clydesdale, Timothy Thomas. The first year out: understanding American teens after high school. London, University of Chicago Press. 2007. Web.
Dalia, Mike. The Real Life 101 Handbook: A Beginner’s Guide to the World after High School. Bloomington, Author House. 2009. Web.