Union Institute & University Top Questions

To go directly after high school and finish not take such a long break

I would go back and ask myself, "Why are you still here?" College is a time to explore and become the independent person that you were raised for 18 years. You are an adult now. It's time to grow up and move to the place that you've always dreamed of. Sure it's difficult saying goodbye to family and loved ones, but is it worth going to a college that you don't even want to attend? You've always wanted to go to Berkeley, but what's stopping you? You can sit there and hope that dreaming will get you somewhere, but you can't change your life without taking any action. Yeah, college is scary, but that's the joy of life. You will discover new things and make mistakes. College is a transition. Like T.S. Eliot said, "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far it is possible to go."

I would tell myself not to drop out of school. To stick it out and apply to college. Life stinks when you end up a single parent with a GED on welfare. It will take you years to find a good husband and be happy and then you'll be really old when you decide to go to college. You dont want to be a 44 year old high school drop out with a GED getting ready to head to college for the first time. Turns out college isn't scary at all. It will be a lot of work for you but very worth it in the end. So smarten up girl and stay in school now.