Going to University?

[EU4RIK]

So i did a little searching and only found one thread thread made in 2004 so i decided to make a new one.

What are your guys opinion or experiences on not going to university or college after your done high school?

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has no idea what to do after high school, I'm considering taking a year off or something but to be honest i dont know that i even want to go to university at all. I know having a degree can give you options and all that blah blah blah I've heard that whole its better to have it and not use it then vice versa speech a thousand times.

So i guess i have 2 questions actually.
1) For those that have done it (or those who just have an opinion on it), what do you think on not going to university or college at all?

2) People who didn't go straight from high school to university, (I'm talking 1-3 years off, either working or doing whatever you want like traveling) how hard was it getting into university after the time off, in terms of actually getting into the university (accepted, scholarships etc.) and getting back into the flow of going to school (understanding, the work load, motivating yourself etc.)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is quite a life changing decision and I'm sure i cant be the only one wondering

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

I say do it. I finished my undergraduate degree last year and am in the process of applying for grad schools right now.

You'll learn a lot about yourself and you'll meet lots of interesting people, life lessons and all that.

I went right from high school to undergraduate college/university and did the four year plan. I wish I had stayed on longer and gotten a double major, however.

I say do it. It can only help you.

 

[alasdairm]

What are your guys opinion or experiences on not going to university or college after your done high school?

the four years i spent at college and university were four of the best years of my life. i met many of the best friends i still have today at college (i'm in my early 40s now). i learned a great deal about myself and life in general and had a great time doing it.

after i graduated, i ran for elected office in the student association and was elected president for a year. in that year, i learned many skills that came in real handy in my career: managing people; managing a budget; managing resources; managing a business.

alasdair

 

[L2R]

the gap between my high school and university was ... now let me think.... roughly 15 years. the positive is i got a LOT of real life experience in a very diverse list of working environments. the negative is that it is much tougher studying whilst also maintaining the responsibility of adulthood (mortgage, rent, bills, family).

taking a year or two or several off is not the end of the world. there is plenty of time.

 

[Divine Moments]

I went straight from high school to uni. I certainly don't regret it, but there are plenty of arguments for taking some time off. In my course about 1/4 - 1/3 of students took at least one year off before starting and mostly they aren't at any obvious advantage or disadvantage. If it's something you really want to do I say do it. Life lessons are invaluable

 

[copelandia.]

I'm going to university next month, 5 years after graduating from high school. If I had chosen to go immediately after I would have certainly been doing a different course entirely...

I think that if you aren't really sure what you want to do whilst in high school that you should spend some time working and participating in life and understanding yourself, and society a bit better, in an environment other than high school, before entering...

If, on the other hand, you understand what you want and have thoroughly thought it through and have a solid understanding of society in general and the occupation you are pursuing, I say go for it, start immediately!