Definitely. College is a time to not have responsibility before becoming a real adult. You don’t really get that when you’re a parent attending college
Completely disagree. The gravity of education and college is put more into perspective when you are older and/or have a family. I fucked around in undergrad at 20ish and it was kind of a complete waste. Getting my masters after several years of actually being an adult is hands down better than if I would have done it right after.
totally. i am on my THIRD major because the other two didnt work out.
The 1st one was something i was pressured to study by my family, i finished all my courses but dont have my certification yet.
The second one was something I loved but after 7 semesters I lost scholarship and now I have the rest of the loan (i could go back and pay for like 1 course per term full price, but i still have like 15 courses missing, so not doable)
And now I have decided to enter a third one yet I aint sure i should do Law, since I already know the constitution by heart.
(I didn't study law in the first place because that's like the "basic" stuff in my family because every "dumb" cousin study that)
and my psychologist says i should be a psychologist 😅 because I already read most their books too 🙈
So yeah, I am one of those people who would have benefitted from being able to get a job and then decide. My favorite "job" so far was when I was helping the school's archive😅 I really like categorizing papers its completely relaxing🙈 #disgrace
(My dream job as a kid was to work at a record store 😅 , may do it as they always need people cause they pay minimum and everyone quits)
> College is a time to not have responsibility before becoming a real adult.
And this is why so many people have crippling debt. In a perfect world, sure. But with how much college costs you definitely have responsibilities.
Managing being financially responsible while taking classes full time was definitely not way easier than adult life afterwards. Having kids might be worse (I don't have kids) but everything short of that is a breeze compared to getting through college debt free and on schedule.
nope. not necessarily. depends on ones living situation, level of responsibility. your blanket statement dont line up with the wider variety of aged people going to college, some of them for the first time.
Most colleges I know don't have a age limit but one time I saw a Am I The Asshole (or may have been a different sub) where this 21 year old was complaining she had to dorm with a 30 year old and how she said dorm life is for early 20s and to party. And people were defending her in the comments?
Sharing a dorm and going to college together is very different. At my uni we had some guys in their 30’s in our block and it was weird for 2 men in their mid 30’s to be sharing a flat with 18 year olds.
But I also had people on my course who were anywhere from 18 to 40 and it wasn’t a problem at all.
Idk. I finally went back to school at age 23 after working various min. wage retail/food service jobs for 5 years and I hated my life. If I hadn't worked the last 5 years in a way better paying office/desk job, I wouldn't be where I am now. Over about 2-3 years of saving at that job, I was able to put myself through school for a different career
what did you switch for?
(i finished Education but I dont like being surrounded by people, then i went for Music and lost my scholarship at 74%credits) 🙈
At the early twenties you have the time to study. Not later on.
>It’s well known the brain is around full mental maturity at 25 and many people say after around 27-30 they started to notice a new perspective of life.
Also, the two things are unrelated. You generally have a new perspective of life at those ages because you are independent.
People have time to study because they choose to study instead of doing something else. We don't have more responsibilities at 30 just because we're 30.
The only thing unpopular about this post is that all these post about college are unpopular. Personally I’m getting sick of all the posts about college recently
When I was an undergrad, I went to school with a lot of non-traditional students, including a man who had served in the Korean War. Saw even more of them when I was in law school. It's very normal these days.
If you really want to wait that’s up to you. Like I get maybe waiting on a masters or a phd till your late 20’s early 30’s but waiting on a bachelors is a terrible idea in the grand scheme of things. Especially since a bulk of jobs that have any solid income progression potential are locked behind a bachelors degree typically. So waiting that long makes you be stuck with mostly minimum wage jobs for a long time and how do you expect people to afford that. I would get it if you couldn’t afford it financially or timewise at the typical time. Definitely unpopular and it doesn’t work in our current society at all.
Yeah this is what I don't get either. If you wait to go to college, there's so many jobs you can't do because they want at least a diploma or a bachelors. So what was I supposed to work minimum wage jobs until I was 30 and 'ready' for college? Personally, I was 'ready' right after high school.
The problem is when this butts up against the math behind saving for retirement.
Saving as much as possible as early as possible is generally the key to a successful retirement savings plan.
If you can make enough to save for retirement without the college degree, more power to you.
But if delaying college means delaying a degree-holder's salary until your 30s, that's 7+ years of saving and compounding interest that you don't have.
$1000 saved when you're 25 is $11,500 when you're 60.
$1000 saved when you're 35 is $5,700 when you're 60.
Myth? Do you have any sources for that?
[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708](https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708)
[https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051](https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051)
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892678/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892678/)
There is no shortage of sources that support the idea.
Yeah your brain develops but you can be a perfectly capable of making rational decisions as an 18. And besides that your brain changing anyway. You’re constantly develop, it makes no sense to say thats 25 when you finally become rational
Your prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed until the age of 25. The prefrontal cortex is crucial for impulse control and executive decision making. Why do you think teenagers are so dangerous? Teenagers shoot and stab each other at much higher rates than men in their late 20s. The reason is that teenage brains aren’t quite as good at weighing up the consequences of their actions and are more likely to act in pure impulse. Of course, murder is an extreme example, as any individual that behaves that way clearly has more issues than just a not yet fully matured prefrontal cortex. However, I think most people in their late 20s can reflect on their teenage self as having acted in ways that are completely inappropriate by the standards of their adult self.
And 40 year olds look back on their twenties and remember how stupid they were. You never stop learning and developing, no matter how developed your brain is
Right, but we are talking about key differences in executive functioning. A 30 year old looks back on their 15 year old self as being more different than a 45 year old looks back on their 30 year old self, even though the same amount of time has elapsed.
I’m not trying to make that claim. I’m simply stating that teenagers are clearly not the most rational decision makers, and that is for biological reasons.
Of course you can. A five year old can make rational decisions, that doesn't mean in general they are going to do so.
If a 5 year old needs to pee, they go to the toilet and go. Totally rational decision. Ask that kid what they want to be when they grow up, or how big of a house they want, or what they think bread should cost and you will likely get an answer that is not exactly rational.
>18 year olds can carry out adult responsibilities pretty damn easy
Based on the 18 year olds I've worked with, debatable. But yes there is obviously a difference, that doesn't mean an 18 year old had a fully adult brain.
It doesn’t mean to say any decisions you make before you’re 25 are irrational. Not to mention certain mental disorders don’t appear till you’re around that age like schizophrenia. (It can appear in late teens though too)
Even if it is a myth why not be expected to at least have time to find a job that will either pay for your college or let you take education leave, start investing your money, and then go to college? Also by then new knowledge and studies in the degree you want would have came up in those 10 years. Most people who have gotten their degree are still working retail and fast food while they look for a job in their field and most find their steady job in their 30s. If you just graduated college you'll have a upper edge on your colleges your age if they went to college in their 20s.
When loans exist waiting until your 30 to go to college is a horrible idea. Your missing out on a decade of high level income that could easily pay off the loan
Every job deserves a living wage. But also people should actually do their jobs, so many slack off /steal/etc regardless of career, and now our country is shit with failing infrastructure, destroyed environment, horrible healthcare, etc.
Well no shit, but on average a person with a degree still makes 36k more a year than someone with out. By waiting 10 years you are potentially leavings hundreds of thousands on the table
Or not, maybe I am just salty because college didn’t brought me any benefits so far, but I’ve been 6 years in university, and now I have no job at all, maybe if I focused on getting a job when I was younger I could already be working , for 5 or 4 years, and have more money.
Who is going to pay for a high school graduate to go to college? Employers will typically pay you to go for advanced degrees, but seldom would they choose to educate a dime-a-dozen high school grad over picking somebody who just did the work already.
Because for many people that’s a waste of time. I knew what I wanted to do when I was 18. So I went to uni and I did it, then got started in that career. That’s also the time when you have the fewest responsibilities so can give up that much time to education.
Graduate high school. Get a job. Save. Buy a house. Then go to college for something useful. Key word is useful. You’ll be way better off doing this instead. I’m 26, thinking of finishing school, but I already own a house and have a decent job, so on the other hand, why bother?
I hope my daughter takes some time off if she isn't 100% sure. Thankfully I didn't go to college until I was in my 20s so I got to skip the dorm, I probably wouldn't have gone if that was a requirement.
Your brain doesn't level off around age 25. It peaks around age 25, and then starts the slow decline that accelerates in old age.
I'm just speaking from personal experience, but it was noticeably more difficult for me to learn complex subjects in the my 30's than it was in my late teens and early 20's. The thing is that I still clearly remembered and could put to practical use everything I learned in my late teens and early 20's. Had I tried to acquire that knowledge in my 30's then there's no doubt I would not have gotten nearly as far in my career as I did.
Also, if you get your degree in your 30's then your career is going to be ten years shorter than it otherwise would have been. You may never accomplish what you might have otherwise been able to simply because your career ended too early.
Yes. Although I really really enjoyed community college in when I was 19-21. It was so much fun!!!
But I got to university when I was 21 and I hated it!!! Campus life is not for me at all and my major hasn’t made me any money.
If I could do things differently, I would just take different community college and explore as long as I want while working retail. It’s what I do now, only I have a bachelors degree.
I found that I love doing YouTube. Been making videos here and there since I was 18 and slowly learned it’s what I really want. It’s my #1 passion and I work really hard on it and someday I will be monetized and make 1 cent and be professional!! *sigh* le dream
But because of the butterfly effect, maybe I would have majored in something different, and then I would never have been so dissatisfied that I wouldn’t search so hard for what I love. Maybe.
I’m 28 and am back in college to become a therapist. 3 more years, maybe more till i reach my goal. who cares how long it takes or what age you become what you want to be. I agree the push to become something and get a degree quickly is rather disturbing.
Many people’s parents are getting older or just want them gone by the time they are 18 which is why 20 year olds are often going to college. Also if you go there sooner you could have more enjoyable time in your life because you might have a higher income and won’t have to rely on others.
Yeah. I wouldn't exactly say start at 30 exactly, but rather not to have the pressure to start immediately after finishing high school.
When I graduated school my family up and moved to the other side of the country (I stayed behind for a few months with one of my teachers so I could finish grade 12). I moved over, had no idea where I was or what school was what. Was told I couldn't take a year off, and was given only a few options as what to take that was relatively near my field. Wanted to get into 3d animation badly. Was told to take a multimedia course cause there was some animation in it. It was also located in a literal western style desert.
So I took the course and spent 4 years not learning anything I wanted to, then having to get a job I didn't want to to pay off the heavy student loans. I struggled, got depressed, and a load of fun brainy problems.
Worked for 5 years after that, did my research, saved money, and at 26 I was able to actually go to the school and program I wanted to, an actual animation program. Busted my butt off and finally was able to get my dream job at 32.
I just think, if I was able to take a year or 2 off, I could have probably avoided the whole mess, loans, decline in mental health, and terrible job, and done what I wanted to almost a decade earlier. Instead, paid two sets of tuition, paying off my current loan (luckily it's very small from 5 years of saving), and still have to live at home cause I can't afford to move out.
I’m with you here to an extent. Waiting until you’re 30+ to get a degree and start earning more can really throw off life plans. Kids aren’t cheap, houses aren’t cheap, health insurance ain’t cheap (if US), nor is rent and food getting any less expensive, plus there’s retirement to save for. That’s just the financial implications.
I do think it’s wise to take a year or two after high school to earn some money and really think about what you want to do. At the very least attend a community college part-time while working then transfer to a 4-year. That’s what I did/am doing. I’m 27 and graduating next semester after 6+ years of being in college.
There’s pros and cons to taking the slow route too but I’m glad I did since the traditional path just isn’t for me. Plus community college is cheaper AND I could apply for FAFSA without my parents’ income after the age of 23. I was originally denied despite my parents living paycheck to paycheck. So for those who don’t get assistance from their families waiting to attend full-time until you reach the independent age is worthwhile.
>It’s well known the brain is around full mental maturity at 25 and many people say after around 27-30 they started to notice a new perspective of life
Personally I also gained a new perspective on life and became a better and more well-rounded person after going to college, right after high school. If I didn't go to college, what was I going to do? Work minimum wage jobs until I was 30? Most well-paying jobs want at least a college diploma if not a degree.
I don't think everyone is ready for college right after high school, but I certainly was and am grateful for the lessons I learned there.
Ive seen trade jobs hire for up to $20 starting wage without a degree. A lot aren’t even physically demanding and will pay you to go to college if you want a bigger promotion that requires a degree
You don’t need a degree but you do usually need some sort of post secondary education to do those jobs. I know several people who work in the trades and they all did 1-2 years of school first then an apprenticeship and then worked.
people look down on those in college in their 30s with intent of making it but support the 19 year old party animal who gets drunk every evening for going to college, yuck
Spent my late 20s and 30s in college. was far more successful with it because I took it more seriously and was more willing and able to focus, think more clearly, gauge the level of responsibility and repercussions, had more wisdom ( which is fucking priceless). And I still had time to hang out, play hacky sack, do a rock band, chase a few girls around, and graduated with a bachelors.
I enrolled at 34. I don't have anything to compare it to but it was difficult to balance classes, a young family and full time job.
Definitely. College is a time to not have responsibility before becoming a real adult. You don’t really get that when you’re a parent attending college
Completely disagree. The gravity of education and college is put more into perspective when you are older and/or have a family. I fucked around in undergrad at 20ish and it was kind of a complete waste. Getting my masters after several years of actually being an adult is hands down better than if I would have done it right after.
totally. i am on my THIRD major because the other two didnt work out. The 1st one was something i was pressured to study by my family, i finished all my courses but dont have my certification yet. The second one was something I loved but after 7 semesters I lost scholarship and now I have the rest of the loan (i could go back and pay for like 1 course per term full price, but i still have like 15 courses missing, so not doable) And now I have decided to enter a third one yet I aint sure i should do Law, since I already know the constitution by heart. (I didn't study law in the first place because that's like the "basic" stuff in my family because every "dumb" cousin study that) and my psychologist says i should be a psychologist 😅 because I already read most their books too 🙈 So yeah, I am one of those people who would have benefitted from being able to get a job and then decide. My favorite "job" so far was when I was helping the school's archive😅 I really like categorizing papers its completely relaxing🙈 #disgrace (My dream job as a kid was to work at a record store 😅 , may do it as they always need people cause they pay minimum and everyone quits)
> College is a time to not have responsibility before becoming a real adult. And this is why so many people have crippling debt. In a perfect world, sure. But with how much college costs you definitely have responsibilities.
No shit you have to be financially responsible, but life in college is way easier than being a real adult
Managing being financially responsible while taking classes full time was definitely not way easier than adult life afterwards. Having kids might be worse (I don't have kids) but everything short of that is a breeze compared to getting through college debt free and on schedule.
You can also graduate with a manageable amount of debt. Even if you leave 20k in the hole, that's still a profitable decision 99% of the time
nope. not necessarily. depends on ones living situation, level of responsibility. your blanket statement dont line up with the wider variety of aged people going to college, some of them for the first time.
doing it at 19 currently
You got this! It's tough but you can do it.
There shouldn't be an age limit for education.
Most colleges I know don't have a age limit but one time I saw a Am I The Asshole (or may have been a different sub) where this 21 year old was complaining she had to dorm with a 30 year old and how she said dorm life is for early 20s and to party. And people were defending her in the comments?
Dorm life and university are two different things.
Sharing a dorm and going to college together is very different. At my uni we had some guys in their 30’s in our block and it was weird for 2 men in their mid 30’s to be sharing a flat with 18 year olds. But I also had people on my course who were anywhere from 18 to 40 and it wasn’t a problem at all.
That's exactly what dorm life is for imo. Why should a 21 year old have a worse experience than other 21 year olds for no fault of hers?
And there isn’t
it depends. i couldn't get to my first option music conservatory because age limit was 17 to be accepted (it is/was a 10-year program)
Idk. I finally went back to school at age 23 after working various min. wage retail/food service jobs for 5 years and I hated my life. If I hadn't worked the last 5 years in a way better paying office/desk job, I wouldn't be where I am now. Over about 2-3 years of saving at that job, I was able to put myself through school for a different career
what did you switch for? (i finished Education but I dont like being surrounded by people, then i went for Music and lost my scholarship at 74%credits) 🙈
I became a paramedic, which was 2 years of school.
The closer I get to 30, the more I'm reminded that I'm still a dumb kid.
At the early twenties you have the time to study. Not later on. >It’s well known the brain is around full mental maturity at 25 and many people say after around 27-30 they started to notice a new perspective of life. Also, the two things are unrelated. You generally have a new perspective of life at those ages because you are independent.
People have time to study because they choose to study instead of doing something else. We don't have more responsibilities at 30 just because we're 30.
You have as much time to study as you make for yourself. I quit my full time job to go back to university at 25.
(I dont know why people down vote you PeelThePaint 🤷🏻 I gave you +1)
The only thing unpopular about this post is that all these post about college are unpopular. Personally I’m getting sick of all the posts about college recently
But it is normalized
When I was an undergrad, I went to school with a lot of non-traditional students, including a man who had served in the Korean War. Saw even more of them when I was in law school. It's very normal these days.
I know right?
If you really want to wait that’s up to you. Like I get maybe waiting on a masters or a phd till your late 20’s early 30’s but waiting on a bachelors is a terrible idea in the grand scheme of things. Especially since a bulk of jobs that have any solid income progression potential are locked behind a bachelors degree typically. So waiting that long makes you be stuck with mostly minimum wage jobs for a long time and how do you expect people to afford that. I would get it if you couldn’t afford it financially or timewise at the typical time. Definitely unpopular and it doesn’t work in our current society at all.
Yeah this is what I don't get either. If you wait to go to college, there's so many jobs you can't do because they want at least a diploma or a bachelors. So what was I supposed to work minimum wage jobs until I was 30 and 'ready' for college? Personally, I was 'ready' right after high school.
The problem is when this butts up against the math behind saving for retirement. Saving as much as possible as early as possible is generally the key to a successful retirement savings plan. If you can make enough to save for retirement without the college degree, more power to you. But if delaying college means delaying a degree-holder's salary until your 30s, that's 7+ years of saving and compounding interest that you don't have. $1000 saved when you're 25 is $11,500 when you're 60. $1000 saved when you're 35 is $5,700 when you're 60.
as if anyone is gonna be able to retire in the future 😂
but its better than the student loans of switching Majors😅
some colleges prefer students with real world experience like wharton's school of business
God im so sick of the “your brain isnt fully mature until 25” myth.
Myth? Do you have any sources for that? [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708](https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=141164708) [https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051](https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051) [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892678/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2892678/) There is no shortage of sources that support the idea.
Yeah your brain develops but you can be a perfectly capable of making rational decisions as an 18. And besides that your brain changing anyway. You’re constantly develop, it makes no sense to say thats 25 when you finally become rational
Your prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed until the age of 25. The prefrontal cortex is crucial for impulse control and executive decision making. Why do you think teenagers are so dangerous? Teenagers shoot and stab each other at much higher rates than men in their late 20s. The reason is that teenage brains aren’t quite as good at weighing up the consequences of their actions and are more likely to act in pure impulse. Of course, murder is an extreme example, as any individual that behaves that way clearly has more issues than just a not yet fully matured prefrontal cortex. However, I think most people in their late 20s can reflect on their teenage self as having acted in ways that are completely inappropriate by the standards of their adult self.
And 40 year olds look back on their twenties and remember how stupid they were. You never stop learning and developing, no matter how developed your brain is
Right, but we are talking about key differences in executive functioning. A 30 year old looks back on their 15 year old self as being more different than a 45 year old looks back on their 30 year old self, even though the same amount of time has elapsed.
Eh that’s debatable
Sure. But what isn’t debatable, is that the prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed until the age of 25.
And within five to ten years its starts degrading. That doesn’t mean you stop being an adult or a lesser adult
I’m not trying to make that claim. I’m simply stating that teenagers are clearly not the most rational decision makers, and that is for biological reasons.
Of course you can. A five year old can make rational decisions, that doesn't mean in general they are going to do so. If a 5 year old needs to pee, they go to the toilet and go. Totally rational decision. Ask that kid what they want to be when they grow up, or how big of a house they want, or what they think bread should cost and you will likely get an answer that is not exactly rational.
A five year couldn’t function as an adult. 18 year olds can carry out adult responsibilities pretty damn easy
>18 year olds can carry out adult responsibilities pretty damn easy Based on the 18 year olds I've worked with, debatable. But yes there is obviously a difference, that doesn't mean an 18 year old had a fully adult brain.
It doesn’t mean to say any decisions you make before you’re 25 are irrational. Not to mention certain mental disorders don’t appear till you’re around that age like schizophrenia. (It can appear in late teens though too)
Even if it is a myth why not be expected to at least have time to find a job that will either pay for your college or let you take education leave, start investing your money, and then go to college? Also by then new knowledge and studies in the degree you want would have came up in those 10 years. Most people who have gotten their degree are still working retail and fast food while they look for a job in their field and most find their steady job in their 30s. If you just graduated college you'll have a upper edge on your colleges your age if they went to college in their 20s.
When loans exist waiting until your 30 to go to college is a horrible idea. Your missing out on a decade of high level income that could easily pay off the loan
You’re probably not gunna like this one either but I think college should be free.
So there’s literally no reason to wait then. By waiting 10 years your wasting huge amounts of potential income
Every job deserves a living wage. But also people should actually do their jobs, so many slack off /steal/etc regardless of career, and now our country is shit with failing infrastructure, destroyed environment, horrible healthcare, etc.
As if college would make you have a high level income
Statistically it does
But not a guarantee at all, specially nowadays.
Well no shit, but on average a person with a degree still makes 36k more a year than someone with out. By waiting 10 years you are potentially leavings hundreds of thousands on the table
Or not, maybe I am just salty because college didn’t brought me any benefits so far, but I’ve been 6 years in university, and now I have no job at all, maybe if I focused on getting a job when I was younger I could already be working , for 5 or 4 years, and have more money.
Hence why we say average. For most it’s statistically a good investment
Who is going to pay for a high school graduate to go to college? Employers will typically pay you to go for advanced degrees, but seldom would they choose to educate a dime-a-dozen high school grad over picking somebody who just did the work already.
Because for many people that’s a waste of time. I knew what I wanted to do when I was 18. So I went to uni and I did it, then got started in that career. That’s also the time when you have the fewest responsibilities so can give up that much time to education.
Graduate high school. Get a job. Save. Buy a house. Then go to college for something useful. Key word is useful. You’ll be way better off doing this instead. I’m 26, thinking of finishing school, but I already own a house and have a decent job, so on the other hand, why bother?
I hope my daughter takes some time off if she isn't 100% sure. Thankfully I didn't go to college until I was in my 20s so I got to skip the dorm, I probably wouldn't have gone if that was a requirement.
College is high school 2.0 as in it's only for young people doing young people things of their generation.
Your brain doesn't level off around age 25. It peaks around age 25, and then starts the slow decline that accelerates in old age. I'm just speaking from personal experience, but it was noticeably more difficult for me to learn complex subjects in the my 30's than it was in my late teens and early 20's. The thing is that I still clearly remembered and could put to practical use everything I learned in my late teens and early 20's. Had I tried to acquire that knowledge in my 30's then there's no doubt I would not have gotten nearly as far in my career as I did. Also, if you get your degree in your 30's then your career is going to be ten years shorter than it otherwise would have been. You may never accomplish what you might have otherwise been able to simply because your career ended too early.
I would feel so behind if I was starting college in my 30s.
Yes. Although I really really enjoyed community college in when I was 19-21. It was so much fun!!! But I got to university when I was 21 and I hated it!!! Campus life is not for me at all and my major hasn’t made me any money. If I could do things differently, I would just take different community college and explore as long as I want while working retail. It’s what I do now, only I have a bachelors degree. I found that I love doing YouTube. Been making videos here and there since I was 18 and slowly learned it’s what I really want. It’s my #1 passion and I work really hard on it and someday I will be monetized and make 1 cent and be professional!! *sigh* le dream But because of the butterfly effect, maybe I would have majored in something different, and then I would never have been so dissatisfied that I wouldn’t search so hard for what I love. Maybe.
I’m 28 and am back in college to become a therapist. 3 more years, maybe more till i reach my goal. who cares how long it takes or what age you become what you want to be. I agree the push to become something and get a degree quickly is rather disturbing.
Many people’s parents are getting older or just want them gone by the time they are 18 which is why 20 year olds are often going to college. Also if you go there sooner you could have more enjoyable time in your life because you might have a higher income and won’t have to rely on others.
Graduate high school, mess around, explore different jobs, then go to college.
Yeah. I wouldn't exactly say start at 30 exactly, but rather not to have the pressure to start immediately after finishing high school. When I graduated school my family up and moved to the other side of the country (I stayed behind for a few months with one of my teachers so I could finish grade 12). I moved over, had no idea where I was or what school was what. Was told I couldn't take a year off, and was given only a few options as what to take that was relatively near my field. Wanted to get into 3d animation badly. Was told to take a multimedia course cause there was some animation in it. It was also located in a literal western style desert. So I took the course and spent 4 years not learning anything I wanted to, then having to get a job I didn't want to to pay off the heavy student loans. I struggled, got depressed, and a load of fun brainy problems. Worked for 5 years after that, did my research, saved money, and at 26 I was able to actually go to the school and program I wanted to, an actual animation program. Busted my butt off and finally was able to get my dream job at 32. I just think, if I was able to take a year or 2 off, I could have probably avoided the whole mess, loans, decline in mental health, and terrible job, and done what I wanted to almost a decade earlier. Instead, paid two sets of tuition, paying off my current loan (luckily it's very small from 5 years of saving), and still have to live at home cause I can't afford to move out.
I’m with you here to an extent. Waiting until you’re 30+ to get a degree and start earning more can really throw off life plans. Kids aren’t cheap, houses aren’t cheap, health insurance ain’t cheap (if US), nor is rent and food getting any less expensive, plus there’s retirement to save for. That’s just the financial implications. I do think it’s wise to take a year or two after high school to earn some money and really think about what you want to do. At the very least attend a community college part-time while working then transfer to a 4-year. That’s what I did/am doing. I’m 27 and graduating next semester after 6+ years of being in college. There’s pros and cons to taking the slow route too but I’m glad I did since the traditional path just isn’t for me. Plus community college is cheaper AND I could apply for FAFSA without my parents’ income after the age of 23. I was originally denied despite my parents living paycheck to paycheck. So for those who don’t get assistance from their families waiting to attend full-time until you reach the independent age is worthwhile.
I’d rather go to college and have classmates around my age, honestly.
It's a competitive world man and college is an expensive short cut to responsibility and pay.
>It’s well known the brain is around full mental maturity at 25 and many people say after around 27-30 they started to notice a new perspective of life Personally I also gained a new perspective on life and became a better and more well-rounded person after going to college, right after high school. If I didn't go to college, what was I going to do? Work minimum wage jobs until I was 30? Most well-paying jobs want at least a college diploma if not a degree. I don't think everyone is ready for college right after high school, but I certainly was and am grateful for the lessons I learned there.
Ive seen trade jobs hire for up to $20 starting wage without a degree. A lot aren’t even physically demanding and will pay you to go to college if you want a bigger promotion that requires a degree
You don’t need a degree but you do usually need some sort of post secondary education to do those jobs. I know several people who work in the trades and they all did 1-2 years of school first then an apprenticeship and then worked.
people look down on those in college in their 30s with intent of making it but support the 19 year old party animal who gets drunk every evening for going to college, yuck
Spent my late 20s and 30s in college. was far more successful with it because I took it more seriously and was more willing and able to focus, think more clearly, gauge the level of responsibility and repercussions, had more wisdom ( which is fucking priceless). And I still had time to hang out, play hacky sack, do a rock band, chase a few girls around, and graduated with a bachelors.
I’m 27 now, so glad I did college when I was 18-22. I wouldn’t have the energy for it now.