College, Man

[Ben Luke]

As much as I hate, and love, to say it... We are about 3/4 of the way done with high school. That's a scary thought. It seems like yesterday that I was learning to ride a bike and couldn't throw a ball over 10 yards. Now, I'm driving and have to start looking towards college. And that's the problem. College.

All I've heard from my family and some friends over the last few months is, "Hey Ben, what colleges are you looking at?" And every time I've been asked that question, I have had to respond the same way. "Uh, I'm not really sure yet." Then its,  "Oh, okay, well what do you want to do?" Same answer. Its almost like I don't want to face the fact that I'm so much closer to becoming an adult and having real responsibilities. Its not like I haven't been trying to decide which college appeals to me or what job I want to do for the rest of my life. Its just a very hard decision, that I really don't want to have to make.

Its funny to look around and see the people I've grown up with, and know that we are the future. It's scary to think that some of us will be making the laws and doing all the jobs that I've always seen as being for grown ups. Those grown ups will be us in less than ten years. It's crazy to think that almost exactly five years from today, I should (hopefully) be a college grad, looking for a job and mostly on my own. Sure, we're only 16 and 17 right now, but time flies.

I honestly am jealous of those that have known what they want to do their entire lives. Those that have had their college picked out since they were little. Those that have a plan for the rest of their lives, and a firm grip on what they expect to happen to them. How about you? Are you like me and have no idea? Or have you had your life planned out since long ago?

Like they say, "Life moves fast, don't miss a thing."

I just never thought it would move this fast.

[Lauren Andersen]

Ahh I agree! Life is moving too fast! When I was younger, I couldn't wait to grow up. Now I'm begging myself to stay young just for a little while longer. I have no idea what I want to do yet and I definitly feel the pressure to figure it out soon.

[Aricela Marquez]

College is closer than ever and stress has been hitting my like a bullet, but I feel that choosing what to do is highly important. Trust me if I could just go to college and not worry about my majors until my gen eds. are done then I totally would, but having an idea what you want to do helps with almost all college decisions. Up until last year I had no idea the specifics of what I wanted to do, but I got there. It takes time but it like they say.... when you know you know. No questions.

[Ashlyn Jensen]

I agree, I am so incredibley jealous of those people. I mean, I sort of have an idea of what I want to do w/ my life, but even then I'm choosing between two completely opposite things, fashion merchandising or archaeology. They have nothing in common, which makes that choice even harder!!! And then having to choose where I want to go to college, I mean to you know how many colleges there are alone in the U.S.!!!! The past four years of high school have gone by so fast, i know we have one more year, but still, where did it go!!!

[Kaity Drahos]

I'm with Deena, I've been told since I was little that I was born to be a teacher. However, I was also born to be a Hawkeye. But, don't be so quick to be jealous. I've wanted to go to the University of Iowa ever since I could remember, and now that it's so close I'm trying to accomplish this. There's so much standing in my way, and since I've had my heart set on it for so long, if I don't go there I'll be crushed. College is just stressful for everyone.

[Deena Bishop]

I've known that I wanted to be  teacher for a while, but I'm torn between so many schools... If you're looking to find a college match, then go on College Board. Find the college matchmaker! :) It's really kinda helpful!

[Justin Park]

College. I agree with you on everything Ben. It really stinks knowing that we cant have the old fun when we were kids. Im having trouble looking at colleges and stuff, but hey you're right lives moves fast.

[Megan Teschner]

its definitely scary to think about college. luckily i have some sort of idea of where i want to go, but unfortunately thats it. i have no idea what i want to do when im older. i think thats what scares teenagers the most, wondering what they want to do with their lives.

[Connor Bieda]

I'm with you I have some sense of what I want to do but I really don't know, theres so many options and this is a huge decision in our lives, it should be fun.

[Meghan Byrne]

I'm in the same boat. Some days I'm positive in what i want to do and go to school for but then there are other days where I actually get to thinking about it and i become totally unsure of everything. Every time i see my family, they always ask me what colleges I want to look at... and I'll give them a few that I've thought about but probably won't actually look at. Its really scary and stressful to think about.

[Michael Weber]

Thinking about what I want to do seems scary but the more I feel like I will be ready. It might be scary at the beginning but I think I'll be fine.