Different paths after high school – College
In the culture of Mounds View, it is hard to converse without the mention of college. With graduation and college decisions approaching for the class of 2020, the topic of college is more prevalent than ever. With so much discussion surrounding university, it may seem like the only path for students of Mounds View. While it is the right path for many students, it may not be for others.
92% of Mounds View students attend some type of college after high school, which is far higher than the national rate of 69.7%. Many students have agreed that Mounds View students feel pressured to attend college. Although obtaining more knowledge through college is beneficial, the investment of a four-year university is huge, so it ultimately should come down to what the student values and wants for their life. “I feel like it is what I’m supposed to do to be successful, but also I truly do want to go to college and I’m really excited for the full college experience,” said Hanna Nelson, 12. Additionally, many students believe a college degree is the only way to succeed in life, but this is not always the case. Some students are just not simply cut out for college and could be better off entering the workforce right away or exploring other options.
A lot of the time, though, college is the right path for students. Victoria Li, a freshman at University of California, Berkeley and Mounds View alumna, loves the experience at her school. “Berkeley has been an insanely cool experience so far,” Li said. “Being in the Bay Area, in the center of tech and startup innovation, has always been a dream of mine.” For her, she always wanted to attend college, even though it meant she had to work hard to get there. Although she loves her experience, she admits that it is not for everyone. “I think that college is valuable, but not for everyone,” Li said. “It is easy to idealize college as the correct path; however, college is so expensive, and it is not worth it for all students.” Even a student who attends a prestigious school and believes in the benefits of college realizes that it might not be a good approach for everyone after high school.
When it comes time to talk about future plans for oneself or one’s student, it is key to choose words carefully and remember it is okay to pursue other goals in life. College is a wonderful tool to have, but so are many other paths to choose from. There is no set way to achieve success and happiness. “If you’re healthy and happy with what you’ve done, then you’ve succeeded,” said Li.