As college admissions rates to the “top” colleges plummet, I wonder why so many of us vie to get in, to belong to that group of elites.
When I was younger, I never dreamed about going to college. I saw a bright future, but I never envisioned a certain college for me. As cliché as it may sound, I just wanted to go somewhere where I could learn and enjoy myself. College was never stressed to the students at my elementary school.
However, when I entered high school, it seemed that all teachers cared about was “preparing us for college.”
A few months ago, I was actually considering taking a gap year before college, go off to another country and experience life elsewhere.
It just scares me to think that my life will fall into routine. High school. College. Job.
Where is the in-between? Maybe I am too young to truly understand the reality of college and life, but I know that I have hopes and dreams for my own life.
When I went to Thailand last summer, I saw the world through different eyes. I saw places I had never seen before. I tasted food I had never tasted before. I felt alive.
Even though I am going to college in the fall, I want to continue to make sure that I experience all I can.
But there are other paths to life other than the conventional path of millions, including my own.
As seniors continue to get notice of their college acceptances, I just want people to keep in mind that there are always other options.
If you get rejected, so what? That doesn’t make you a dumb person. Find your niche in the world. Apply to another school. Go abroad for a year. Find an internship. Go mountain climbing. There is no cookie cutter rule to this thing called life.
Lynda Lopez, Prosser
