I came across a video that EVERY high school senior should watch before applying to colleges. I have run into too many college grads with no job, tons of debt, and still unsure what they want to do in life. This isn’t a knock on not going to college, just make sure you have thought it through and have a plan in place.

My college experience was not quite like this… but there are some things I can identify with. I know life has many turns and we all make choices that impact our circumstances later in life. One of the hardest things I did in college was work part-time and even sometimes full-time jobs to pay my school bills. Sure, I got help from family and even some scholarship money, but never took out a school loan, I graduated debt free.

I have another friend that waited to go college once he knew exactly what he wanted to do in life. All along he had worked a full-time job and saved money, he then paid for his education in cash.

It is society that tells high school seniors that the next step is yet even more education, one that comes at a higher price with no job to pay it off. It works for those that have a plan and know what they want to do, and even then sometimes it doesn’t. Here’s the only thing I’m getting at, if you are a high school senior, college is not your only option. Unsure if college is for you? Go to the local community college and give it a try. If you do go to college, pursue a field and degree you are passionate about.

Here’s the only option I absolutely loathe: Sit at home in your parents house and do nothing like you are still in high school. Go get a job. Pay rent. Be responsible. Master a trade.