This is a guest post by TampaBayScene’s Jake Van Loon
I have a confession to make: I did not go directly to college.
To the horror of every suburban soccer mom in the New England town where I grew up, I stepped off the 17-year educational treadmill.
For a lot of high school seniors and undermotivated college freshmen, it might be best to take some time off.
After high school was over, my situation was a lucky one. My father had been deployed overseas twice with the Navy during my high school years (not so lucky at the time), and I was left his G.I. bill funding, which meant a debt-free college degree.
With the windfall, my parents told me that if I wanted to do something worthwhile they would help me. I found a program and spent six months volunteering in Brazil and another six months working in a Dunkin’ Donuts. The mention of munchkins still makes me cringe.
I came to college in the fall of 2012 motivated to start a higher degree, a complete 180 from my uninspired high school career. I tell my parents that I was a late bloomer, and they roll their eyes. Understandable.
About one in 10 freshmen did not return for the spring semester. They had gotten in trouble, were too homesick or just flunked out, plain and simple. All of these scenarios were rationalized the same way: “College isn’t right for everyone.”
I want to amend that statement: “College isn’t right for everyone, right now.” It wasn’t for me, and it may not be for you.
Everyone needs time to grow up.
Living in a dorm and going to class is one way. For some, academics were a breeze in high school, even if they just sat in the back of the classroom and played Flappy Bird. For others, a position on a sports team granted them an easy and rewarding social life. Thinking college will be more of the same easy classes and fast friends is a naïve notion. A year (or even just a few months between high school and college) is a great way to mentally prepare for the sudden shift in environment.
The male brain does not even fully develop until we are 25. All freshmen guys are better suited to be cavemen. At 18, we want to bash skulls and drag girls off to our caves, not study accounting.
If I had gone to college at 18, I would have made a fool of myself and flunked out. I would have been hilarious mess, but a dropout nonetheless.
We all need time to find our motivation.
College is a four-year marathon of late nights and stress, and it might just be the busiest time of our lives.
In what other setting would it be appropriate to have mandatory meetings at 9, 10 and 11 p.m.? Without a compelling reason to be in college, burning out is unavoidable.
When the workload is heavy and Blackboard due dates loom on the horizon, many students throw their hands up in the air and declare to Vaughn cafeteria, “ I don’t know what my life is!”
Many students I talk to have no idea what they want to do with their lives after college. The best way to figure out what you want to do outside of school is be outside of school. I was lucky enough to travel, but time outside of school can be whatever you make of it (much like actual adult life).
The most educational time for me during this period was not traveling, but mopping donut crumbs off the floor. I got it through my head that without the experience, contacts and degree I was going to earn in college, my options were limited and my growth would be slow. This humbling work experience provided me with inspiration that I simply lacked right after high school graduation.
I maintain that although my formal schooling and degree will come from UT, the meaningful education will come from outside the classroom. College is an incredible gift. Don’t squander what could be a beautiful opportunity just because you are unmotivated.
If you feel lost, I urge you to run away screaming and find your own way. Find a compelling reason for education outside the world of education.
You might just find something worthwhile.
Featured photo courtesy of: WorkinEntertainment
