This hit really, really hard. I get asked The Question all the time and rarely have any kind of a concrete answer, so it's very relatable. Our education system spends eighteen years treating students like they can't be trusted with anything real (no stakes, no responsibility) and then we throw them into the world and expect them to just know how to function and what to do. Disastrous major life decisions ensue, because nobody prepared them for any of it. And the solution society hands them is four more years of the same thing at a college, except now you're a quarter million in debt for the privilege. As a wise man once said: "College is a scam. Parents, don't send your kids to it."
School should be about preparing you for life more than anything else. I can confidently say that I will never use anything I've ever learned in biology, chemistry, algebra, geometry, or trig in the day-to-day of real life. But it would've been nice to know how to do my taxes and figure out a career path before I got thrown in head first 😂
Yes, AMEN to all of that. I agree. And while I value anything that furthers the improvement of the mind (eg, the hard subjects we learn in school that won't necessarily be useful in the real world--or really, at all) education should, at a fundamental level, be based on practicability and usefulness. The system is so broken and we need major reformation.
Hmm yes, what wise words from a wise man. I wonder who said that...
LOL I feel like we could talk about this for hours XD sometime I would love to just discuss these things with you on the phone or something because literally nobody else my age cares
Right! There's probably an argument to be made that it just trains us to do hard things...but still, so much of it is a complete waste of time. Ngl I say we just abolish the Dept of Education and privatize schooling to create competition. That'll do it 😏
Emma - this resonated a lot. I think there are more seniors having this problem than we let on. Most of the smartest students I know have a prepped answer ready just to not be nagged, but they don't really have everything figured out. You don't have to have everything figured out; you don't have to plan the decades and decades ahead - especially with how everything's changing, it's hard to take into account what will happen in the future outside of your control.
Ugh - and that look some people give is completely relatable. It's as if once you're in your later teens, you have to "get out on your own" all of a sudden or else you're a "failure." In my opinion, there's absolutely nothing wrong with staying with your family, even into your early/mid twenties - as long as you're working toward something worthwhile. The Lord will lead you where you need to be if you keep your heart open.
All this is to say, you're absolutely not alone. If you ever want to chat about this, let me know!
Aww!! I love this so much!! Emma, I know God has a plan for and why do I know that? Because you are such a great person and such a strong follower of Christ and He will use you in so many ways. I just can't believe you are graduating already!! I will keep these words for when I need them in the future and start to think about what I am wanting to do when I grow up as well. Thank you so much Emma!!
Beautiful thoughts (as always), Emma. 💜 Even as a class of ‘24 girl, I can attest to the fact that I don’t have everything figured out yet. 😅 That’s the beauty of faith—we must rely on God and surrender our dreams, fears, and uncertainties to Him. In return, He weaves the threads of our lives into beautiful and intricate tapestries. 🥰 He can see the beautiful, completed front as well as the messy, chaotic back.
Take each day at a time. Do the next good thing. And remember: a closed door means that God has something better for you.
🤫 I’m still not back on Substack yet LOL but I saw your post in my inbox and it really resonated with me
I graduate from college this month and so many people want me to continue on to get my bachelors degree it’s insane🤣 after several months of back and forth I think I’m finally going to put my foot down and say I am fine with my associates degree. I just don’t think I need more than that and that’s okay!
Don’t worry about what other people want you to do, seek God’s will and you’ll be just fine❤️
Ahh so glad Briar! And congrats on graduating! What an achievement. Glad that you'll be pursuing what you believe is best for you and not the world's definition of the next "right" thing.
My recommendation to all seniors who don’t have any idea whatsoever what to do, don’t waste money.
Find a job you’ll enjoy and possibly take some community college classes on the side. You’ll be getting two experiences that can help you figure things out.
Also, you don’t need the whole 4 year degree. I’m graduating with a 2 year and I’m going to be able to make a decent amount of money.
It's encouraging to hear these thoughts and reminders from you! <3 I get asked a lot too, and my reply is always very jumbled and undecided LOL I may as well sit down write about something true and beautiful about waiting to see where God wants me and then memorize it to recite! I'm only beginning my senior year next semester, but I know it's going to fly by so fast and it makes me soo sad! It doesn't help at all that I'm very close with my Classical Conversations class. <3
This hit really, really hard. I get asked The Question all the time and rarely have any kind of a concrete answer, so it's very relatable. Our education system spends eighteen years treating students like they can't be trusted with anything real (no stakes, no responsibility) and then we throw them into the world and expect them to just know how to function and what to do. Disastrous major life decisions ensue, because nobody prepared them for any of it. And the solution society hands them is four more years of the same thing at a college, except now you're a quarter million in debt for the privilege. As a wise man once said: "College is a scam. Parents, don't send your kids to it."
School should be about preparing you for life more than anything else. I can confidently say that I will never use anything I've ever learned in biology, chemistry, algebra, geometry, or trig in the day-to-day of real life. But it would've been nice to know how to do my taxes and figure out a career path before I got thrown in head first 😂
Yes, AMEN to all of that. I agree. And while I value anything that furthers the improvement of the mind (eg, the hard subjects we learn in school that won't necessarily be useful in the real world--or really, at all) education should, at a fundamental level, be based on practicability and usefulness. The system is so broken and we need major reformation.
Hmm yes, what wise words from a wise man. I wonder who said that...
LOL I feel like we could talk about this for hours XD sometime I would love to just discuss these things with you on the phone or something because literally nobody else my age cares
Right! There's probably an argument to be made that it just trains us to do hard things...but still, so much of it is a complete waste of time. Ngl I say we just abolish the Dept of Education and privatize schooling to create competition. That'll do it 😏
YES. After taking Milton Friedman's class I agree 100%
Milton Friedman is the GOAT
Great thoughts! I can tell you as someone who didn't go to college that more people respect what I spend my time and talents doing than otherwise.
The cynics don't have to say it out loud, but they know the life led differently has magic.
So glad to hear it! Yes, I couldn't agree more--there is a lot of freedom found outside of today's education system.
Thank you for this 🤍
Thanks! As a high school senior, it was amazing to hear these words! (I also appreciate the link to The Graduate by the Arcadian Wild… I love them!)
Of course, Luke! Thanks so much for reading. And yes, they are SO good--I picked The Graduate as my grad video song!
Great choice!
Emma - this resonated a lot. I think there are more seniors having this problem than we let on. Most of the smartest students I know have a prepped answer ready just to not be nagged, but they don't really have everything figured out. You don't have to have everything figured out; you don't have to plan the decades and decades ahead - especially with how everything's changing, it's hard to take into account what will happen in the future outside of your control.
Ugh - and that look some people give is completely relatable. It's as if once you're in your later teens, you have to "get out on your own" all of a sudden or else you're a "failure." In my opinion, there's absolutely nothing wrong with staying with your family, even into your early/mid twenties - as long as you're working toward something worthwhile. The Lord will lead you where you need to be if you keep your heart open.
All this is to say, you're absolutely not alone. If you ever want to chat about this, let me know!
So true, Julie! I love all of these thoughts. You're spot on! And thank you---I'd love to take you up on that!
Aww!! I love this so much!! Emma, I know God has a plan for and why do I know that? Because you are such a great person and such a strong follower of Christ and He will use you in so many ways. I just can't believe you are graduating already!! I will keep these words for when I need them in the future and start to think about what I am wanting to do when I grow up as well. Thank you so much Emma!!
Aww thank you so much Izzi! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your kind and encouraging words!
Beautiful thoughts (as always), Emma. 💜 Even as a class of ‘24 girl, I can attest to the fact that I don’t have everything figured out yet. 😅 That’s the beauty of faith—we must rely on God and surrender our dreams, fears, and uncertainties to Him. In return, He weaves the threads of our lives into beautiful and intricate tapestries. 🥰 He can see the beautiful, completed front as well as the messy, chaotic back.
Take each day at a time. Do the next good thing. And remember: a closed door means that God has something better for you.
Cheering you on! 🎉
Such great advice, Sienna! Thank you!
🤫 I’m still not back on Substack yet LOL but I saw your post in my inbox and it really resonated with me
I graduate from college this month and so many people want me to continue on to get my bachelors degree it’s insane🤣 after several months of back and forth I think I’m finally going to put my foot down and say I am fine with my associates degree. I just don’t think I need more than that and that’s okay!
Don’t worry about what other people want you to do, seek God’s will and you’ll be just fine❤️
Also congratulations!! 🎊
Ahh so glad Briar! And congrats on graduating! What an achievement. Glad that you'll be pursuing what you believe is best for you and not the world's definition of the next "right" thing.
This is literally what I’ve been saying!!! (Just not in as wonderful of words as you did XD)
haha glad to reiterate your thoughts! thanks for reading, as always, Lillie!
My recommendation to all seniors who don’t have any idea whatsoever what to do, don’t waste money.
Find a job you’ll enjoy and possibly take some community college classes on the side. You’ll be getting two experiences that can help you figure things out.
Also, you don’t need the whole 4 year degree. I’m graduating with a 2 year and I’m going to be able to make a decent amount of money.
Wonderful advice! Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Haniah!
It's encouraging to hear these thoughts and reminders from you! <3 I get asked a lot too, and my reply is always very jumbled and undecided LOL I may as well sit down write about something true and beautiful about waiting to see where God wants me and then memorize it to recite! I'm only beginning my senior year next semester, but I know it's going to fly by so fast and it makes me soo sad! It doesn't help at all that I'm very close with my Classical Conversations class. <3