With the first nine week grading period over as of last Friday, students are still attempting to turn in their missing assignments and boost their grades as much as possible, including me. For upperclassmen, this is even more important because their grades can determine many things in their future.

Now, when I say future, you may be thinking college, and though this is the most obvious thing that good grades are recommended for, college isn’t the only way to go after high school.

We’re all so worried about college, that we forget that we’re still in high school, and besides seniors, we still have time to actually be in high school. Not only that, but there’s a stereotype that after you graduate high school, you must get accepted into college, and continue your studies. This path isn’t meant for everyone though. Every student has different plans post graduation, and traditional people have a hard time accepting that sometimes. 

But at the end of the day only you are going to know what’s best for you, so if college isn’t meant for you, then so be it.

And also, college isn’t going anywhere. So if you decide to want to go to college, but just not right after high school, there’s that option too. But oftentimes, when I talk to friends and peers, it seems like they have their entire future planned out at the age of 15. It almost makes me feel claustrophobic for them. 

There’s so many opportunities that we’re going to receive in our lifetime, so don’t close yourself off to certain things. Have an open mind, and don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.