As the class of 2025 leaves the den and pursue their individual plan in life, there are many puzzling questions that they need to figure out first. Seniors have to choose from an array of options, such as college, trade, university, or even skip college and go straight into work. However, not everybody has a plan. It’s hard to decide what one wants to do at such a young age or where to go.
A study done by Poets and Quants for Undergrads showed that in a 2024 survey, 43 percent of seniors who took the survey were still undecided by April. The 43 percent were unsure if they wanted to go to a four-year college or even go to college at all. Going into a new environment like a huge campus or an out of state school can be scary for students and not everyone gets to go with familiar faces. Reese Thomas, who is going to college at SSC and then transferring after a one year, says, “I am nervous that I am going to miss something important in my high school years like being able to apply early and missing scholarship opportunities. When I applied for UCF I didn’t realize that the application process was more complicated and lengthy than I thought it was going to be. I wish I had more help when making decisions, I feel like if I would have had more personal help I would be better prepared.” Even though going into a new environment sounds scary for students, it’s okay to not have a path figured out. One can have family members or counselors guide them about their future paths. It’s okay to take a gap year after high school if seniors are still undecided.
At Winter Springs High School, there are special programs to help make college decisions easier. Mrs. Register teaches a class called life and career planning and she states that “Encouraging students to explore a variety of careers before deciding on one can help make the decision of picking a career easier.” Having this class can better prepare students by learning about themselves, adn realizing that they are the only ones in control of their future.. Senior Ashlynn Richards, a future FSU student, stated: “Yes I am prepared for college, I have been waiting for this for so long and I have mentally readied myself for years.” When one has a plan, the process of choosing a college is easier on seniors. Senior’s should not wait until their senior year, in order to avoid saving hours of stress and worry. Our school has a college fair, containing different colleges that have different colleges in and out of state to make students see the different programs that the colleges offer. Students can also visit their counselor to get more information and more insight on the different colleges and what they need to do in order to better prepare themselves.
Essentially, students need to make a decision that their path aligns with. Students should take their time to decide and plan their future out. Each student has an individualized track in life. Student’s should aspire to choose their own individual path, whether it be straight into the workforce, trade school, or college.
