From the first day of freshman year, high school students are constantly reminded that college is coming and how what they do now will effect their chances of getting into their dream college in four years.

Students are fueled by perpetual reminders to join NHS, Student Council, and any other school organizations that we can manage, while attempting to keep up grades and squeeze in volunteering.

This balancing act, in which things are often dropped and have to be precariously re-stacked, is all done in the hope that it will make that little bit of difference to get you into the right college, or get just a bit more scholarship money.

We all spend years stressing about getting into the right school, but is it worth it?

Is the time, money, and stress of college really worth it for every student?

If the student likes to study and has dreams of being a lawyer, teacher, or something else then college is great, but for those students who hate school and struggle, it could just be expensive torture.

College is being pushed onto high school students with little consideration for whether that is really what is best for the student.

A fancy four-year college is not necessary to become a hair dresser, masseuse or mechanic.

These jobs require training and skill, but not the type that is going to be taught in some huge lecture hall at Harvard or a local college.

Vocational schools, internships or apprenticeships are much better paths for many careers, but are often overlooked because of all the emphasis on college.

The shaky job market has everyone pouring money into tuition for degrees that may only ever be worth the sheet of paper they are printed on.

We are being pushed towards a path that may not be the best for them just because it is what society expects.

There needs to be a new focus. A focus not on getting us into college, but on the path that will be best for all of us in the long run.

It is pointless to force someone who hates studying and school to attend college if they will most likely drop out.

More information needs to be available about jobs that do not require a degree, like roofing or AC repair.

There is no average student. Each of us have different needs and abilities, so there should not be a cookie-cutter response when talking about life after high school.