re: spinoff: my son doesn't want to go to college.

My only point is that OP's son may or may not be making a really smart decision. If he doesn't want to go to college, then he probably doesn't have a field in mind. That means he probably would take bullshite classes, or skip class altogether and have a shitty GPA discourage him from there on out. It's just my opinion, but I think a lot of people would benefit from just working for a few years after highschool so they could meet different professionals and see what they would like to attain, then have the maturity to work for it. Maybe they decide they need a degree, maybe not, there are plenty of ways to succeed either way without wasting time and money sitting through landscape architecture for non-majors.

quote:

---

You are 100% right. My youngest went half way through and quit. Grades were not the problem, but they were not up to what we were used to seeing. After working a couple of years she went back. Worked harder and this time she finished. I wish that we would have let her try working first. It cost me because she lost her Tops. But at least she finished. Every one is different.

---

This is almost exactly me. I'm 23, and I graduate next month. I did pretty terrible my first year. Then I buckled down because my parents threatened to make me go to Southeastern. I would have sooner died than go there, so I improved. But over time, I went back to not doing so hot. Honestly, I just cared more about other aspects of my life. My job, my friendships, my relationship, my dog, etc.

So I left for a semester to work full time, and then went back part time. I've been part time since then, and kicking arse. Where I used to just want to get a C, I now freak out if I even get a B on something.

I'm enrolled in my final two courses right now and will finish up in a few weeks. I wish I had this drive to begin with, and I often wonder if taking a year to work would have made it develop.

(no message)

I paid the bill myself, and I think I'm better for it. Certainly made me think things through after a couple years of spinning my wheels in a major that was going to get me nowhere.

quote:

---

Military is also an option. I've seen it straighten up a fee people's work ethic

---

This. Some people aren't ready for college right out of high school. After serving, go to college or get a real job with that work ethic you speak of. Then after college, there is always the OCS option and a career in the military or spend time as an O and get out with a pretty strong resume that would look good to any employer.

I dropped out of college, I got tired of being broke and just didn't like it. For the most part I have mostly worked oilfield and industrial construction. I do construction lay-out as a field engineer/ party chief. For a long time if I made under a hundred grand I felt like the year was a bust. I am no longer in the field because of health reasons but I feel like I am on the right track and I am hopeful that I can return in less than a year if I keep making progress.

Has plant worker been mentioned?

If you want to pay for college, your kid is stupid for not taking that incredibly generous gift.

I also have two other children who will graduate college May 2014 and 2015. This son has a good ACT score but not great grades since he has worked the same job since he turned 16. We constantly fight that he works too much and takes a part time job way too serious so work ethic shouldn't be a problem. He also plays sports and works out so he is not a lazy slob. But college would mean loan debt and four more years of school that he is not feeling. His dad was injured in Afghanistan so I would prefer no military. Was just curious on some OT perspective.

I DON"T WANT YOUR LIIIIFE!!!!