“So, what are you interested in studying in college?” This question is asked countless times to countless teens, and is likely to be met with either a lion’s roar of confidence about the future, or the meekest of mouse squeaks about community college, or getting a job, or… or… something. In any case, the future is now, or at least coming up pretty soon, so high school students everywhere have to figure out what that means for them.

   For many students at UC High, college at a four-year university is the go-to plan. Senior Raziel Padilla stated, “Junior year, I didn’t know what I was going to do after high school, but now I’m pretty set. I want to go to college, and then pursue a career after that. I want to start at a CSU, and then I’ll probably go to a UC after that.” In today’s tough job market, earning a degree has become increasingly important, making college a practical and appealing option to many students.

   Of course, this does come with a pretty hefty price tag. According to the Education Data Initiative, “The total average student loan debt (including private loan debt) may be as high as 42,673 dollars” (educationdata.org). This isn’t for nothing, though. The United States Social Security Administration has found that median lifetime earnings for college graduates is, on average, hundreds of thousands of dollars more than that of people that only have a high school diploma (ssa.gov). As much as it has already been said, college is widely viewed as a long-term investment in one’s future.

   Senior Sadie Wheeler also shares dreams of pursuing a degree at a four-year university. “I see myself at a four-year university on the east coast. I want to pursue my PhD,” Wheeler said. Well, for her, it’s less of a dream, and more of a true work in progress. Wheeler has long planned and worked toward being accepted into some of the top schools in the nation. “I would say I’ve been thinking about this since sixth grade,” she said. One top school Wheeler has already been accepted into is Rutgers University, though she explained that it’s actually one of her safety schools. For students who have spent years preparing academically, aiming for highly selective schools is an achievable goal.

    Another post-graduation destination is Community College. Many UC High students continue their education at Miramar, City or Mesa College, which offer affordable tuition and flexible opportunities. While it may not carry Harvard levels of prestige, community college is probably one of the best options for any student, regardless of academic achievement. They’re much cheaper than four-year universities, and can be a great way to save money while earning an associate’s    degree, or fulfilling general education requirements before transferring for further education.

  Junior Ben Clarke shared his perspective on the importance of a college education. “As much as I would love to say that you don’t need college, because a lot of people do well without it, I would say going to community [college], at least, is important. It sucks that a lot of places just won’t take you if you’re not at least a little bit educated,” Clarke shared. Wheeler and Padilla shared similar views, agreeing that furthering one’s education is often the most direct path to career stability. Whether this involves a standard university, community college, or trade school, in general, using education to cultivate skills will ultimately make one more fit, well-rounded, and hireable.

   Of course, going straight to college isn’t for everyone, and certainly isn’t the only option. Excited to pursue a career involving music, Clarke explained, “[My plans] are definitely going to be music focused…. I’m thinking maybe Marine Core band, because they’ll pay for your college, and that’s kind of nice.” Clarke is looking for a smart and fun way to tackle college.

   There are a plethora of opportunities outside of school that are certainly worth looking into, so students should keep that in mind and not feel like they have to rush straight into college. A gap year might provide some the opportunity to explore different options. You’re only young once, and never know what you might run into. At the end of the day, whatever the plan is, it’s important to start thinking ahead and formulating goals.