The college application process is a difficult one, and deciding on which school to pick can be even harder. The task of selecting the “right fit” can feel overwhelming.  This can lead to great outcomes, but sometimes people realize maybe college is not the path they would like to follow. This realization can feel both liberating and daunting, prompting individuals to explore alternative routes. Throughout Miami Palmetto Senior High, many have chosen just that.

Deciding to not go to college comes with a lot of new responsibilities, but it is not impossible. There may be stigmas surrounding the topic, but senior Rowan Marks, a future au pair, is not afraid to chase her dream.

“I will be working at daycare places for a year in England, learning early childhood learning. I do plan on attending college afterward, but later in life. I think I wanted to do this because of growing up with younger siblings and cousins to look after,” Marks said.

This experience will not only enrich her understanding of child psychology, but also lead her to a path of taking in future endeavors.

“I wanted to move to England because I’ve always been fascinated with their culture. I knew getting into a college over there as an international student would be hard, so I sought out different opportunities. Since I’ve been dealing with kids my whole life, I thought being an au pair would be a great plan for me,” Marks said.

Choosing what is best for oneself is important, as one should be their own main priority. It is okay to take time to figure out which path to pursue, and sometimes even taking a gap year may be beneficial for some people.

“I think some people are pressured with the societal norm of going into college right away ever since they were little. But a gap year can serve a lot of purposes such as focusing on building financial security, exploring the world, creating connections, and even to find out who you are. A lot of people go into college unsure of what they want to pursue, but what better way is there to find out than to test the waters yourself? I feel like many people don’t consider the ways you can learn and build experiences through ways other than a college education,” senior Sara Kharouf said.

Stereotypes around the decision to not go to college can cause lots of stress, but junior Helena Kawamura believes that the odds could be broken.

“If you’re a person who has goals in mind and passions you want to accomplish in life but college just isn’t on the table for you, you’d still be determined to accomplish those goals. In most cases, people who don’t attend college already have a set goal in their lives and begin chasing it after high school, with college out of the picture, so they should not be considered failures,” Kawamura said.

Junior Janiyah Moreland plans on participating in the Coast Guard, to join college afterward to start a career.

“I plan on joining the Coast Guard to help guard the oceans. Afterward, I would like to attend college,” Moreland said.

As Moreland embraces this decision, she acknowledges that while going straight into college holds significance, alternative avenues can also lead to meaningful and rewarding journeys.

Senior Amit Benknaan decides to take a meaningful journey into the Israeli Defense Force.

“I want the next generation to not go through what I went through. One requirement for becoming a fighter pilot in the IDF is attending college for four years while still serving. I will be enrolling in computer science classes during my time serving,” Benknaan said.

While college remains a valuable option for many, it is essential to recognize that it is not the sole pathway to success and fulfillment.