With the end of the year quickly approaching, many questions are being raised, especially concerning the 2012 graduating class about what their life after High School will entail. Historically, there were only a limited number of paths a person could take after completing the equivalent of their High School education, but with the vast number of choices and opportunities that are presented to current graduates the question of what their life will consist of is more wide-open than ever. 

    Robert Frost, a celebrated American poet once said that, “College is a refuge from hasty judgment,” and Elbert Hubbard, a distinguished American editor, publisher, and writer stated that, “You can lead a boy to college but you can’t make him think.” Successes have always had divergent views on what post-secondary education means to the masses of population, and currently the indecision about whether college is positive or negative leads many to think that it’s what you make of it.

    Many of the teachers at Arbor View High School think similarly when it comes to what life after High School means for their current students. They are almost universal in believing that while college is not for everyone it does provide a haven to experiment and develop one’s self before determining what influence a person will provide during their lifetime. However, frightening statistics go along with college entrance. In fact, fewer than half of U.S. College students make it to graduation, which means that Americans have a better chance of getting an accurate weather report than completing their Bachelors program at their chosen university. Additionally, 85% of College students who believed that they knew what they wanted to major in change their minds once they begin; on average students change their major at least three times during their college career.

     With a little over a month left in the current school year decisions have to be made, and people have to choose what path will lead them to success in their future endeavors. While there are many paths to choose from one thing is certain, that life, no matter which road you choose is what you make of it.