Local students encouraged to consider college early

Tason Pusey - Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - Junior and senior years are when teenagers have to start thinking about life after secondary school. It isn't an easy decision, but it is smart to begin as soon as possible.

According to the National Center for Education statistics 60.5% of people under 25 in age go into college undecided about a major. Teens tend to be concerned about picking what college to attend and what to study.

Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) junior Makenna Elliot said “finding out what college to go to is something I over think it’s a big decision to make, there is also the thought that I might not get a college and something to major in.”

Though students are encouraged to make early decisions it is also just as important to have a clear plan. There are multiple different ways to make a future clearer.

The first step should be what your passion is. Most teens struggle with figuring out what that is.

A lot of teens also fear making this decision. It pressures them to not make a mistake and they feel like one bad decision could mess up their futures.

Studies show that 52% of teens in high school feel pressured about decisions for their future.

LRHS substitute Greg Purpus retired as an admissions officer at Western Kentucky University. He said getting first-hand knowledge about a career can help.

“Shadow a professional in an area they think they have some interest in...Do this before you go to college, while still in high school. It can help give you some direction,” Purpus said.

LRHS School Counselor Anastasia Verno said “students focus on the numbers which is important, but students need to give themselves more credit than a number, they need to present themselves.”