For students who already have a clear plan, this article may not be a concern.

But for those who feel uncertain, pressured, or even lost it’s easy to be overwhelmed to be told that college is the best way to success, which it can be for some. An anonymous interviewee who’s currently a senior plans on taking a gap year as she currently works at McDonald s. Her main focus is to find what her passion is while saving money. “I figure taking a gap year would give me time to figure things out without rushing into somethings I wasn’t ready for.” Before making her decision she admitted and expressed that she did feel discouraged with her decision as she kept comparing herself to others thinking that her choice was unethical and she was behind in life. “At first, I felt guilty but then later on realized that just because everyone else is doing something doesn’t mean it’s the only decision. But I think that you would have to think about what you actually want and not what people expect from you.” But as she realized that success does not only lie in following the traditional path, she began to embrace her own journey.

Now this article isn’t about downplaying the choice and importance of college as it’s a valuable choice for many. Instead, it’s about shedding light on the paths that often seem “insignificant” and just goes unnoticed. She implies that it’s okay to take time to explore after high school without having a clear plan. There’s different ways that people can lead a successful life such as trade schools, entrepreneurship, creative careers,gap year, or even entering the workforce right away.  But success isn’t a one-size-fits-all type, recognizing this can help people find their own unique paths.