By Guadalupe Prado –

As the class of 2016 looks forward to walking the grass and starting their lives post-PHS, there is a great deal of stress that falls on the shoulders of these students. While some have a clear plan and know exactly what they want to do and how to get there, others are still undecided and need to think about their futures.

This is the time when students feel like they are being pressured into becoming somebody. Most students know that they should go to college to achieve their dreams, and even with a clear plan to get there, the pressure of going to college is not only getting into a desired school, but paying for that school.

Some students are lucky enough and have worked hard enough to get scholarships and grants to get to the school of their choice. Others don’t even know what they want to do after high school, either work, trade school, or military. Those that do want to go to college usually don’t have a plan if they are not accepted to a college.

Society puts a great deal of pressure on students to succeed, to go to college and ensure that students make something important of themselves. Families want their children to make them proud, going to college to bring pride to the family. The PHS faculty and staff want the best for their students, to have them go out into the world and make their mark, and make the school community proud too.

This is a lot of pressure to succeed. All the voices are coming at juniors and seniors are all saying the same thing, “Go to college.”

Is college the ONLY way to make it in the “real” world? Not necessarily. College is a choice. It is a good choice for many. It is the right choice for others, but it is not the only choice for every student, and it is not mandatory.

College is expensive, so sometimes it is better to make sure what the best field is before wasting time and money on a major that will not help reach that goal.

One anonymous PHS graduate from the class of 2015 is just now deciding what major she wants. She derides anyone who says that she is lazy, saying, “I just want to make sure what I want to do before I spend all kinds of money.” And she is quick to add that students should find their own way and listen to their own heart.

There are real struggles after high school, and in life, and unless there is a clear plan to give direction, then people tend to just stagnate and never reach their goals. The best course of action is to picture yourself in five years, or ten years, and then make a plan to get there.

Even with a clear plan and a set goal in mind, many, even most, college students change their minds about their career choices once they find out the realities of that field. Students often change their majors. However, those that are determined will succeed if they put in the time and effort to achieve their dreams.

For seniors at PHS the first thing to do is to graduate. Take a break from planning every detail of life and then choose a path that seems to make the most sense.

No one needs to do this alone. There are teachers and guidance counselors that are ready to help students discover and reach their goals. After all, these are the people who want to be proud of you when you succeed. It is okay to change your mind, everyone does. Just be true to yourself and do what makes you feel fulfilled.

Everyone has the pressure of what they want or who they want to be. However, in the “real” world everyone has the freedom to pursue any dream, as long as they have the drive and will to succeed.