| As funny as it may sound, when I was growing up | | | | There are still plenty of options available to you. First |
| nobody ever bothered mentioning to me about the | | | | and foremost, you may have to pass on some |
| importance of having good grades... I kid you not. | | | | colleges with tighter admission requirements if you still |
| Maybe I was just the product of bad counseling or | | | | want to attend a 4-year college or university. |
| maybe while they were mentioning grades, I just | | | | You may want to consider enrolling at a local 2-year |
| wasn't listening. But now that I have my own children | | | | community college where you can begin to discipline |
| and now that my oldest is preparing to enter college, | | | | yourself to study and perform at a level that a |
| I am very glad that they have not inherited my early | | | | college student should be performing at. This will allow |
| bad habits. Ever since my kids could understand what | | | | you time to really find out if college is for you and will |
| we were saying to them, my wife and I have | | | | allow you to do it at a much cheaper price. If after |
| stressed to them that scholarships are the rewards | | | | spending time at a 2-year college you are able to get |
| for having good grades (and good test scores). | | | | your study and work habits on track, then you can |
| Whoever said that you have to pay the price for | | | | transfer to a 4-year college or university to continue |
| good grades had it all wrong. | | | | your education. |
| Good Grades - Enjoying The Price | | | | College is Not Quite Me Far too many high-schoolers |
| I am thoroughly convinced that you do not pay the | | | | allow their parents or peer pressure from friends to |
| price for good grades - You enjoy the price of | | | | pushed them into enrolling into college, when they |
| having good grades. This is especially true during the | | | | simply did not have it in them. What usually happens |
| college application process. You pay the price for not | | | | to these kids is that they wind up doing poorly and |
| having good grades. | | | | flunking out or just dropping out after a few |
| Is College For You? The first thing you need to do is | | | | semesters. |
| face some real truths... Why were your grades not | | | | But Don't I Need A 4 Year College Education? Is a 4 |
| as good? Was it because you spent too much of | | | | year degree absolutely necessary? Not really, the |
| your time goofing off? Or, did you just struggle to | | | | fact of the matter is that there are millions of people |
| do the work? | | | | who are enjoying successful lives and earning good |
| Goofing off, that was my problem when I was in | | | | salaries who do not have a 4 year degree. The key |
| high school. On days when I wanted to get it done, I | | | | to obtaining gainful employment is not a degree, but |
| did. But on the days when I just didn't feel like giving | | | | having skills that are in demand. |
| it my all I didn't. As a result, my 4 years of high | | | | Alternatives to 4 Years of College You do not need |
| school were a lesson in under achievement, full of | | | | to earn a 4 year degree, but you may have to take |
| C's, D's and some F's. I learned the hard way that a | | | | some courses. However, this need not be done at a |
| 1.8 GPA won't get you accepted in many schools. | | | | large college or university. You can explore the |
| Let's face it, if neither English nor math nor science | | | | following: |
| were subjects you liked and if high school was a | | | | - Your local community college |
| struggle for you and it wasn't because you didn't | | | | - Trade Schools |
| apply yourself, then just maybe college is not for | | | | - Union Apprenticeship and Training Programs |
| you. However, fear not, to borrow a phrase from an | | | | Be Encouraged |
| old friend of mine "That don't make you a bad man" | | | | Under no circumstances should you give up. Continue |
| (English wasn't his best subject) you do have some | | | | to work to find out what you are good at. Everyone |
| alternatives. | | | | is an expert at something. With a little extra effort |
| Not so good Grades So you didn't hit the books as | | | | you can do it. Good Luck! |
| well as you should have. Fear not, all is not lost. | | | | |