What should I go to college for?

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Mainly, but not exclusively, people come to you to see if they have a genetic disorder or discuss the chances of them/their family member having one. I think this is a good explanation:

...But I don't even own a computer, or any tech beyond this cheap phone! How could I do what people mean by " going to online college " then?
And besides, what I want is the " real " college experience- which I never had when was anywhere near the " normal " age, and my lack of which has been a lifetime of tears for me . (An online thing, as a stepping stone to the " real thing ", could be acceptable to me.)




"StampySquiddyFan"]

I'm sorry somebody tells you that you can't go to college- why do you let them stop you? You could even go to an online college.[/quote]

In my opinion, one should strive to be a well-rounded Renaissance Person, rather than merely focus on one or two things.

It's great, Stampy, that you have an interest in the Violin, as well as autism. And you have a good variety of other interests, too.

I agree with the others that your interests will likely change as you get older. It's good that you're thinking ahead, but keep your options open.

For a bit of perspective, at 13, I wanted to be a special education teacher, and at 17 I had my heart set on being a Classicist.

I ended up doing neither of those things. In retrospect, I would have been bored as a special education teacher, and while I am sure I would have liked being a Classicist, my employment prospects would have been terrible. I was 100% sure I was going to do both at some point in my life, though!

I'd take classes outside of your interests where you can. You never know when you'll find a topic you didn't expect to enjoy that eventually informs your career path. I did!


...The one thing I would think about for sure is career prospects, though... So many of my classmates followed their "dream major," and they now have debt up the wazoo and low-paying jobs they don't actually a need a degree for. At least in the US, people encourage students to study whatever they want, but that translates poorly to the real world, where degrees are a dime a dozen and employers would rather choose the computer science major over the ethnic studies major. It's not enough to just have a degree anymore.

Thank you!

I'm still an aspie! I won't change that much

Thanks for replying! I will keep my options open, but I feel like I need some direction right now because I feel quite hopeless and aimless .

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I'm sorry about that. Don't beat yourself up over the past, ASS-P. Even if you don't go to college, you can still look forward to the future.

Thanks!

I guess I do have more interests, it's just that I'm not as interested in them. People here keep saying my interests will change, but I don't think my "special interests" are going anywhere .

I know a lot of older people will tell younger people to keep their options open but trust me, that can backfire really bad! Like me, my mother really didn't lead me towards any direction, I got no advise on what job I should pursue, none of that! Now I'm trying to get a job(not knowing how to advance, not know who to talk to to get ahead in life!, not knowing the information I would need to have a higher chance of getting hired. ) had I started at an earlier age I might know what I want to do and where I want to go. So right now I just feel like a lost child in a huge forest.

I like the concept of keep your options open, but it's also a good thing to have a few ideas already planned!

StampySquiddyFan I have a few ideas, you could go to college to get a degree in graphics designing, programming computers, animation.(Since one of your interests is Minecraft!)

Another idea is you could get a degree in psychology, social working, a nurse, a counselor.(You said you want to work with kids that have ASD.)

Those are some things you could go to college for. (Though like everybody said keep your options open). I find it great that you're taking the initiative! You will soon be in high school (and trust me that can fly by quickly!) so nice to get a head start!

Thank you for understanding, AquaineBay! I would like to at least have an idea so I can start choosing high school courses soon . I hope you are able to find something you want to do as well! Thanks for your suggestions- I would love to get a degree in anything computer or ASD related . I will definitely keep my options open, but I would like to have a general idea since some of my friends have their whole life planned out already . Thank you!

This. I think even at 18 it's still a bit young to choose what sort of career one wants to invest loads of energy, time and money into, much less at 13!

There are so many subjects out there that you have no idea exist, and it's possible that when you encounter them you might end up falling in love with it and choose to pursue it as your career.

I would advise you talk to people who work in your areas of interest, if possible. Get an idea of what they do, the job market, etc...

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when i went to high school, students there were a lot of courses students had to take. and not much room for choice.

however, i am 34 years old. and you are 13 years old. plenty of things have changed since then. besides, your high school is not the same as mine.

especially for college bound students . college prep this, honors that, AP that .

what i regret the most, was failing to take Computer Science. especially in this day and age, it appears that pretty much every high school student could benefit from taking computer science. not just students planning to major in Computer Science.

my high school did not offer many electives.

if you are so inclined, look up what courses are required by the colleges you want to apply to.

discuss it with the school counselor. when i went to the school counselor the first time, both of my precious lil "parents" went with me.

your friends with their whole lives planned out might not end up following their plans.

ten years ago, a 24 year old living in the same house as me. got a stroke. he was a phd student in electrical engineering. something like that. after the strokes, he could no longer follow the plans. however well laid.

but if and when situations change, you can change plans too.

sometimes it's good to make long term plans. taking the big picture.

sometimes it's good to live in the moment.

I don't want to choose it now, per se, but rather have a general idea in mind. Otherwise I just feel kind of aimless.