Yay,I'm almost there!!!

[Eureka]

yep, yep, its almost summer and next year is the big grad year for yours truly!!! so i'm excited because i have a chance t finally see the world!!

[Carolynn]

Hi little Sis.

If your grade average in highschool is in the upper 20%, and it felt "easy", go straight to MU, if you know your area of study. If not, you can take a general arts and sciences program that will introduce you to a variety of subjects of study for the first couple of years, and then maybe find one area you would like as a career.

If you need a little revision to bring you up to speed, or are not sure what you want from a university, go to the local college and then to MU.

If you are tired of school for a bit, go to Japan and arrange some travel in associated countries. Be careful what you eat. Travel can be "broadening". But it can stretch your mind too.

Forget the Navy or any military service. Not a good place for people who are a little "different" like us. Been there, done that. Survived, barely. No matter how they like to try to present themselves as professionals, they remain a plentitude of pot hole at the enlisted level you would be required to live at, and an pot hole is an pot hole no matter how you try to dress them up. If you are thinking of it as a means to get help with money for an advanced education, find another way. They do exist, and they are much less stressful. If you still find that alternative to have its attractions, then consider getting into IT or Admin, as those two groups make rate faster and therefore increase your earnings faster.

Give it all some more thought, and good luck sis.
Love, Carolynn

[Curly(SO)]

Go see your Dad and have some fun enjoying a different culture...Japan looks like an amazing country

My daughter is 18 in May and leaving school this summer, going to Uni in September. She is going to Alaska for a couple of months in the summer (she will stay with my aunt who lives there) which will be a wonderful experience for her, a Gap Year wasn't financially viable and she is keen to start uni. But if you can afford to do it....then I think it will be a great experience for you! ( make sure you don't get too used to not studying as sometimes taking a year out can make it hard to go back to school)

There...I've done my Motherly bit for the day

Love,
Curly

[KimberlyS]

Eureka - Go to Minnesota U!!! I hope you like the cold. It really is not that bad, most of the time.

Seriously, this is really a personal decision.

If you do not know what you want to do in life, are not ready to study and be serious; college can be a big waste of money and time. Unless you really want to party, spend money, and be drunk.

The service can allow you to make money while you decide what you really want to do.

Time with your Dad like that could be a once in a life time chance. Could be some great bonding time.

What ever you decide; decide for yourself, not others.

[DonnaT]

My wife and I visited her cousin, who is in the Navy, a couple of weekends ago. He's looking to switching services and going into the Army. Seems rank advancement in the Navy isn't very easy. Tests must be passed and there are a limited amount of openings.

The only reason I joined the Army was so I could afford college. So, if you can afford it and know your goal career, I suggest going for it.

Note that you can join your dad during the break between graduation and starting college.

As for going a local community college or a State U first, that depends on what you think you can handle. And what the benefits are for either choice. And the degree you want.

When I went to college, my field was to be in engineering. I had a choice, knowing I could do any of Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineering. Freshman year consisted of basic classes suitable for all three disciplines. Accordingly, no need to go to community college first.

However, if all the credits for community college are transferable to the state U, and it's cheaper to go to the community college, then starting there and then transferring seems like a good option. Provided that by the time you decide to transfer the state U will accept you.

[Jeannie]

Hi Eureka
Just a little advice from an old broad. If you want to go into military service just give the Coast Guard a chance. I was in the Coast Guard Reserves and it's a great service.
There are only 40,000 Coastys. If you join the Army or Navy there will be 40,000 on one base! The Navy guys will say"Shallow water sailors" but screw them! Most Coast Guard bases have 50 people, while the Navy turkeys are eating SOS and you'll be having lobster tails and steak.
Just go to uscg.mil and get the scoop.
The best is your chances of going to Iraq are slim to none! If you''re lucky enough,you wil be stationed in Hawaii or Provincetown in Cape Cod!
If you are on a bouy tender it's great fun. We would switch the green and red bouys and the Navy guys would run their ships aground. They would think they're going out to sea and run into the shore! They never know if they're coming or going. It's a hoot!
Give it shot Hon. You won't be dissapointed. Hugs.


Love
Auntie Jeannie

PS I'll put a picture in my gallery for you Hon.

[Gaven McLaren]

My suggestion would be take a bit of time with your father. Then go to a good school. The important thing would be if your father knows about your CD'ing that way you do not shock him with it. I wish I had told mine before he died.