Delaying College

[beckers]

Since the OP’s daughter does want to go, your point is moot.

I think some of us were picking up on the fact that the OP stated
"Of course, all of her friends are talking about college and she has jumped on the bandwagon. But, she is starting to feel a lot of pressure about where to go from there. "

For me it sent red flags up because does she really want to go or just go because all of her friends are going and she wants to follow them?

I think taking a few classes would help her figure out if she wants to continue her education. And maybe letting her take off a year is okay. I mean she has been going to school since she was 5 years old. All she has known is how to be a student. Maybe she needs a little time to figure out who she is before she commits to a certain path?

 

[JustAnotherThou]

I agree with many of the posts that you need to let her take the lead and that she should look at going to a community college for her general ed.
I also suggest to you and parents with children like yours (who are not geared to be university bound) to look at some trade schools. Once they determine what kind of trade work they would like to do of course. You get more for your money that way too. My son went to diesel mechanic school, he is now making 65K+ a year and this is just his second year out (he did work before and while going to school). He is also going back to a trade school this year to get his certifications in welding. I also have a friend that went to Nursing School and is working as a traveling nurse (she loves to travel) she is banking up sooo much money and her student loans are already paid off.
Anyway, my final thought is if a family does not have money to spend on their child going to a university, and the child is not geared to a university, look at the other options out there.

I also agree with doing the charity work.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with a parent showing their child what the options are and helping them through the lingo of it all. Just don’t do it for them.
Or you can do what my dad did. He told my brother, sister, and I, you either go to college or the military and which ever one you do, you finish it (HUGE period after that).
He has two college graduates and one that is on his 20 something year of trying to finish the military LOL!