Graduation is approaching; only a few more weeks until seniors complete one of the biggest milestones in their lives. After high school, life provides many paths to take into adulthood, and each senior here at West will take a different path and has a unique story.

 Although there are many benefits to attending college, some students decide to go straight into work. “I’ve never really been interested in college. It’s so expensive. And I have no motivation to do any of the learning/classwork there. I’m not going to spend money on something I’m uninterested in, and likely to fail. Plus, you don’t really need college. I’d rather work. It’s easier,” said Becca Roberts, senior at Normal West.

 Some students choose to go to Community College, in order to save as much money as possible from the expenses of college. “I’m getting my associates of science at Heartland, then transferring to St. Francis school of Nursing. I chose to start community college first to save money,” said Taylor Simpson, (12).

 The benefits of attending a community or junior college for the first two years are great, especially the monetary savings. No matter who you are, attending a public or private university is expensive. However, the accumulative cost of the average amount of four years at a university can be drastically reduced by going to a community college for two years.

 Despite the advantages of community college, many  seniors are tackling college head on, and jumping straight into a four-year university. “I think I’m ready for college. It’s going to be hard at first, adjusting and getting over being homesick, but I’ll adjust to life there. I’m going to Arizona State University to major in computer science engineering. My biggest fear about going to college, will be paying off student loans.” said Shawn Reischauer, senior at West.

 Abby Thompson is also going to Arizona State University. “Both of my sisters live down there, and my parents are moving down there too after I graduate. I will also pursue my soccer career by playing for a club team at Arizona State.”

 Best of luck out there seniors. No matter what route you take, you’ll be great.