YOUR FUTURE ASSIGNMENT Discussion Questions

Why did we do this?  With this class I wanted to learn a little bit more about what you were thinking life will be like after high school  Try to make a connection that you will need certain skills/experiences to be successful in college or a career of your choice.  Hopefully get you to see that the choices that you make right now will impact the rest of your life  Find out if you can read directions

Not going to college  Is college for everyone?  Do you have skills that employers will find desirable?  Do you think having just a high school diploma will have an impact on how much $ you can earn?  Will someone who has a college degree get the job before someone who doesn’t?  What are some advantages of not going to school?  Disadvantages?

College  What do you think a typical day is like in college?  What do you think your classes will be like?  How many people will be in your class?  How close of a relationship to you think professors have with students?  What goes into calculating your grade?  Does attendance matter?

College Continued…  How will you pay for it?  Are you going to work while in college? If so doing what?  Will you have transportation?  Do you know how student loans work?  Will you be ready to pay it back?  Have you applied for any scholarships?  Do you know how much it is going to cost?  What will your loans will cover?

Facts  Just 54 percent of students entering four-year colleges in 1997 had a degree six years later  After borrowing for school but failing to graduate, many of those students may be worse off than if they had never attended college at all.  Colleges focus on getting you in school, but once you are there you are on your own

Calculations  Loan Rates – Click HereClick Here  NOTE – It will depend on the type of loan - ChaseChase  Cost – Grand Valley as an exampleGrand Valley as an example  Calculator - Click HereClick Here  How much will it cost? _________________  How much will the monthly payment be? ___________

The Honest Bottom Line  I am scared for some of you  You cant just turn on a magic switch that will change the way you work/act or skills you have  After high school no one is going to hold your hand and watch after you  Think about what you are doing and what you can do to help your future  I will help anyone who is willing to help themselves

Advice  Find something you like and that motivates you  If you hate going to work everyday you will never be happy  Be realistic when choosing what you want to do  Figure out a budget ahead of time, know what school, housing, transportation, insurance, etc is going to cost you  Don’t get trapped making bad decisions.