From the moment we enter high school, college is pushed on us in every assembly, every AP level class, and every extracurricular activity. Undertaking a Bachelor’s degree becomes an assumed inevitability rather than an academic or career step. For many, it becomes a delay; by staying in academia, they aren’t forced to enter the job market. The college preparation obsession in American high schools has led many students onto degrees without a proper assessment of their options post-high school. “Among recent high school graduates, fewer than half said their school prepared them for any option other than college or a job.” I was fortunate enough to know what I wanted to study by my senior year of high school but many high school students apply and commit to colleges without a clear vision. While I believe college can be beneficial in allowing students to engage with a wide-range of subjects, it’s a hefty price tag for a self-discovery retreat.