Anonymous wrote:School just isn’t fun anymore. It’s not about exploration or making friends. From one year before they start tracking math in your neighborhood, it’s about executive function and taking all the right classes. And it never ends. You might as well stop spending money and start making money, because you’re not having fun anyway.

Paying shit ton of money for some fun and making friends sounds very weird in the first place

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School just isn’t fun anymore. It’s not about exploration or making friends. From one year before they start tracking math in your neighborhood, it’s about executive function and taking all the right classes. And it never ends. You might as well stop spending money and start making money, because you’re not having fun anyway.

+1

There isn’t a lot of room for creative exploration in school any more, either at the college or HS level. It is all about the grade grind. That makes it boring and if you are going to grind you might as well get money for it.

Are the kids happier once they start working?

Yes. Working 9-5 with no homework is 100% better

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:School just isn’t fun anymore. It’s not about exploration or making friends. From one year before they start tracking math in your neighborhood, it’s about executive function and taking all the right classes. And it never ends. You might as well stop spending money and start making money, because you’re not having fun anyway.

+1

There isn’t a lot of room for creative exploration in school any more, either at the college or HS level. It is all about the grade grind. That makes it boring and if you are going to grind you might as well get money for it.

Are the kids happier once they start working?

Anonymous wrote:School just isn’t fun anymore. It’s not about exploration or making friends. From one year before they start tracking math in your neighborhood, it’s about executive function and taking all the right classes. And it never ends. You might as well stop spending money and start making money, because you’re not having fun anyway.

+1

There isn’t a lot of room for creative exploration in school any more, either at the college or HS level. It is all about the grade grind. That makes it boring and if you are going to grind you might as well get money for it.

School just isn’t fun anymore. It’s not about exploration or making friends. From one year before they start tracking math in your neighborhood, it’s about executive function and taking all the right classes. And it never ends. You might as well stop spending money and start making money, because you’re not having fun anyway.

If they are full pay, graduating early saves money. They may have AP or a dual Enrollment credits that can be applied. Plus they can start working early. With college costs skyrocketing, the question to ask is why not graduate early? Of course if they have scholarships or aid tied to being there for 4 years that’s a different story.

My DS could graduate early but he was accepted into a program that will require him to graduate on time. It was a consideration because money is tight. I told him if he graduated in December, he could continue to live in the college town in his apartment to enjoy spring senior year. I do agree that they shouldn't rush college if only for social reasons.

All the AP classes taken in MCPS and going to OOS publics where they accept the APs makes it super easy to graduate in 3 years, saving tens of thousands of dollars, which in our case, can then go toward grad school

DD plans to graduate a semester early in December. Even though we are struggling to cover her full tuition, I told her she should stay for all 4 years. Especially because Covid ended HS for her with no prom or graduation etc. She should have it this time round.

myob? Maybe they have a good job already lined up? Maybe they want to leave the college years behind and start working?

My super smart DC would rather work than go to school, but they know they need a college degree. They can graduate early with all the AP credits, but they will probably do a +1 masters, so they will probably graduate with a masters and maybe double major in 4 years.

To take some gap years.

If it makes you feel better, my kid is graduating one year late.

going to grad, law, medical school?

its costly

Seeing/hearing from neighbors, acquaintances & relatives that their 2024 kids are graduating next month instead. WHY? You’re only young once! It’s crazy to me. There’s no way this is a money thing. It’s so sad. And these kids probably stifled their professional prospects due to not having time to do multiple internships. Why such a rush to grow up?