I had very average grades; As and Bs in humanities, Cs and Ds in math and science. I even got expelled from high school for drugs.

I took a year of community college, got decent grades, and got into a decent state school. Went into the nonprofit/association world and am doing very well considering how everything started.

As long as they're just lazy/unmotivated like me and not actually stupid they'll be fine if they can figure out how to apply themselves.

Honestly these days it's probably easier than ever for young people to distinguish themselves in the entry level if they can write in complete sentences, use business-appropriate language and grammar, do basic tasks on a PC, and not rely on ChatGPT for everything. If they can't then, as the kids these days say, they're cooked.

OP here. I guess I want to know how kids who are kind of slow fare in life, their careers.

If any of you were not very good at academics, nor very charming and street smart, are you successful in life with a good income?

What kind of job do you do?

I grew up in such a competitive "hothouse" environment when it came to going to top colleges that as an eventual parent I got truly shocked to find out how many people either just don't care about it or their kids just go pretty much "anywhere" ... places like lesser state campuses that out-of-state people have never even heard of and no one even takes time to rank.

Wealthiest classmate I had who just donated a $15m building to my prep school sent both her kids to places exactly like that. They were either sub intellects or maybe they're just too rich to care.

The whole game seems different today

Of course. Average kids go to average colleges.
But I wouldn’t push them to college if they have a viable alternative plan for their future. And I wouldn’t go into debt paying for a pricey college if I didn’t think they were truly interested or would succeed.

OP here. My kid is like a tag along, slow at grasping things, has 2 friends who ditch DC when they find someone else to hang out with. DC is not very outspoken or bright and charming which is what has me worried more than the being average at studies.

I was a terrible student but bright and charming, and I managed to put myself through school after spending most of my twenties partying. I make great money now and don’t feel behind my peers in any way.

Don’t worry so much. There are many paths to success.

Anonymous wrote:More important than college is their social predisposition - can they mix with people, can they read a room, how friendly and able to connect to form relationships? These things go 1000000000% more than a college degree. I say this as someone who hires $250-400k exec top tier grads - some of whom are dumb as rocks. I also have worked for community college grads who were savvy enough to work their way up the corporate ladder and were some of the best bosses I've ever had.

Don't be one of those people who can't think out of the box OP - don't just look at what is "supposed" to be or what "expectations" have been met. That kind of attitude will never get you very far in life. If you're a high achiever, be one organically and if you're not, still be true to who you are and somehow, things will work out because there is simply no other way for things to be.

Have a little faith in your kid

A zoom breakout room?

More important than college is their social predisposition - can they mix with people, can they read a room, how friendly and able to connect to form relationships? These things go 1000000000% more than a college degree. I say this as someone who hires $250-400k exec top tier grads - some of whom are dumb as rocks. I also have worked for community college grads who were savvy enough to work their way up the corporate ladder and were some of the best bosses I've ever had.

Don't be one of those people who can't think out of the box OP - don't just look at what is "supposed" to be or what "expectations" have been met. That kind of attitude will never get you very far in life. If you're a high achiever, be one organically and if you're not, still be true to who you are and somehow, things will work out because there is simply no other way for things to be.

Have a little faith in your kid

There are 19-20 million college students in the US. Many of them are average students.

Are you including 2 year associate's degree programs as "college?"

Yes. I would be more concerned if you can afford it

Colleges are full of average kids. The only question is if your child wants to go to college.

Post in colleges forum

What do you consider average?

I'm worried about my DC who is just an average student who is cruising along, takes a long time to do anything, and is not street smart either. If your kid was like mine, did they go to college? If yes, what did they major in and how are they doing in life, on the job? Do they earn well?