I went to college and became an engineer. It was the 1980s and average grades were normal.

Anonymous wrote:Did you go to college? Or trade school?

If you went to college, what degree did you get and how much do you get paid annually?

I'm worried about my average non motivated kid who doesn't know what they want to be and am trying to steer them towards college and getting some degree that would at least help them land a decent job.

Advice appreciated.

Most 17 year olds are very uncertain of what they want to be. I was the average student in high school you describe. Attended a very good but not highly competitive college. The job I have now has nothing to do with what I studied. During those 4 years in college I grew academically as well as personally. I now have a successful career and make more money than I ever thought I would. Encourage and support your kid to pursue a college degree- it’s a wonderful way to explore interests, challenge beliefs and grow up.

Anonymous wrote:I went to Va Tech. Graduated with an Economics degree. This was 4 years ago.

Troll.

Oh and I meant to say that I took a gap year, which is how I know it might motivate a kid to go to college and do well. That's what happened to me. I got recruited for a sport, didn't want to go do that (depression), so I didn't go to college right out of high school. Over the course of the following year I figured out I DID want to go to college so then I applied to Indiana, got in, and went and did very well.

People around here make it out like what happens to you immediately following high school makes or breaks the rest of your life, but that isn't true especially if you have a family that can help support you taking a little more time to figure things out.

I mean, I didn't even really have all B's and C's (I had some D's and even an F) and I went to Indiana University and graduated in phi beta kappa. My SAT score was fine, but nothing great. Having said that I was in high school in the 90's, was depressed, didn't study for the SAT, only took it once, and skipped ALOT of school my last two years of high school. I was initially recruited by a different school for a sport I was good at, but I didn't participate in that at IU so that was a non-factor.

Not sure how much an experience from that many years ago is worth. I think going to a large state school can be a solution (maybe not UMD though) and/or find a small school that the kid is interested in and then have them demonstrate the interest. Or take a gap year and let the kid get a real taste of life without a college degree and then they will be more motivated.

Kicked around a bit in HS and college. Finally got myself motivated when I got to higher division classes and went to law school. Now earning 7 figures. All is not lost, OP.

*launch

C student, Business major, earning 145K in govt. I've earned 200-220K a few years, but that's the cap. First gen, low income.

School is boring for a lot of kids, especially boys. Some of us lunch later.

I think my husband graduated HS with a 2.0 or thereabouts. He couldn't get into Arizona State as a resident.

Went to CC, went to university, got engineering degree, worked for a while then went to law school. Undergrad took longer (changed majors a few times plus had some major tragic life events) but tuition was also dirt cheap in the 90s.

Turned out ok.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The A students work for the B students, the C students own the businesses, and the D students dedicate the buildings.

That only works for C and D students with wealthy parents. D students with working class parents are asked to leave (you have to be very wealthy for a school to let you stick around with a D average) or just drop out

Maybe true about Ds, which is why the phrase is Cs get degrees. But not true about C students. I remember the celebration when my dad first made a 5-figure annual salary, $10,000 annual with a family of 6. My Dad built our furniture out of found scrap wood. My C student sibling is a standard, rise through the ranks, corporate America, multi-millionare. You don't have to come from wealth or be an A student to do well. You have to not give up.

D is for Diploma is also a saying. I think B or C kid who is very personable and driven will go further than an A introvert. The problem is getting the initial opportunity which is much easier with a higher average from a better known school

This was my experience. Good, not great, student. No real opportunities so I had to manufacture them. But once I did, the sky was the limit. Go the best school you can, it makes the first step easier but it won't dictate your success. You will.

I was a B/C (sometimes D) student in HS (graduated with a 2.6.) Went to college. Graduated with a 2.7. Got into grad school and graduated with a 3.5. Have been gainfully employed since graduation. I am great at my job. I am not great at school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The A students work for the B students, the C students own the businesses, and the D students dedicate the buildings.

That only works for C and D students with wealthy parents. D students with working class parents are asked to leave (you have to be very wealthy for a school to let you stick around with a D average) or just drop out

Maybe true about Ds, which is why the phrase is Cs get degrees. But not true about C students. I remember the celebration when my dad first made a 5-figure annual salary, $10,000 annual with a family of 6. My Dad built our furniture out of found scrap wood. My C student sibling is a standard, rise through the ranks, corporate America, multi-millionare. You don't have to come from wealth or be an A student to do well. You have to not give up.

D is for Diploma is also a saying. I think B or C kid who is very personable and driven will go further than an A introvert. The problem is getting the initial opportunity which is much easier with a higher average from a better known school

Your kid will be able to get into college so the grades aren't a big problem. I would work on their soft skills/people skills and try to find a career path that actually motivates them.

Anonymous wrote:The A students work for the B students, the C students own the businesses, and the D students dedicate the buildings.

Said the parent of the D kid. This is all nonsense.

Anonymous wrote:Can always go to NVCC with transfer to university in 2 years.

Yes. Guaranteed admission to UVA with a 3.4 GPA from any VA community college.