I finished high school at 14 through Penn Foster, but I'm not sure whether I should start college right away or wait until I'm older. I'd like to use this time well instead of simply staying home, and I'm especially interested in technology and programming. I've tried freeCodeCamp but don't know whether to continue. Should I explore coding, other subjects, work, or practical skills before deciding on college?
2 Answers
Use this period to explore rather than forcing yourself to specialize. If programming interests you, try web development, game development, robotics, Python, JavaScript, or another area and build small projects. Learning by making things is usually more useful than collecting tutorials. You could also explore practical skills, creative subjects, part-time work, or different career paths before choosing a degree.
You don’t need to rush into college at 14. College involves academics, but it’s also a major social and life experience, so starting much later than everyone else can be challenging. Consider taking your time, building discipline and communication skills, exercising, exploring interests, and getting advice from trusted adults or educators. You can still attend college eventually, when you feel ready and have a clearer idea of what you want.
My main dream is professional football, although it may not work out, so I’m trying to develop other useful options too.