1. Money concerns.
Some students underestimate college costs and realize too late that they lack the funds to cover it all. Others decide they’d rather be making money working full time than pursuing a costly degree. Still others become discouraged at the prospect of incurring loan debt. Avoid so-called sticker shock and other financial pitfalls by sitting down with your parents or a counselor before enrolling, to examine all possible avenues for funding as well as the pros and cons of enrolling straight out of high school versus taking a gap year.
2. Poor preparation.
It literally pays to plan for college, but financial cost isn’t the only factor. It’s important for college-bound students to understand that their workloads, social habits, and daily routines—plus a host of other things—can all change pretty drastically. One key to navigating unfamiliar territory is to maintain strong ties with others who have been there—parents, older friends and siblings, and college counselors can all help you mentally prepare for this big life change.