Feeling Guilty for Not Wanting to Go to College?

I graduated high school back in 2006. I have yet to go to college because I simply cannot afford it or get near enough in loans or financial aid. Recently my kid brother graduated high school and has decided he wants to attend the same college I was initially going to before I knew I couldn't get enough money, and what's more he wants to major in the same thing I do - theatre/acting. It's a small school/campus in state.

We have an orientation scheduled for tomorrow but I don't want to go. First, we don't get along and I don't want to be at the same small school, especially with him majoring in the same thing I would.

Also, I'm not sure I want to go to college even if I could afford it. I just don't like the idea of four more years of classes and tests and everything. But I feel bad because everyone puts such emphasis on going to college - I feel like a failure for not wanting to go.

Anybody have any advice about ANY of this at all? Thanks.

I take acting very seriously in every way and I know my brother doesn't - he just wants to be rich and famous whereas I actually care about characterization, method, and creation. It's like a slap in the face. I don't think I need college to try and pursue acting, but I don't know. I think maybe part of me is afraid he'll be more successful than me.

"We have an orientation scheduled for tomorrow but I don't want to go. First, we don't get along and I don't want to be at the same small school, especially with him majoring in the same thing I would."

What's this "we" business? If you're not going to college why are you going along or even remotely worrying about this?

If you don't want to go to college then, fine, don't. If you can't afford to go to that college then set your sites lower. Work and go to a community college, take night classes, summer classes, etc. But you don't need to have a degree in acting in order to act. If you love the profession and take it seriously you can still go to auditions and take part in local plays. If your brother thinks getting a degree in theatre = being a rich and famous movie star then he's going to find himself in four years' time with a lot of debt and nothing to do.

There are a ton of people that get along great without college, even Bill Gates. And actors can get along fine without college, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet. I don't think Jackie Chan even finished high school.

Anyway, the point is, you can suceed without college, especially if you're an actor. Folllow your passion, go to a few auditions, maybe a couple of community plays first? It doesn't matter if your brother is trying for the same thing you are, if he doesn't like the acting itself, he won't get very far in that career.

I think you need a lot more career and college planning. You do not need to feel guilty, but you should consider that many people want to go into acting, and getting some education will help you a lot. You can get involved in community theater while you take classes at a community college--I would NOT go to the same school as your brother, however. You could also do something else at school, and pursue acting as a part-time activity. That's what most people end up doing, BTW. There are thousands of Starbucks employees in NYC and LA who are "actors." Sad but true.

You don't have to feel guilty about not wanting to go to college. It helps to have a college degree and it makes things easier, but plenty of people have found success without it. You don't really need to go to college for acting.

Look just because many people end up going doesn't mean that you need to. You need to live life for yourself and not for others. You don't have to go with your bro to orientation if you don't want to. You are the one who must decide what success and failure means to you, others can't decide for you, and if they judge you, then its their loss. They just haven't found the way to be successful. But you might. Don't give up.

College isn't for everyone. Some people are perfectly happy without it.

AS for your little brother, just try to get along. Theatre people, true theatre people, should have tons in common and get along great with each other. As a younger brother myself I know that I can be annoying, but when my brother isn't acting an *** I can control it, IN fact most of the time when I annoy him I do it on purpose! So, just give him a chance! I would really recommend going to college too! It will just make things easier later in life. But, like I said, college isn't for everyone, there is no sense in being miserable, and wasting thousands of dollars for something you don't want to do, but give it a chance! After you start it may be totally different than you expect. From my experience, college classes may cover more difficult subjects, they are actually easier to really focus on.

And as for your brother majoring in the same field a you, don't worry, one of you will probably switch majors at some time, when one of you finds that sweet thing that really really interests you.