I'm really worried about college.

college life is golden life

Yes and no. Yes, because if you don't take it seriously, you will not be able to "coast" nearly as much as a lot of people can in high school. No, because if you do all of the reading and study for tests for 20 minutes a day starting a week before a test, then you will do really well.

That being said, you can get as good of an education as you allow yourself to get at college. You can develop yourself as much at any state school as you can at Harvard (and for a lot less money). Working hard, taking on leadership roles along the way, and trying to gain as much experience as possible will go much further than the name of your college when it comes to getting a job or getting into grad school.

3.2 is not that bad! It's in fact somewhat high already. Just do your best. Find a course related to arts. Going for something you enjoy or something related to your interests would make college life easier.

I couldn't be more excited for college. Can't way to get out of here.

You definitely still have a chance of getting into a good college. It also seems like your grades were low in the beginning on high school and then improved. That's a great position to be in because admissions will see that you became more serious about school. School's understand that people make mistakes. They're looking for improvement.

Insofar as whether or not college is worth it... definitely. You will learn so much and not just from classes. But do take your time in finding a school that is right for you. Every school is different. Go on tours of the campuses you're interested in to learn which college you could really see yourself at. Also be sure to look at each art department and try to meet with some faculty or talk with some current students. They can give you great insight into the inner workings or the department.

Good luck!

see, this is what i can't stand. High school puts SO much pressure and emphasis on being THE BEST and choosing your career NOW....thats a crock of s***. You have your WHOLE life ahead of you. Don't buy into the whole "college-life" crap. you make your own experience. You dont NEED to dorm far away. you dont NEED to get into a TOP 10 school to be successful. you dont NEED every GRANT out there to pay for school. you dont NEED to have a 4.0 GPA to get accepted. you dont NEED to have a huge list of extra-curricular activities to get accepted. once you've completed a semester in college, you'll understand.

These high school counselors put WAY too much emphasis on this s***, and if anything, it intimidates students. If the s*** they promote is true, explain why most students transfer closer to home after freshman year? Explain all the people who didn't start their education until they were in their 30's and are successful. Everyone's life is going to lead down a different path. Don't stress about it now. you're just a baby...and so am i

There's a really great, yet small, photography/graphic arts school near Philly. It's called the Antonelli Institute... I got accepted there and seeing as how I didn't try at all in HS, my GPA was probably not all that great. I don't know where at in PA you live, but it's worth looking into if thats the type of art you're into. Good luck!

Don't freak. out, you'll be fine. Just apply to the colleges that you want to go to and hope for the best.