By Eduardo Calderon | Staff Writer

As graduation approaches, the Jaguar community is saying goodbye to its senior class, and seniors are greeting a bright future in college.

“It’s important [college], because it determines the next four years of your life ,which determines your future after that,” senior Brad Bahena said.

One of the most complicating aspects of the college preparation is receiving a rejection letter in the mail.

“No one likes to feel like they’re not good enough,” Bahena said.

Many Jaguars feel terrible when such a letter arrives.

“I’d feel pretty stupid, because I got rejected from a college,” senior Thomas Garvey said, “If I tried, I could probably get in.”

Students with college in mind have many different reasons for going.

“To get a good education and have money in the future,” senior Christian Harris said.

Other students see it as an escape route from a life with a horrible job.

“If they didn’t go to college, then they would have to stay in a bad job; like fast food,” senior Michelle Land said.

Jaguars not planning on going to college should consider the alternative seriously.

“They think it’s the easy way out, but if you don’t go, then you’ll have to work harder for less money,” Land said.

As most will spend four years at their school of choice, students must make certain that their investment will meet their needs.

“Make sure that the college offers your major, and the campus compliments your needs and interests,” Bahena said.

College is not only about education. The experience opens the limited social circle of high school to a new mass of individuals.

“College is about getting a good education, and meeting new people. It actually matters more [than any other] level of school,” Land said.

If rejection is limiting students, there are several ways to continue pursuing higher education.

“You can always go to community college, and transfer out,” Land said.

Students should never give up their future due to an experience of failure in entering college.

“Education is important, so either way go through it and probably go to community college and move on from there,” Bahena said.