Alright. So, I'm a pretty smart kid. I want to go somewhere. I want to touch people's lives. I want to be admired and admire... All of that good stuff.
It's the end of my Senior year and I know my interests... I know I like to help people... but I LOVE being creative.
I was considering being a High School teacher. Perhaps English since I'm always reading and loving my English classes. I could see myself up there teaching kids my age. And being the "cool teacher." And there is always that fear that I might be that teacher that all the kids HATE and wish would die.
But then I've been looking at AI (Art Institute.) I'd have to move to Atlanta for about 6 years and it's REALLY expensive.. and I come from a family with little money. I'm the first to graduate high school in a while. So, I'd be the first to go to college for my immediate family. I don't want the money to be an issue of my decision for education and a career, but it IS. And will be.
Anyway... So, if I did go to AI I'd go in for Game Art and Design. I love video games. Not so much I'm obsessive, but I've got good ideas. I like to write, and imagine these little dramas... and well, I got creativity, okay? XD I'd love to make some good video games... And not like every other game out on the market. When I play games, it's like they are all the same... I wanna spice it up. I want to cause a revolution or something. But I'm scared out of my mind to go to Atlanta and basically FAIL. I don't want to go up there, decide it's all wrong, and that I SUCK at it. I'm not good at drawing, but I've always got ideas for characters and how they'd look and I wish I could get them out and create a story-line...
Tuition is AWFUL. And living the dorms would COST so much. I'd defiantly have to go into debt probably for the rest of my life. But someone told me not to let money be a big issue, as long as I could live happily doing what I am doing: go for it.

Problem is... WHAT will make me happy? I've already taken self-assessment tests and whatnot, and they helped me understand I'm artistic and want to work with people and help people. But that opens more doors... What should I do with my life?

So, I'm coming here for some good advice from anyone in my situation or those who have gone through this... or just someone who'd like to encourage me. I've got to start filling out papers and applications...
So, is it Atlanta...? Or my small-town community college?

Aww... I sympathize with you. My parents are struggling now to help keep me out of debt while I'm in college (too late though, I've already taken out tons of loans).

First of all, congratulations on finishing high school and being one of the first people in your family to go to college. That's really admirable.

Second of all, don't let the costs deter you. Even if you have to spend years paying back loans, you'll be much better off than if you never went to college. If I were you, I would definitely apply for some scholarships. They have scholarships for practically everything, so I'm sure you could get at least something. Even if it's only a little bit, it'll be sure to help.

Also, since money is a big issue, be careful when purchasing your textbooks. You can often find much cheaper copies online (even factoring in shipping costs). Also, you might not necessarily need every book, even if they're all listed as required. You might be able to check some out of the library or share with friends. I bought some textbooks my freshman year that I never used, which was really a waste. Make sure you sell those books online too, because most campus stores will rip you off when you go to sell them back. >.<

As to what you should do with your life, that's really a decision that you'll have to make yourself. I didn't know until halfway through my freshman year (I applied undecided). One of my friends is a junior and she's still not completely sure if she's in the right major (but she's working it out). It'll take time and you'll probably end up switching majors more than once. I would recommend entering a field that you know you'll like, even if you're not sure that's what you want to do. It'll help narrow down your options and you'll be in a good position if you decide you want to work in that field.

Good luck!

I think you should do what most people do.. and over the summer, you should like try out various jobs and stuff, then figure out the one you like most and go from there.

Try to do something you won't hate, but isn't a hobby so you won't hate doing it for fun.

It's perfectly natural to be unsure what you want to do with your life; most people fresh out of high school are. Heck, I have my undergrad degree and I'm still having trouble with that one. Don't stress too much about that issue.

Money is an important factor in choosing where you go to school, even if you don't want it to be, but it shouldn't keep you from going to the school you really want to go to. There are always ways of finding financial aid.

Are there any general education type courses you'd be required to take for Art Institute? I'm talking basics like American History, Government, and English Composition. Art schools tend to have less of these, but they will have a couple. Also, check to see if there are any courses at a cheaper, public school that might transfer over toward the requirements for Game Art and Design. If there are any of these (you can ask Art Institute, they'll have information), then what you can do is go to a local public college or university for your first year. That way, you can think about whether or not you really want to go to this art school. You could also take like, one education class (I warn you, these SUCK), so you know what it's like. This wouldn't cost as much money, and if the classes transfer then you can go to Art Institute the next year if you want to.

Another big thing to do is look for scholarships. There are scholarships everywhere: in your hometown, in your state, at your prospective school, on a national level. You say you like to write; there are all sorts of essay contests for scholarships out there. Even if you don't win, it can't hurt to try. A single scholarship may be worth as little as $100, but they add up over time.

It's nice to hear you have so much talent. But not knowing what to do with it makes me sad.

Every path you choose to take will have obstacles. You have to conquer these obstacles so you can reach the top. You can't have a smooth road laid out for you.

I suggest thinking about what you really want. Sit down and talk with your heart and try to think about what you really want. With your talent and frame of mind I know you'll go far but maybe you should first eliminate your fear of obstacles. It is only in facing these that you'll move forward.

No one can tell you what's good for you. Only you can choose the right path for yourself. If you like what you're doing then it's okay. Find out what path is for you.

Also take note that life is a competition. You have to improve to reach the top. If you're not good at something now then pay the hard work to reach the top. That's how the world goes.

First, yes I think you should go into the Art Institute...That sounds like where your heart truly is. However, you should go only if you ABSOLUTELY can promise to work 100% at it. The desire is there, but is the DEDICATION? I agree, many video games are the same and boring as hell..

If you have the skills and dedication needed to make a game, or make the graphics or the costumes, yeah, by all means, go into it.

To get money to fund schooling...
Work over the summer to help pay for the first semester. You have to do all A's and then get a scholarship after that, if you want it to be cheaper. OR you need a student loan.

Or...
You can take RL commissions. If you're interested in taking art commissions, lemme know. I can explain how. It works fairly well, though it does take up a lot of time also. x_o'

It's really a great opportunity if you do computer-related things because that's the way the future's going.
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If you are interested in teaching..
I really suggest you go talk to a few teachers first. Look at the amount of pre-planning they must do for each class. Look at how much they have to grade, read, etc. How good are you at public speaking, how good are you at the subject you're proposing to teach? Do you realize it takes about a B.S. in English and a minor in teaching or major in education minor in Eng. to teach English? And that it takes more years (2-ish, depending on state) to be able to teach? Do you realize the salary is about 45K/year for teaching?

I know that sounds bad but remember that you need a job that not only makes a difference, but is stimulating, fun, pays the bills, AND can help you pay your kids' tuition later on...

Are you sure teaching is right for you?

I'm not dicouraging you from teaching--if you'd like you can definately teach maybe something like summer school, or tutoring at the local Boys & girls club, cause those are areas that people really need help in. You know? I mean, you can give back a lot to the community without turning it into a profession--you can touch people in many different ways, maybe help with Boy Scouts, or Girl Scouts, or something like that.

If you really do want to teach, then that'd be awesome, but make sure you really want to. It's not for everyone.

Firstly, thank you guys for all of your insight!
And secondly, Sorry I've taken some time to reply.
I was waiting for someone from AI to contact me and so she called me. She had sent me a TON of information... including the Apartment information costs... and applications... and what classes I'd take in what major I was interested in and whatnot.
I was stressing out over whether I really wanted to jump in and go to Atlanta. Though, I read this article which discouraged me but I think it's the truth, here's a summed up part:
The Video Game market is VERY competitive, and if you want to work in it, you need to be the type of person that hears the theme song of some RPG. >_< Eat, Drinks, and Plays video games... sort of thing. But I'm not that obsessed. Honestly. I don't even have a game console right now (Sold my PS2 for messing up... T__T Never got to finish FFX-2 *Sob.*) and the Online games I LOVE to play (Silkroad, Flyff, and Darkeden... and etc.) I've also stopped playing (mostly because I got lonely leveling alone.)
Anyway... The woman was very kind and I explained to her my situation of not knowing if it's for me... or what is even for me. She understood. Actually, she didn't know what she wanted to do either when she was my age... so, she just went to her community college which she suggested to me.

I'm just so impatient; I want to jump in and get an early start, you know? I wish I could just get this letter that says, the right occupation for you is: *BlahBlahBlah.* Of course, that's not realistic.

So, I think I'm going to go to my community college and consider what I want to do... use that time to college some general education courses and perhaps by end of year one I'll know? Or... think I know!

I don't really know where my heart is... Here's my typical life: I wake up, sing, and go to school. I have a ball at school because I'm surrounded by friends and class is pretty easy by now if not enjoyable. Chorus is a blast. I'm always singing. I've even considered teaching music... but I'm not sure. I'm usually always listening to music or... singing... I annoy people in my 4th block class by singing (but everyone likes it, so whatever.) And then I come home and get online usually, and do this... or roleplay or if I am into a game at the moment I play that game until bedtime. Otherwise I'm taking a nap or reading a novel. And then I go to bed and do the same thing over again.

@fuyumi I'd do that... try out different jobs... but it's not so easy in a small town like this. They don't really have much of what I'd want to try out.

@JoieD I would have a few that I'd have to take for AI. And I already asked. She isn't sure if they'd transfer over with my transcript if I did decide to go there after attending a technically college. I'm going to have to start looking into some scholarships. ^^

@joih I'm not too big on competition... Just when it comes to grades in my class. I like for everyone to know I've got the highest on this test or in the class. Yet, I'm not always out to be the biggest gun on the shelf, understand? I don't want to be complete spot light, you know? And I am pretty much afraid of failure, not the obstacles... I understand I'm going to have to bust my butt to get where I will want to be. Right now I'm just scared of making the wrong decision on where to start.

@Pixore Thanks for your sympathy and encouragement. <3 I'll remember that about the books!!

@Scarlet I'm still deciding on everything... right now, community college looks like my best bet.

If you do take the community college, I ask you to do one thing though.

Understand that it is a stepping stone. Don't look down on it, or on yourself because you attend a community college--it's the destination you reach at the end that matters, how the heck you got there doesn't matter as long as you do.

Don't get depressed or emo or slack off because it's a community college--still be competitive. Still reach for the top, and keep your eyes open for opportunities out, like scholarships.

Otherwise there's a high chance that you might settle for something a bit less than what you're capable of.

I really hope that you are able to work out what you want because living in confusion can really suck and take up so much of your time! I think even if you do take things slowly and go to community college think of it as you time and that your getting to know what you want out of life and you are learning how to get it. I think studying is great, I have gone back to adult based learning at 23 because I was a dropout at 16 because I didn't know what I wanted in life and its taken me this long to work out what it is. I hope that you enjoy what you do and don't regret things because regretting things is just a waste. I think if you do things then you do it whole heartedly and just get into it until you work out what other things you may want to do. Life isn't always so black and white. I think if you work hard then even through community college you can still get good results.