Who says school is obligatory?

I am in World History class right now. We are being lectured at by a random man at the moment. I would be paying attention, but I don't know who this man is, so I am drifting off.

I've been thinking about my future a lot lately. Besides being discouraged by my counselor - she basically told me that I wouldn't be getting into the college of my dreams -, I am, overall, pretty optimistic about getting into college and getting a job.
When I was little, I wanted to do a lot of things. I wanted to be a dentist, a vet, a firefighter/cop, lawyer, doctor, stand-up comedian, journalist and, probably at one point, a Disney princess. I was an ambitious little child. Very inquisitive. Today I...well, I still don't know completely. But I have some ideas: forensic anthropologist/investigator, restaurant owner, oncologist, author, record producer, singer, psychologist, etc. As you can see, I still have a plethora of potential jobs, so not much has changed in that aspect. But these ones sound fancier!
College. Jeez, that's intimidating. Two and a half years away. Now, that's downright terrifying. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely excited for college (preferably out-of-state, but I have been informed by my mother that I will only achieve that dream if I win the lottery or get a million half-time jobs), but I am also kind of freaked out by the idea. I mean, the transition into high school was just completely blundering (that was right in the middle of my "awkward phase". Actually, that phase isn't over yet, but I have faith!). But college? Moving out of home to go to a school at least five times bigger than my current school? That's scary. But I still have high hopes for it. I'm not going to talk about the whole freedom bit (although, it's completely true) because it is overdone. I am simply looking foward to learning. Yeah, I know. I'm a nerd. What a shocker! I actually get to choose the classes that I want to take! Oh, and boys. Did I mention boys? I don't think I did. I go to an all-girls school currently... 'Nuff said. Co-ed school will be a nice change.
Okay, I know that right now I'm all pumped about all of the freedom of college and stuff, but to be perfectly honest, I bet you that I will be one of those kids who spends tons of money to go to college out of school (maybe I will marry rich) only to get extremely homesick. After which I will probably drop out of said college to return home and take classes at a local community college...

...

...

Not really though. I mean, I'll get homesick, but not that much.

Alright, awkward man has stopped talking, so I should pay attention to the teacher now.

Farewell, brethren!