i've actually been thinking about getting a part time job w/an aquarium maintainence company around here for right now. I know they make pretty good money, and i know that me being only a senior in high school i wouldnt be making nearly as much as them, but hey...money's money (which i dont have right now Smile ) and it would give me an idea of if i would want to continue that.
That is so important!
but the way all my credits and stuff are right now...i'm more in line to get a major in auto repair or something like that
That doesn't matter--everything changes in college and when you graduate, everything can change again!
Having completed a BS in Biology, a MS in Zoology, walked away from a PhD in Neurobiology and having taught labs for freshman bio through graduate courses I have some advice and (hopefully) sound reasoning to base your future stepping blocks on.
1~My undergrad college only offered a Bio degree--no premed, prevet, marine, etc, because they are limiting. You can show your area of focus by which classes you take and more importantly what you do outside of the classroom (I volunteered and then worked as a vet tech for two years--I learned I really did not want to be a veterinarian). That experience will help shape future decisions and show advisors and potential employers that you are serious.
2~The sciences are not for everyone. I had many students walk into freshman bio with stars in their eyes and dreams of being a doctor, pharmacist, forensic scientist, etc. only to realize by the end of the first semester that biology was not their thing. Even if they made it through bio (and the first year is really to cull out the students that aren't sure or will not make it--with only a year into college, there is plenty of time to change majors), they may have found chemistry too difficult or calculus too daunting. For my undergrad degree (and it is different for different schools), bio majors were required to take Calc I, Bio I, Chem I plus core courses the first semester—30 started in Sept and only 18 returned in January (small private school, but I saw the same thing at the University).
3~You do need a good grasp of English--forget Shakespeare! You will be writing lab reports, papers, eventually a thesis, grants...and you need to be able to effectively communicate. I had a business student in my lab once and she constantly lost points due to poor writing--I could not make sense of what she was trying to get across--and she out right told me she didn't think you needed to know how to write for biology.
4~Four year universities are not the best start for everyone. My husband started out at a community college and worked full time while living at home. Then he was accepted to a university and completed his degree. I went to a small four year college while living at home and then moved away for grad school. Both of us had experience outside the classroom and were easily admitted to grad school.
You only get one chance at college (usually), and the first 2 years have the biggest impact on your GPA.
I don't agree with that, since you can always go to a community college to prove you're "ready" even after quitting school for years. I also served on a graduate school application committee and we looked for people with broader interests. Generally, it didn't matter how old the student was or where they got their undergrad degree, or how long it took. The letter of intent backed up by references were the biggest factors (and the fact they passed their courses). Unless you are going for a scholarship, passing your classes with a B average and having experiences outside the classroom is more important than a narrow focus and a 4.0. Plus, if you are flexible and "shop around" you will find a school that will accept you.
5~There's nothing wrong with being a mechanic. With almost all high school students feeling the push towards college (and many of them are simply not ready at 18, or ever), the trades are suffering. If you have a gift with engines and mechanics, use it! You can always have a side business dealing with SW--honestly; experience will get you further than a degree if you're talking retail to tank maintenance.
After all my schooling, I walked away from the whole biology and academics field to become a business developer. I wouldn't trade my biology background for anything (met my husband, got into fish keeping, lived in Canada, and am one of few spouses that can follow what my husband is talking about at work), but I wish someone had told me there is life and financial security away from higher education.