It's the end of April, and by now most high school seniors, and others, have chosen their college or university. This is a time of high emotion for both students and parents, as plans are set into motion and long-anticipated transitions become real.

For some the feeling is excitement because they got into their college of choice. For others it's the uncertainty about leaving behind friends and family to go off on a journey that will shape their future. Some already know what they want from college while others expect college to show them the way.

Teens, as you know, are very emotional people - especially as those are the years that full blown mental illness shows itself. They are influenced not only by their emotions but by many factors such as social media, friendships, family expectations, and the world at large - all playing a role in how decisions are made and experienced.

For some in 2026 it is a time of joy while for others it's a feeling that they have settled because they didn't get into their first college choice. Little do they know that wherever they wind up - destiny has already planned their futures. Where they begin is only one part of a much larger story.

Even small factors can shape big decisions. A recent survey noted that something as simple as the weather on a campus visit can influence a student's choice - too hot, too cold, or too rainy, and a school might suddenly feel less appealing. This "Goldilocks Effect" can quietly tip the scales, even when more meaningful factors are at play.

I remember when my four grandsons in Connecticut and New Jersey were exploring colleges in the South. The idea of spending four years in places like Miami or California certainly had its appeal, but in the end, their decisions were guided by more lasting considerations - academic programs, distance from home, finances, and a willingness to see where the next four years might lead.

The world will be a very different place in four years. Wherever students land today - their paths will continue to evolve. The college they choose is not the final destination - it's simply the starting point.

Welcome to The Class of 2030.

Graduates Reset Ambitions in Pursuit of First Jobs. Young people aiming to build careers are entering fields they had not considered to find their footing.   NYT - April 28, 2026

Recent college graduates are facing the most dismal and unpredictable job market in years. Employers overall are hiring fewer workers, dimming the prospects in particular for first-time entrants to the labor market. The rise of A.I. and its abilities are intensifying fears that entry-level jobs will disappear forever.

For many in my generation, the memory of the last military draft during the Vietnam War still lingers. We remember the fear, the protests, the divisions within families and communities, and the lengths some young men went to in order to avoid being sent into a deeply controversial war. Even decades later, stories from that era continue to shape how Americans react whenever the word 'draft' resurfaces in public discussion.

One of the most frequently mentioned examples remains Donald Trump and the medical deferment he received for heel spurs during the Vietnam era - something critics and comedians still reference today.

Now, with the latest Trump administration policy moving the Selective Service system toward automatic registration beginning in December, anxiety has once again entered the national conversation.

Young men today are already navigating economic uncertainty, rising costs, social pressures, rapid technological change, and concerns about the future. The idea of mandatory military registration - even if only administrative - naturally raises questions and emotions.

At the same time, it is important to separate political rhetoric from legal reality. Automatic registration does not mean an active military draft is coming. Congress would first have to authorize any draft before one could ever take place. The new policy simply replaces the old self-registration system, where failing to register could technically result in criminal penalties. Under the updated system, eligible men ages 18 to 26 would be registered automatically through existing government records.

Questions have also circulated online about whether this would apply to Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, 20. Some have joked that his reported height at 6 feet 9 inches tall - would exempt him from service, though military standards and exemptions are far more complex than internet commentary suggests.

Let us hope the latest Trump administration draft advisory does not become a "thing" today's young man - have to deal with.

Still, broader concerns remain. Critics question whether increasing military preparedness signals a more aggressive foreign policy direction, while supporters argue it is simply a modernization of an outdated bureaucratic system. In today's polarized climate, even procedural government changes can quickly become symbols of larger fears about war, leadership, and national identity.

For those who lived through Vietnam, however, the emotional response is understandable. The word 'draft' carries historical weight. It recalls a time when young Americans faced life-altering uncertainty, and when trust in government institutions was deeply tested. Many hope the nation never returns to that point again.

Further let's hope a deranged Trump isn't planning to send troops and start wars around the world in the name of peace - or is he already doing that? We know it's always about money for him so follow the money ...

Automatic military draft registration takes effect in December.   CNN - April 29, 2026

Congress would have to approve of a draft before one ever took place. Men ages 18 to 26 must register for selective service in case a draft is required. The mandatory registration applies to green-card holders, refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented men. Not all registered men would be enlisted to serve. There would be a lottery, in which birthdays and numbers are randomly chosen. The last time a draft was in effect was February 1973, during the Vietnam War.

The transition to automatic registration replaces the long-standing "self-registration" system, where failing to sign up was a felony that could result in fines of up to $250,000 or five years in prison. Officials emphasize that while this "streamlines" the process, it does not mean a draft is imminent