DR. WALLACE: I just started my final year of high school. I guess it's time I start planning for my future. I'm decent academically, but far from a straight "A" student. A lot of my friends are planning to go to various colleges, but I've never seriously studied colleges in my area, as I'm not sure what my future career plans will be.

I have one parent, who is encouraging me to go to any college, even a community college, to get started, but my other parent is encouraging me to enroll in a trade school of my choice. Like any person my age, I'm interested in learning money as soon as possible and it seems to me that learning a trade may be a more direct path.

Do you feel my future earnings power would be reduced by entering a trade school rather than seeking a full four-year college degree, even if I start with a community college? — Finally Planning My Future, via email

FINALLY PLANNING MY FUTURE: My advice is to do what you feel is best for you, after all, it's your life and therefore your decision.

From my perspective, the good news is you've selected two very reasonable and practical options. Attending a trade school is quite viable here in 2025, as there is a great demand for many particular job skills. If you're diligent and select this route, you'll have many employment opportunities that have very decent, if not attractive, starting salaries.

On the other hand, pursuing a college degree is a worthy endeavor as well. Starting with a community college to get a feel for college life is a great idea for those who are uncertain as to which university they will eventually graduate from.

To discuss the matter quite thoroughly with each parent, individually, and then again, the three of you together. Leave some space in between these discussions, particularly the final one with the three of you together.

Take time during the senior year of high school to study job opportunities yourself online, via high school counselors, teachers and especially your peers. Either route would be excellent, so in my opinion, there's no wrong answer here. And never forget, if you choose one over the other and you decide to go the other route later, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. When you're young, this is the time to pursue different avenues and try different paths. You're not locked into anything, and your future appears quite bright to me.

MY BLISTERS HOLD ME BACK

DR. WALLACE: Even though major league baseball is winding down now in September towards the playoffs, high school baseball for me doesn't start again until next March. I'm a decent player, and I really want to work on my hitting before the next season starts because I think I have a chance to play regularly on my high school team.

My problem is I'm getting a lot of blisters from swinging the bat in the batting cages. What can I do to either prevent or reduce this problem? — A Shortstop Who Can Hit, via email

A SHORTSTOP WHO CAN HIT: Your letter didn't mention it, but of course, you should be wearing padded batting gloves, which you should break in gradually. Beyond that there are also a few things you can do to help with the problem you've described.

First, hold the bat firmly, but not extremely tightly. You can also apply anti-friction tape to specific areas on your hands that seem the most prone to developing blisters.

Also, be sure to take regular breaks when working out in the batting cages. Several players remain in the cage continuously for an extended period, which greatly increases the likelihood of developing blisters.

Be sure to take a minimum of a five-minute break for every 10 minutes you work out in the batting cage. Use the time to flex and stretch your fingers, perhaps play catch with a glove in baseball if you have a teammate or partner nearby, and then regroup before you resume hitting.

Finally, back in my day, we used a homespun technique that seemed to work pretty well. We would soak our fingers and palms in pickle juice or pickle brine! The substance can help skin become more resistant to friction since pickle juice contains sodium and small amounts of potassium, which can aid in hydration and keep your fingers and palms from drying out and being more readily subject to friction blisters. Good luck with your off-season workouts. I wish you a great baseball season in the spring of 2026.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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