Going to college and then university just seem to be the next step in one's life. You're born, waddle around for a bit, go to school, high school, college, uni and then finally discover a career which suits you. Pretty much everyone I know is going to a college, like myself, in September so it seems to be the "done thing"
The courses I took was completely my decision. My parents supported me around the open evenings but at the end of the day, they understand it's me that's going to be sat in the classroom and typing out essays so it's my decision.