Here is the truth about going to college.
It doesn’t prepare you for the real world; it just prolongs you from entering it.
Don’t get me wrong. A college degree is an invaluable and sometimes an indispensable asset. On average, people who attain a bachelor’s degree will earn more than $1,000,000 more over the course of their lifetime than people who do not attend college.
In my case however, I believe I failed to gain the real-world preparation that I expected the experience would provide. Granted, this was largely due to the fact that I didn’t have the right perspective about going to college from the outset. I had a “go with the flow mentality.”
I Got A BA in BS
Nonetheless, I learned a number of things in college. None of which prepared me in the matters of personal finance, day-to-day work life, or the expectations of corporate America. I did all of the things I was supposed to do to land a corporate job out of college. Ultimately, I was sorely disappointed with the experience. It was like a scene out of Office Space –really. The creepy boss, the group birthday parties, and three employees who wanted to see the place go up in smoke. I had it all.
I won’t go so far as to say that I would not have gone to college knowing what I know now, but I can say I would have approached the experience much differently.
Collegiate Considerations
First, I wouldn’t have gone to college right away. Personally, I needed time to grow up some more and learn more about what made me tick. Because I didn’t know these things, I spent a lot of time (and money) figuring them out while I was in school. As a result, I changed my major at the end of my sophomore year. I also didn’t make very good use of my time. Instead of being focused on what I could learn, I was focused on getting credits to graduate. If I could go back, my course selection would be very different.
Second, I’d take a moment to realize that college isn’t for everyone. College was definitely for me. Still, I think I felt compelled to go to college immediately after graduating from high school because that is what everyone did. Right? Wrong. Taking time to figuring out exactly what you need out of a college education increases the likelihood that you will pick the best area of study for your needs and see a true return on your educational investment.
Third, I’d take a closer look at the pay scale for my desired career path and the long-term repayment commitment associated with student loans. If you want to get a degree in an area that doesn’t pay well enough for you to get beyond the educational debt you incur within 7-10 years, you might want to reconsider getting that degree. Instead, consider ways to get a free education in that area, and look to invest your money in a degree that will pay for itself.
Overall, going to college was an essential element to my personal success. I would have made better choices if I could do it over again. But I wouldn’t trade for the world the way my college experience exposed me to new people, places, and ideas. If you are looking for reasons to go to college that is probably the best reason out there.
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Another good read!!!