To College or Not To College? Is It Really Worth It?

For some of you, the question might not be what you want to study or where you should to go college. For some of you, the question might be if you should go to college. College may not be for everyone.

Contrary to current societal expectations and the pressure you may feel from family and friends around you, college may not necessarily be Your Next Step. Perhaps you could take a year off from school to travel; perhaps you could pursue an internship or career opportunity. As long as you feel like you are being productive with your time, enhancing or exploring your interests, and using your skills, you should not feel scared to consider options other than pursuing higher education. Education can be gained in more ways – and sometimes in better ways – than just through school. I have personally always thrived in academia, but there are many other powerful and credible ways to learn, such as through valuable life experiences like traveling or work.

For those of you who read that paragraph and feel aghast that I would even suggest such an idea, fear not. College is still a viable, respected, and logical path toward enhancing your knowledge. I would not, however, go so far as to say that sitting in class is enough to learn all the skills and wisdom you will need to be successful in your career. It is important to remember that life skills and lessons can be learned through experience outside of a classroom as well. You may even feel more satisfied with your higher education if you supplement your academic studies with life experiences. I would urge you to explore experiential learning opportunities such as internships, shadowing, or part-time jobs while in school. Maybe even take a gap-year or study abroad if you can afford the time and money. I feel it is important to remind my readers that a meaningful education can be gained in more ways than just sitting in a college lecture hall. Often, this hands-on learning and self-exploration will be more valuable to your future and revealing of your true interests and skills than anything you might learn from a PowerPoint or textbook chapter.

That being said, I understand not everyone may have the ability to take time off from school to travel or pursue experiential learning such as an internship. Similarly, I understand not everyone is able to afford college and may only be able to pursue a career path without the formal education. I want readers from each audience to know that regardless of your personal situation, achieving an education is possible.

Below is a very interesting Ted Talk urging you to listen to your own voice and asking important questions like, is college worth it? What should I major in to get a “real job”? Whether you have asked yourself these question or not, I think this video is a must-see! Perhaps search Google to read other articles about the pros and cons of a college education, but remember… Ultimately, it is your decision - not the Internet’s, not your friend’s, not your parents - and it is my hope that you feel empowered to make the choice that best suits you.