Reading various forums and blogs I read one question being asked over and again by college age folks. Each form of the question is different, but all share the same general format. As a group they are asking about the value of starting or continuing their college education. This is a serious question for a young person in college who is having doubts.
People they see that make them question the worth of having a college education, look happy and apparently possess everything they need or want from their life, and start each day with a smile on their faces. It sure does paint a nice picture.
Why should young people go through the pain and hassle of college? Already having spent most of their life in school studying and learning about things they see little benefit in knowing, not going or dropping out of college looks attractive. After all what is the point of going on to study and learn more subjects of dubious value.
I agree these folks do have a point. By not going on to college, it is almost a given they will never use what they have learned up to this moment in their life. It is also almost a sure bet that by not going to college, they will never have meaningful conversations with anyone who really matters in their life.
What not going to college brings for most people:
- Poor lifetime health and an early death
- No, or very few vacations
- Little opportunity to experience real job satisfaction, but numerous different entry level jobs
- Release from having to think because thinking will not be required
However making the decision to stay in college, perform the best you can, and graduate you can expect to:
- Have options in the type of work you choose
- Change jobs because you want to
- Buy things you want instead of need
- Work and talk with people who can think and form reasonable opinions
- Having a retirement to look forward to, instead of working until you can not work any longer
- Having regular doctor and dentist appointments
Those happy carefree people you see will be happy and carefree no matter what direction their life takes. For most people like them, life is much different and you do not have to look hard to see it. Having a college education means having choices. Getting the best education you can today means being able to compete in the job market twenty years from now.
