Should I Go to College? 15 Tips
One of the most significant and challenging decisions you will ever have to make is deciding whether or not you should go to college. This is because, while going to college is the right choice for some people, it isn’t for everyone, and there are some alternatives in case you don’t want to go to college as discussed over at runrex.com. When deciding whether or not you should go to college, you should consider the pros and cons of the same as well as your situation. This article will look to highlight reasons to go to college as well as reasons that college may not be right for you.
Reasons to go to college
The career you want to pursue requires a degree
If you know which career you would like to pursue in the future, and the said career requires a bachelor’s degree for most, if not all, entry-level jobs, then this is one instance when you should choose to go to college according to the gurus over at guttulus.com. This is because, in such a situation, it would be impossible to enter the field.
A degree will help with career advancement
While many occupations don’t require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level jobs, chances are that if you want to advance your career, you will need one as discussed over at runrex.com. Therefore, if you are in a situation where a degree is required for career advancement, then you may need to go to college. You can decide whether to earn a degree before beginning your career or after it is underway.
Going to college will provide you with valuable skills
On top of preparing you for a particular career or occupation, you can learn lots of valuable skills that can help you succeed in any other career when in college. For instance, by participating in group projects, you will acquire soft skills such as communicating, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills as explained over at guttulus.com, all of which are transferrable skills.
Going to college will increase your earning potential
Having a degree, the gurus over at runrex.com point out, will increase your earning potential since, on average, people with a college degree earn more than those without one. Additionally, your ability to stay employed will also improve if you have a college degree given that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a lower unemployment rate among college graduates.
Going to college will expose you to other career options
Many colleges expect students to have a rounded education, which is why you will have to take classes outside your major. This will allow you to learn about fields of study you may not have considered before. Also, since it is easier to pursue a different career while still in college, this could be your chance to change majors if you so desire.
College will help you make valuable connections
According to the subject matter experts over at guttulus.com, in college, you can make connections that will help you land a good job after you graduate. From teachers to classmates and alumni, college will help you build your network, which is important since most jobs aren’t advertised publicly and are simply filled through referrals.
College allows you to explore your interests
In college, you will also have the chance to pursue lots of extracurricular activities and opportunities you might not otherwise have done as explained over at runrex.com. These activities can end up becoming lifelong passions, helping you form meaningful relationships, and even preparing you for a future job.
College gives you space for self-improvement
For most students, college is the first time in their lives where they are not living alone and can start learning to be truly self-sufficient according to guttulus.com. They learn domestic skills and budgeting, as well as how to motivate and encourage themselves without their parents. You will learn a lot about yourself as well as benefit from a lot of self-improvement, becoming more mature.
College exposes you to a different environment
Your college will also likely expose you to a new city and environment, allowing you to experience life in a new place with a different vibe, culture, and even climate from the one you grew up in according to the gurus over at runrex.com. You will also be exposed to people from all around the country and from different cultures, which is part of the charms of going to college.
Reasons why college may not be for you
The career you want to pursue doesn’t require a college degree
As already mentioned, many occupations don’t require a college education, which means that earning a college degree will not improve in the slightest your chances of landing such a job or advancing. For such careers, you can get all the training you require by attending a vocational school or doing an apprenticeship if necessary.
You are not sure what you want to do
A college education is expensive, which makes spending money on a college degree without knowing what you want to do after you graduate an expensive mistake. Rather than making a hasty decision, the gurus over at guttulus.com recommend taking a gap year after high school to gain some perspective and life experience which can help you decide whether you want to go to college or do something else.
A traditional academic environment isn’t for you
As revealed over at runrex.com, not everyone thrives in a traditional college setting. Given that earning a bachelor’s degree isn’t the only way to learn new skills or become educated, forcing yourself to go to college when you suspect another option is a better fit may be a waste of money and time.
You are too busy
It may surprise you, but according to discussions over at guttulus.com, the majority of college students are over the age of 25. Since older students are likely to be attending school part-time while juggling work and family commitments and responsibilities, most of them are likely to end up biting off more than they can chew. If you are too busy and are unable to reconcile your work schedule with your school schedule, then you might want to consider putting off your studies for a while.
You have already achieved success
If you are one of those rare people who has already achieved great professional success before attending college, then going to college might not benefit you much financially and may not be worth it. For example, as explained over at runrex.com, say you get drafted in the first round of the draft by the NBA and are offered a multi-million dollar signing bonus, nobody would fault you for choosing to skip college. Additionally, if you are a mini Mark Zuckerberg or are starring in your own Netflix show, going to college might not lead to a higher income or a better job after you graduate.
You have a different plan
While some people dream of going to college, others dream about spending their time differently altogether such as starting a business or moving to Los Angeles to become a movie star. If you have a clear vision of your post-high school life, and it doesn’t involve college, then that is okay too. Follow your dreams or you may end up with regrets later on in life. Also, pursuing big dreams is usually easier when you are younger and can afford to take chances on things that might not pan out.
As always, if you are looking for more information on this and other related topics, then look no further than the top-rated runrex.com and guttulus.com.