People often go on and on about the importance of post-secondary education, but don’t always mention the specific reasons to go to college. By no means is college the right path for everyone; some people are better suited to enter the workforce right after high school, start up a company, or start a family. But it’s still important to consider the many reasons to go to college, because they might just convince you to take the path toward a higher education, instead of another.
For many, one of the most convincing reasons to go to college is the allure of a more lucrative career in the future. While not every college grad makes more than every high school grad, on average the numbers show that people with a bachelor’s degree make 84% more than those without, over the course of their lifetime. Over the decades, this difference in pay can have a major impact on your lifestyle!
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
On a less materialistic note, college is a great place to find yourself. It sounds cliché, I know, but it’s true! In college, you will be exposed to people from all walks of life, whether they be professors or fellow students, and they will shape you into the person you were meant to be. Knowing who you are is arguably the most important discovery you can ever make, and college provides a nurturing environment for that sort of discovery to take place.
Although high school was a nice place to make friends, college will be even better! No matter where you live, your college is likely to have many international students, meaning you’ll meet people you would never have met otherwise. Who knows, your future maid of honor—or even future spouse— could be waiting for you at college!
Along with making friends, college is the ideal place to make connections. I’m not suggesting that you befriend others for the sole purpose of using them later in life, but I am asking you to consider something. On your campus may live the next great inventor, leader, or genius! When you attend college, you will be surrounded by people full of potential, and will make plenty of connections you can rely on later in life!
You may need college just to get some perspective. If you grew up in a small town or community where everyone basically thought the same way, attending a diverse college will do you a lot of good! The classes you take and friendships you make will allow you to form a broader perspective and view the world through brand-new eyes.
Attending college after high school means you have a plan; a safe, well-supported plan for that awkward after high school period. Looking for a job instead of attending college is a plan, but still leaves room for disaster. What happens if you botch all of your interviews and don’t get hired? What if the business goes under after a few months of working? Most plans can go wrong, but with college, you have a generally sound plan for the next several years.
The college years are the transition period many youths need between high school and the real world. There’s no sure fire way to prepare yourself for independence aside from actually becoming independent. College allows you to exercise independence, while still providing a sense of security from your school and family.
College is fun! If it wasn’t, people wouldn’t keep going! There will be plenty of activities, events, and parties to keep your college years worth enduring. However, with the other routes you might take- getting a job, creating a company, starting a family, you won’t necessarily have as much time for reckless, youthful fun.
Maybe you really just love to learn! I know I do, and for natural-born learners, college is the perfect path to take! Each day, you’ll learn something new! Eventually, you’ll be both street smart and book smart.
College is a scary time, and applying isn’t an easy decision to make. Hopefully, reading these reasons helped assure you of your decisions regarding post-high school life. What makes you want to go to college?