The Top Reasons to Go to College
Taken from http://www.mycollegeoptions.org
People from all backgrounds attend college. Men and women of all income levels, races and ethnicities, age groups, family types, educational backgrounds, political parties, and religious affiliations enroll and graduate from college every year. In fact, most American colleges and universities strive to create admissions programs and opportunities to attract and retain a diverse student body. These days, a higher education is accessible to just about anyone.
Why Should You Go to College?
There are many different reasons to go to college, and people need to identify what makes it the right choice for them. Here are some of the top reasons to go to college:
- To pursue academic studies in an intellectual environment beyond the high school level.
- To pursue a career or employment opportunity that requires college-level training and skills development.
- To increase earning potential.
- To achieve a higher quality of life for themselves and their families.
- To meet new people, have new experiences, and explore new interests.
- To achieve self-discovery and figure out what their calling is.
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- To acquire the social and/or career status and mobility often associated with a college education.
Going to College Is an Investment in You
While the prospect of attending college may seem frighteningly expensive, it is important to realize how much those four years will pay off later. College is an investment that will greatly increase your future earnings. College graduates with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of 60% more than high school dropouts and 45% more than high school graduates in 2001.
Over a lifetime, the earnings of college graduates will be nearly double that of those who only earn a high school diploma. Positions and careers for college graduates are expected to be the fastest growing category of employment in the country. College graduates also have more accessibility to benefits such as 401(k) retirement plans and health insurance.
Also, colleges and the government offer extensive financial aid to make college a reality for many who can’t otherwise afford it. Campuses across the nation are expanding programs to welcome first-generation college students (those who are the first in their immediate families to enroll in college). And there are college scholarships and grants, some based on need and some on merit. Need-based financial aid is available to those who can prove they can’t afford college, and merit-based aid is offered to select students who have already proven to be academically successful. Additionally, there are creative options for paying for college. The flexible class schedules available in college can allow students to work while attending school. Some schools also offer work-study programs, which allow you to earn money for your education by working on campus.
Beyond the Price Tag, Is College Right for You?
Does your family have the means to pay for college, but you feel uninspired about going? Browse college websites and look at their course offerings. You will be amazed at the vast number of classes and course descriptions you may have never considered before. Some schools have very unusual and specific majors.
Additionally, browse job advertisements and news stories, and then make a list of the industries and positions that sound interesting. Think about what you love to watch and read, and how that may apply. Do you love true crime? Maybe you would make an excellent forensic scientist. Are you addicted to shows like “What Not to Wear” and fashion magazines? Perhaps you would be an excellent fashion merchandiser or designer. Once you have some potential careers in mind, research and find out which college majors correspond to those future careers. Consider contacting professionals in the field and asking them what educational paths they took.
While college may not be for everyone, the four years in higher education will broaden your horizon, lead you to self-discovery, and open so many doors for you in the future. Your earning potential will be larger and you will have an edge over those without degrees. Remember, not everyone goes into college knowing exactly what they want to do right away. Many people figure out what they want to do for a career during college. If you want to go to college but have no clue what to major in, look for schools that do not require you to declare a major right away. That will give you time to sample courses in a variety of areas and find out where you belong
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