There have always been and will always be people who feel that a college education is not worth the money, that all you need to be successful is a good work ethic. It’s just not so. I wish I could get paid to tell people to go to college.
Not just because I got one, but because there really are few other financial investments that can make an individual more successful than a college education can. But what if, what if when you’re 18, you’re not ready for college? Or worse — maybe you have been accepted, but are not sure about it. And or maybe you are in college, but dread going to class.
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And or maybe you’re just wondering if college is right for you at all! I’m sure there are a lot of factors that make deciding on going to college difficult. One thing I’ve noticed is most of the people who go to college, do so because it just seems like “the thing to do.” Then, there are others who really have their heart set on becoming something, like a doctor or a lawyer (I say this because my wife wanted to be a doctor since she was about 3 years old).
It’s these people who actually have an idea that they eventually want to become and can see the steps in which they can accomplish. There’s a lot of pressure to go to college. You’ve seen the TV commercials, you’ve heard your parents, and now it seems like everyone else is jumping on the college bandwagon too.
College is the new high school. But it isn’t right for everyone. In fact, according to a study by Georgetown University, only 60% of students who enter college will graduate after six years. That means 40% won’t graduate. And yet, 60% is considered a fairly good graduation rate for post-secondary schools today.
1. Do You Know What You Want To Do?
If you are stuck not knowing what to study or what major to get, the first thing is to not stress about it. It’s a process! What you don’t want to do is to settle for something you don’t like just because everyone says that’s what you should do.
When I was in college I thought graphic design would make me happy. In hindsight, it was okay, but I didn’t have the same passion for it as I had for technical writing. This is not how I would encourage anyone to think about life.
In fact, this story is probably the one I hear most often from friends and online learners who are just at a loss when it comes to creating a purposeful plan for their lives. Sadly, there seems to be a culture of college students attending school in their “preferred” field without considering if it’s actually what they want to do, only to find out after the fact they shouldn’t have been in that field, to begin with.
But if you’re not majoring in English, or the school doesn’t offer a lot of classes outside your field, then I would recommend that you take some time to figure out exactly what it is you want to do. You need to figure out what kind of jobs exist that will give you a fulfilling experience and also actually pay the bills.
This is something everyone should do at least once in their life. If you’re currently in college, it’s never too late to figure this stuff out, but don’t drag it on forever without any sense of purpose. If there’s ever been a time when a college education is less necessary, it’s now.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to college if you feel that’s the right path for you. As the above list suggests, a well-rounded education can benefit you immensely. Instead, it means that you shouldn’t let yourself be pressured into going to college just because it’s what your parents want you to do or what your friends are doing.
2. Are You Going Just Because Others Expect You To?
If you’re trying to decide between a college degree and something else, I’d encourage you to question this assumption. But if you have decided to go to college anyway, here are some signs to look for that can help you stay on track with pursuing your true passions instead. I had always assumed college was an all-or-nothing proposition.
I couldn’t understand anyone of my age not finishing a four-year degree because it didn’t even occur to me that one could be successful without a bachelor’s degree.
This kind of thinking reinforced my decision to go to college because otherwise, I was just going against the grain if I didn’t. Unfortunately, that doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense when you stop to think about it. The idea that college is what you’re expected to do just because you got good grades in high school isn’t very logical.
Going to college because everyone else is just doesn’t work. Sure, they might help you get a job, but not the job you want. I went to college and spent about two years studying chemical engineering before I dropped out.
I could probably tell the story of how broken that system was from my experience, but I won’t bother most people with it here. And besides, it’s more important to talk about how you, as an individual, can succeed even when everyone around you expects one thing. The first one to talk to me seriously about college was my freshman year math teacher.
He came into class and said. “The thing about college is, there are lots of opportunities out there.”
3. Do You Like School Enough To Go Through Four More Years Of It?
Life is full of choices. By now you’ve made some, or have been pretty much forced into making others. In my opinion, choosing a major is one of the biggest decisions that high schoolers face.
You’re presented with so many majors and careers and it can be overwhelming. And maybe it would have been easier for you to just settle on something already but you didn’t, or maybe you’re really torn between which major to pick.
Whatever your case may be, here I am with advice for anyone who is thinking about picking a major. So how can you make money without going to school and getting a degree? The best way is by using what you already have to start your own business. But you first need to determine whether or not you have what it takes.
The only way to do that is by figuring out if you’re someone who can build his own value in the eyes of others. And we’re not talking about being successful in business here—we’re talking about life. In fact, these two things are one and the same.
Do what others expect from you and you will never be able to pursue your full potential. This is not financial advice, but just some food for thought. The world is changing rapidly and what used to be a good career choice is no longer a safe bet – just take the job market for example.
4. Are You Willing To Put Your Life On Hold?
College is also a great place to go when you want to have a fun, carefree time. While you do need to graduate successfully, it can be a time when you make lots of friends and go off in different directions after graduation.
You’ve already received your parents’ blessings because they know a college is an option for you if you don’t know what you want to do with your future. After graduating, you’ll be able to mature and find your own place in the world.
Maybe you’re ready to live on your own, and maybe you’re not sure you want to spend four years getting a degree. Maybe you want to start work right now. Or maybe you’re still in high school and aren’t sure if college is a good idea. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of other ways to make money or build your skills without college.
And lucky for you, it means no tuition bill! Being an intern is a big commitment. Not only will you be putting your life on hold, but you will also lose many of your college privileges. It’s quite possible that you won’t just feel like a producer; you will be one.
That means working long hours during the day and sometimes well into the night. I’ve been an SEO for over 5 years now and have spent most of that time freelancing remotely. My first gig as an SEO was through Elance which is now Upwork. Like many people who are starting out, I started off on Upwork. In this article, I’d like to talk about my freelance experience through Upwork and share some tips for those who want to get started—or who are just starting out.