College is known to be a universal goal young adults should prioritize to be prepared for their future and build a comfortable lifestyle that is feasible.
We learn from a young age that to be successful and have the classic American dream, you need to pursue additional education after high school. Yet, a crucial question is raised as college has grown to be more and more expensive as years progress, and taking gap years or the rate of finding a job immediately after graduating from high school has increased.
Attending college can be highly difficult. Debt and financial issues such as the cost of college tuition, books, and housing can take years to pay off depending on how long you’re a student. Competitive majors can drain you and worsen your mental health as you continue to fight for a spot in your career field.
Additionally, the stress of finding a job right out of college that is related to the degree you spent years on can be highly challenging. Time used in higher education and career building could be spent in the workforce as well and can save you time as you are trying to be financially independent in society.
Yet, pursuing secondary education can be extremely rewarding and beneficial as well. Earning a degree, whether it is a bachelor’s, master’s, et cetera, companies may see that as highly valuable as it shows dedication, commitment, resilience, and strength.
Down the line, earning a degree can aid you in earning more annually and can offer a variety of opportunities, such as a secure job, better job benefits, and higher job satisfaction compared to those without a degree. Not only does higher education help you in the long run and assist you in building a life for yourself but it also inspires personal growth and fosters a further sense of self-identity through new challenges and experiences colleges offer.
I personally believe that it is best to go to college and continue schooling because it keeps your brain sharp, assists you in further building concrete skills like determination and critical thinking skills that can be valuable in life, and can give you further knowledge on courses that interest you.
It can be a struggle at times, but no matter what degree you choose to get, it can help you in the long run. It can both help you financially and emotionally because you will be able to put food on the table and have the resources to do what you love later on in life while feeling accomplished. I understand firsthand that it can be challenging to be enrolled in higher education while working but that can challenge you to grow in a multitude of ways.
As long as you do not lose sight of the big picture, it can be extremely validating to earn a degree and to better your quality of life. Overall, higher education is worth pursuing. It can test you greatly and force you to overcome unseen obstacles, but it can also reap benefits.