Going to college is a huge investment that many people need to think over before making their final decision. As with any investment, the return is what motivates them, and the losses are what keep them in their safe zone. Though college isn’t for everyone, there are still numerous reasons why you should consider earning a higher degree. This article will focus on 10 reasons why going to college may be the right decision based on considerations you may have never even taken into account.
1. Starting Fresh
Let’s be honest. Most of us didn’t excel, academically or socially, in high school. There may be several reasons for this, the most popular being your wanting to be accepted in a social environment where “coolness” rules. In high school, it’s common for students to give up their passions and uniqueness in exchange for social acceptance.
Luckily, college is a brand new environment that lets people start things over. If you’re going to an out-of-state college or even going abroad, this is an opportunity to put the past behind you and follow your true ambitions in life.
2. Networking Opportunities
Even in college, it’s important to be accepted and be accepting of people. When you take your first step into your dorm room, you’re sharing it with somebody you might be familiar with. College gives the opportunity to get to new people, make new long-lasting relationships, and collect contacts that can be beneficial for you and your future career.
It can be hard to filter out who will become a success in the future so try to not be too judgmental towards others. The people who seem laziest in class might be ones that open new and exciting companies in the near future. The person who you regarded as socially awkward may be in the right position to help you climb the corporate ladder.
3. Becoming Financially Independent
College tuition is one of the biggest investments and expenses that parents make for their children. Knowing this, it’s your responsibility to try and alleviate some of the financial burdens from the shoulders of your loving parents.
To do this, you may need to work odd, part-time jobs, work as a freelancer, apply for scholarships and financial grants, join competitions with cash prizes, etc. In the end, your three- or four-year stint in college will teach you how to manage your own personal finances, how to make educated purchase decisions, and how to live off of a limited budget. These are all important steps in becoming an adult.
4. Joining Student Organizations
You might not have seen the importance of joining high school politics and elections, but in college, it becomes one of the most important things you can do. Of course, you don’t need to aspire to become a politician in order to join student organizations and help make decisions for your group or community.
Many universities have organizations based on certain skills that you may wish to learn. For instance, there are journalism groups, college sports teams, public speaking and foreign language groups, and so on. The great thing is that they don’t care about your educational background or what you plan to major in. If you want to join an organization, you’re basically in.
5. Change of Scenery
Moving to another state or country means you’re meeting new people. Not just that, but you’re broadening your horizons and will become more accepting towards new things. Many students aspire to go to college in foreign countries in order to escape the small town they live in.
Depending on what you want to do and where you want to work, getting a new view on things can help you become a more valuable person. It’s never too late to gain new experiences, and going to far-away colleges could be the exact way to do it.
6. Learning about Yourself
The difference between high school and college is that in high school you’re trying to fit in, whereas in college you’re trying to stand out. This gives you an opportunity to be your true self and show what you’re actually made of.
Some people may have talents they had no idea they possessed. For example, Gordon Ramsay wanted to become a professional soccer player, but he learned in college that he was a talented cook. Going to college and learning from new people gives you a better view of who you are and what you want to become.
7. Finding Your Soul Mate
Not everybody will find their soul mate in college, but a lot of people do. You might be one of the lucky people to meet your future husband or wife in college. It can take you several tries before finding Mr. or Mrs. Right, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
Getting a college boyfriend or girlfriend is just one of the perks of going to college. It shouldn’t be the main consideration behind your decision to pursue a higher degree since you’ll most likely be focused on your love life than your academic career.
8. Starting Point for your Business
You don’t have to study economics to start your own business. In fact, many universities offer courses and seminars on how to start a business from scratch. If you truly want to become an entrepreneur, going to college could be the first step to starting your own business.
The argument against going to college before starting your own firm is that you’ll know learn too much about the risks associated with being an entrepreneur and avoid them at all costs. However, going to college college may be the exact thing you need to get things moving. You can intern at companies, learn from and work for seniors – basically, the tools to learn about business are readily available to you.
9. Improving Your Time-Management Skills
The average college student takes around 8 classes per semester, each with their own mid-tests and final examinations, homework, presentations, seminars, books to read, and so on. If you go to college, understand that there will be very little time for entertainment as you’ll be busy cramming everything you need to know for the next day’s lesson.
However, this is a rare opportunity that pushes students to manage their time well. Though you’ll have very few windows for entertainment, you’ll learn to make the most of your free time. You’ll soon learn how much time you need to dedicate for studying each subject, how long it’ll take you to finish a report or slide presentation, and how long it takes you to get from your dorm to your department building. These are simple steps that help create a person who can manage their time efficiently.
10. Having Fun
College life isn’t black and white. It isn’t just about studying, going home, studying, sleeping, and repeat. You’ll have some time to spend with close friends, join or arrange parties, participate in activities, etc. Make the most of your four-year stint at college and try to have fun. When you graduate, you’ll face even more difficult challenges like finding a high-paying job, making ends meet, filing taxes, paying for car insurance, and so on.
