Your parents might be pushing you towards higher education. So why is college important anyway?
Sure, It might be nerve-wracking to graduate from high school and consider going to college.
It’s easy to tell yourself that your classmates know everything and that you’re the only one who doesn’t have a strategy.
Come to a complete stop right there. Even students with the most meticulous life goals may veer off track.
Even if you’re past that stage, It’s not too late to start thinking about college and making plans.
Continue your education by enrolling in a four-year university, a two-year community college, or a trade school.
There are college foundations available to assist you with college planning, application, and payment.
If you’re still on the fence about going to college, here are eight compelling reasons to do so.
10 Reasons To Go To College
1. Unleash Your Potential.
College can serve as a transitional period between childhood and maturity. The transition is a chance for you to think about who you were in high school and who you want to be as an adult.
Use your college experience to become more extroverted if you sit silently in the back of every class in high school. If you wish you had studied more in high school, the college provides an opportunity to do so.
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2. Unlock Higher Earnings.
On average, college graduates have a higher earning potential than those with merely a high school education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), persons with a college diploma earned about $1,305 per week in 2020.
Only $781 was earned by someone with a high school diploma. Non-college graduates may be missing out on $1 million in wages during their lifetime.
College graduates have an unemployment rate that is around half that of high school graduates. One of the primary motivations for most students to attend college is to obtain a well-paying career. Aside from the financial benefits, college may have a significant impact on your life.
3. Figure Out Where You’re Headed.
What is it that you want to do when you grow older? Before you go to college, you don’t have to know the answer to that question. The majority of institutions do not require students to declare a major until their second year.
That allows you two years to focus on general education courses and major exploration. Take a few psychology classes to discover whether it’s appropriate for you. Some instructors will let you audit a class to see whether you like that particular major. Auditing a course will not get you a grade or credit; it is solely for the purpose of intellectual curiosity.
While you’re still in high school, consider taking a community college course. You’ll be able to assess your interest in a subject of study while earning college credit in the process. That experience can assist you in determining your interests and, as a result, in selecting a job that you will love.
4. Learn Some Skills.
Don’t be scared to enroll in classes that will help you develop your abilities and gain confidence. It is not necessary for every class you take to be related to your major.
Take a computer class if you’re a communications student who has always been interested in computer science. Try out theater or speech class to overcome your phobia of public speaking. Take a writing class to improve your skills for writing sales copy.
College is supposed to help you improve as a person and as a professional. Also, enroll in classes that are just enjoyable. You may even enroll in a film course, white water kayaking (like I did), or cajun dancing (also like I did).
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5. Gather Career Opportunities.
Many job positions need a college diploma merely to be considered for an interview. Employers recognize that education improves your capacity to think critically, comprehend complicated subjects, and convey your views more effectively.
Employers know you picked up abilities in organization, self-discipline, and the capacity to follow through on essential assignments, regardless of what degree you pursued in college.
A college education is also projected to increase in value. Since the recession, 99% of new employment has gone to those with at least some college education.
6. Increase Your Quality of Life.
More education translates to a better job, higher pay, and greater health benefits. According to studies, persons with a college education are more likely to see a doctor on a regular basis, have a lower BMI, are less likely to have bad habits, and eat a better diet.
According to research by the Brookings Institution, each extra year of college reduces mortality rates by 15% to 19% by lowering fatalities from cancer and heart disease.
People with a college diploma have better job satisfaction and report that their employment is more interesting and rewarding.
7. Increase Your Community Involvement.
It might not be very comforting to live away from home for the first time. Joining groups and organizations might help you build a new community and meet new people who share your interests.
Activities can also help you develop crucial leadership and teamwork skills while boosting your confidence. Join student government if you’re interested in politics.
Find out when the Ultimate Frisbee Club meets if you want to take a break from studying. And in order to enjoy activities to the fullest and not worry about your studies, entrust professionals to do your assignments.
College provides you with more than just a diploma. Clubs and activities provide a plethora of opportunities to widen your horizons.
The benefits of attending college extend beyond obtaining a good education. Because the possibilities provided both inside and outside the classroom will assist you in taking the critical next steps toward adulthood and your future profession.
8. Travel.
Use college study abroad programs to immerse yourself in a new culture and activities. Study abroad programs are generally relatively inexpensive, costing approximately the same as a semester at a university. Most students will be traveling outside of the United States for the first time.
Study Abroad programs are more than just a lot of fun; they’re also a wonderful opportunity to push yourself and open up new career doors. Graduates with foreign experience are in high demand by many employers. It demonstrates that you are aware of various work methods, have an open mind, and have strong communication skills.
9. Fortify Your Relationships.
A degree may also lead to a longer-lasting marriage. According to the survey, 78% of college-educated women who married for the first time between 2006 and 2010 could expect their marriages to endure at least 20 years, compared to just 40% of women with a high school degree or less. This is an interesting connection, but it was found nonetheless.
10. Stay Competitive.
Higher education also gives you a leg up on the competition in the job market. We are all aware that obtaining work in today’s economic climate is not reassuring.
The number of jobless individuals remains large, and the quantity of new employment possibilities is insufficient to place them in the occupations they want. As a job seeker, you’ll be up against a lot of experienced employees who have been out of work for a time and are looking for work.
Higher education, on the other hand, typically prepares you for more career stability. Employers, on average, place a higher value on individuals who have attended college rather than those who have just completed high school and are more likely to replace those who have not.
Furthermore, some employers may even pay for your education since they see an educated employee as a significant asset to their company. Getting a college diploma is an investment that will not only pay off handsomely in the long run. It also benefits the recruiting firm.
College graduates with numerous talents may be less vulnerable to layoffs during a recession than individuals with fewer skills. And, while it’s not a guarantee, having a higher degree makes you less likely to suffer from long-term unemployment.
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Final Thoughts
Investing in your higher education is a significant financial and time investment. You may, however, consider it a down payment on your future. Investing in your education will assist you in achieving your job objectives and achieving success in general.
You’ll have to put in a lot of effort, but you’ll be setting yourself up for a lucrative and difficult profession that will lead to financial stability and fulfilling life.
Higher education has been encouraged among our young people. While I do believe college can be a great path, it’s definitely not for everyone. I also believe that today more than ever, there are many more paths to ‘success’. Ultimately, you must make the right decision for yourself and your life.
