- Expand your potential earnings. …
- Create long-lasting relationships and professional connections. …
- Achieve job security. …
- Explore different career options. …
- Experience independence. …
- Learn valuable skills. …
- Gain financial responsibility.
For some students, going to college is a no-brainer. Answer this straightforward query, however, before you begin completing applications and scheduling campus visits: Why should you attend college in the first place? If you’ve never thought about why you want to pursue higher education, the answer may be more difficult than it first seems.
Naturally, a college education doesn’t guarantee a high salary, and salaries vary greatly depending on your major and career choice. But there is a significant link between education and income, and people with higher degrees typically make more money than people who didn’t go to college. While college is expensive, it’s often worth the cost.
Just 52% of high school graduates were employed between February and May 2020, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. In contrast, bachelor’s degree holders continued to work for 72% of the time. This might be the case because industries that could easily transition to remote work during the pandemic employ more college graduates.
People with bachelor’s degrees tend to be happier than those without one, so more education may result in a happier life. Only 64% of those with less than a high school diploma say they are “very satisfied” with their family lives, compared to 75% of American college graduates.
Women with a college degree have a nearly 80% chance of staying married for at least 20 years, while those with only a high school diploma have a 40% chance. Similar patterns apply to men as well; 65% of men with bachelor’s degrees can anticipate a 20-year marriage, compared to 50% of men with only a high school diploma or less.
Dad, why should I go to college? | Abel Sanchez | TEDxNatick
What should you consider before going to college?
You can decide whether or not it’s worthwhile to pursue a college degree by conducting adequate research. Due to the size of the investment, give your choice some thought. Here are some things to consider before attending college:
Reasons to go to college
Even though you don’t need to go to college to have a successful career, getting a degree has a number of advantages. You can decide whether or not to attend college by understanding the benefits it offers. Here are 60 reasons to attend college:
Skill development
You have the option to major in a specific field in college. This means that you have the chance to learn and develop skills that are specific to your industry.
Job security
Employers value employees with specialized knowledge and higher education levels. Therefore, enrolling in college could increase your job security once you enter the workforce.
Higher earning potential
By pursuing an advanced degree, you can develop specialized skills in your industry, which could lead to a pay raise.
Career switch opportunities
You have many opportunities to break into a new industry because colleges offer a wide range of programs.
Personal investment
College can have a significant impact on your life because it gives you the chance to take care of yourself and live a more fulfilling life.
Career advancement
Advanced degrees are frequently required for specialized positions like management and supervisory positions. Consequently, you have a better chance of succeeding in your chosen field if you attend college.
Broader network
Through clubs and other college activities, college gives you the chance to connect with a wide range of people, allowing you to broaden your network.
Competitive edge
You have the chance to develop your special skills while in college, which will help you stand out from the competition when applying for jobs.
Specialized learning
Getting an advanced degree, such as a master’s, enables you to learn more about a specialized area of your field. You can advance your industry knowledge with this specialized training, which will also give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
Career preparation
You can better prepare for your professional career and development by majoring in a field that aligns with your career goals.
Improved discipline
Throughout college, youll have many deadlines to keep track of. Consistently meeting these deadlines can help you develop greater discipline, which will benefit your future career.
Clearer thinking
College broadens your perspective and improves your capacity for maintaining accuracy when carrying out tasks for the workplace. You can benefit from having clear thinking not just in college but also in your future career.
Increased concentration
You need to focus on the material you’re studying in order to succeed in college. You’ll be able to focus better at work, at home, and in school thanks to this.
Greater career options
Many employers demand college degrees for specific positions at their businesses. Therefore, having a degree can give you access to more job opportunities than if you had just started working.
Promotion opportunities
Typically, hiring managers will give promotions to workers with more education. Consequently, while having a degree can help you find higher-paying employment, it can also give you an advantage when it comes to future promotion opportunities.
Self-discovery
You have the chance to view and approach life differently when you are in college. This can assist you in discovering more about who you are and your personal values.
Expert learning
You can learn a lot about your chosen field of study or industry from your college professors. Learning from them gives you access to their depth of knowledge, which will be helpful to you in your future career.
Exposure to different cultures
People from a wide variety of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds are drawn to higher education institutions. College gives you the chance to interact with these varied groups of people, enhancing your understanding of the various cultures the world has to offer.
Greater direction
If you’re unsure of the type of work you want to do, college allows you to enroll in a variety of classes to find the one that might be the most fulfilling for you.
Flexibility
You have a lot of flexibility in college because you can take online or in-person classes. You can more easily strike a balance between your academic obligations and personal responsibilities as a result.
Sets an example
You can encourage your younger siblings or other family members to enroll in college if you are the first person in your family to do so.
Improved public speaking
College may present you with several public speaking opportunities. You have the opportunity to do this to hone your public speaking abilities, which will be beneficial for your future career.
Opportunity to give back
You can volunteer while in college through clubs or even class assignments that have to do with community service. Giving back and attending college can help you stand out among other applicants because employers value candidates with a giving mentality.
Entertainment opportunities
You might get the chance to see performances on campus while you’re a college student, which can enhance your life.
Mentorship
College professors inspire students in a variety of ways. They might even take on the role of your mentor, offering you career guidance and advice.
Increased independence
When you go to college, you often have newfound independence. You can do this to exercise your independence and manage your time without interference.
Greater inspiration
In college, you have the opportunity to study with other students who are in a similar situation. Being around energetic students in particular can inspire you and motivate you to work harder.
Improved teamwork
You might find yourself participating in a group project at some point during your time in college. Having this experience enhances your teamwork abilities by instilling the value of working as a team.
Discovery of new languages
Many employers prefer multilingual employees. You can learn a new language by enrolling in one of the many foreign language courses that are frequently offered on college campuses.
Increased perseverance
You need both perseverance and commitment to graduate from college. While these traits can assist you in college, they can also assist you with tasks related to your career in the future.
Updated skills
It’s critical to keep up with the most in-demand skills as many industry norms continue to change. You can keep your knowledge up to date while learning something new by going to college.
Graduate school eligibility
You must fulfill certain requirements to be admitted to a graduate program. You frequently need a specific kind of degree in your field, which a college can offer.
Increased confidence
You can feel more confident if you know you’re learning things that will help you succeed in your field. Additionally, it can help you become a more well-rounded person with higher self-esteem, which is attractive to employers.
Travel opportunities
You have the chance to travel the world and discover new cultures if you choose to study abroad while in college.
Increased knowledge base
You can broaden your knowledge and obtain a second degree in a different field if you want to learn things that a single degree won’t teach you.
Greater happiness
Attending college presents you with many opportunities to have fun. More free time can lift your spirits and keep you motivated to reach your objectives.
Opportunity to get involved
There are numerous clubs and activities on campuses that you can join to pursue your other interests.
Fitness opportunities
You can stay active by taking advantage of the free memberships that many colleges give you to their on-campus gyms.
Greek life opportunities
You might get the chance to join a sorority or fraternity. You can find a community and make new friends through Greek life.
Financial assistance
Although attending college is expensive, you can get financial aid through loans or grants.
Variety of learning areas
If you enroll in an online course, you can attend the classroom from any location with an internet connection.
Long weekends
You can give yourself a long weekend because you can choose your own class schedule. For instance, you could schedule your classes to run from Monday through Thursday instead of Monday through Friday.
Development of new talents
You might discover a new talent that you weren’t aware of if you participate in college activities, whether you join a club or not.
Ability to learn from guest visitors
You might encounter a guest lecturer or speaker during your time in college who can broaden your thinking or teach you something entirely new.
Greater job satisfaction
College enables you to make sure that your chosen field remains aligned with your interests, resulting in future employment that is more satisfying.
Increased financial knowledge
Getting a degree can teach you better money management skills, which will help you manage your budget and future salary.
Greater opportunities for health insurance
Your family and you could both benefit from jobs with good benefits, such as health insurance, if you have a college education.
Lasting connections
Making lifelong friends while in college is possible thanks to your classes or through campus interactions.
Intellectual stimulation
Learning new material in college can give you plenty of intellectual stimulation, which can enhance your creativity and innovation.
Greater expertise
College enables you to learn about a specific subject, which aids in your development as an authority in your field of study.
Better time management
You can develop your time management abilities by having to manage various deadlines, your homework, and upcoming exams.
Greater ability to follow rules
You must adhere to a syllabus with guidelines specific to the classes you must take throughout your academic career. Following rules can benefit you in both your personal and professional lives.
Opportunity to explore unique museums
You can explore and benefit from the on-campus museums and archives at many colleges.
Sporting events
You can go to a variety of sporting events at colleges, like basketball, soccer, or football games, that can help you meet people.
Computer resource centers
There are computer labs in many colleges where you can use a variety of desktop and laptop computers.
New experiences
You have the chance to learn new things in college that you might not have otherwise had the time or opportunity to do.
Lasting memories
Going to college gives you the chance to create lifelong memories from the events you attend or activities you engage in in addition to making lifelong friends.
Pursue another interest
College enables you to pursue a minor in a different field of interest if you have interests outside of your chosen field of study.
Sporting teams
You can participate in a collegiate sport if you’re an athlete to help you stay active.
Library access
There are libraries at most colleges where you can study or borrow books.
