Most high school graduates aren’t certain about their future, much less what they want to do for the rest of their lives. They don’t have much exposure to the real world, a fault that is not their own. Parents and public schools shelter them too much then expect them to function as adults immediately after graduation.
I’m not saying nobody should attend college. A degree is necessary for fields like STEM, law, medicine, accounting, or economics.
Not Everyone Should Attend College
College is great for those who want only one career but for me, that was unrealistic because you’ll be a different person ten or twenty years in the future. You’ll have different wants, needs, expectations, and different values.
Personally, I found it necessary to learn a variety of skills so that I’m more marketable and versatile wherever I go. I didn’t want to trap myself in one career because one day my degree might become obsolete.
Take a look at marketing degrees and talk to people who graduated ten or twenty years ago. They will tell you that their marketing degree is now irrelevant due to technology like social media.
College is killing your passion.
For those of us who’ve been through public schools the freedom of choice in choosing classes and teachers is not an option. Our entire schooling has been planned for us, and while that might work for some it leaves us too dependent on higher authority leaving little room to cultivate individual interests like hobbies.
Let’s be honest with ourselves, did you genuinely think taking unrelated classes was productive or did it slow you down from achieving your degree? Was it really worth the tears, frustration, and all-nighters to pass that one humanities class you hated even though you’re a math major?
Unrelated classes are added to our degree just so the university can drain more money from you. Realistically, it would only take two or three years to earn a Bachelor’s without the fluff classes.
Colleges Are Out of Touch With the Real World
Academia is not grounded in reality even though they claim to prepare you for the real world, especially the unrealistic standards of public schools. Our school boards come up with new testing standards and spend excessively on state tests that colleges and employers could care less about. This leaves students underprepared to take on life when instead they should’ve been learning about personal finances and other life skills, and they end up fearing reality.
The real world is evolving faster than the academic environment. Just look at how tech is changing our lives. Colleges can’t keep up and change their textbooks constantly.
We’ve heard college students on social media wondering when they’ll collapse of mental and physical stress. There’s this unrealistic expectation of ignoring how you truly feel and achieving that degree at all costs and by any means necessary. We are even encouraged by our parents and guidance counselors to become financially irresponsible.
In short, don’t do stuff that destroys your spirit. Pursue other means of success like technical school or learn new skills through Youtube, Udemy, or other affordable options. Live a life you won’t regret.