Is a College Degree the Definition of Being Successful?
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Is College the Answer?
I have been battling on and off for 6 years about whether I should stay in college. According to most this should be a no-brainer. Of course I should stay in college, I want to be successful, don't I?
Why does a college degree have to be the factor of whether or not I will be successful in my life? This idea begins when we are children. Your parents tell you that they want you to get good grades, so that you can get into a good college, and be successful, there is a lot of pressure right there. Then you feel the pressure in school from your teachers and mentors again to get good grades and go to college.
Not Going to College is the Answer for Me
I have really never enjoyed school, I never struggled, I just never enjoyed it. I was the person who got good grades but was frequently "sick" (sick of school). I always wanted to go to college, but mostly to move away from the small town life and I thought that I would enjoy college more than I enjoyed K-12.
Right after high school I started at a community college for two years. I didn't enjoy it, I thought it was because it felt a lot like high school. Then I moved away to go to a Cal State University for three years. I didn't enjoy these classes either, I thought perhaps it was the school itself. Recently I transferred to another Cal State University only to realize that no matter how many times I transferred the problem wasn't the school or the classes, it was me.
So now that I struggled with the stress of going to college or not all these years, I realize that I made the best choice for me by quitting. While I'm sure that I will go back and get my degree someday, I don't feel pressured or rushed.
Ultimate Question
Can you be successful without going to college? The answer is, of course you can!
I have seen a lot of people in my life that have gone to college and they still have jobs that they hate, where they don't feel like they make enough money or are living up to their potential. Does that sound successful to you?
I am still willing to work hard for what I want, and I know that I will be successful at whatever I set my mind to doing. I agree that college is required for certain jobs and job fields, but we don't all want to be doctors, lawyers, scientists, etc, do we?
Some Tips for the College Bound or Current College Student
Something that I wish that colleges would prepare their students for is the reality of the outside world. Here are some tips from me:
- You are not guaranteed a job when you get out of college.
- If you do get a job, you are not going to start as the CEO of a company with no experience.
- Work while you are in school to gain experience in your field, and life experiences
- Realize that a lot of the things that they teach you in school, you will probably never use again
- Don't go to college because other people want you to, go because you want to
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Comments
I agree, I think that you should be in a constant stage of growth.
Thank you. this is what i have been trying to tell my parents for FOUR years.
this article really helped me out alot...i'm thankful i came across this...i'm a very hardworking person and right now i'm enjoying my work...saving up to move out...i'm paying bills and credit cards off without having to be paying all this tuition and not have a clue what i want to do
very understandable...but it seems as better to have a degree rather not =)
Heartening to see people believing in the virtue of hard work than the tried and tested ways. It is tough in a world that has got used to the way it is, but, hard work always pays off. Nice post.
Success is something that can't merely be taught.
No, a degree is not the definition of being successful. Success comes from within. That being said, often having that degree can be one part of a plan toward becoming successful.
You may want to try college again in a few years. Or not. I know when I first started college, I felt much the same as you. Eight years later I went back and did quite well. I think that this is becoming a much more common model. Many folks do not graduate at 22 now.
Someone from www.school-survival.net/forums linked me here. Good stuff.
same as stratovarius, in the chat. this was so useful, thank you.
I am example of working very hard and going pretty far in life. I only have a two year, Associates Degree, and I did very well with that... but at 50, I've hit a ceiling. While some people think out of the box and will promote people strictly on talent - MANY will not. If you have the opportunity to get a degree - take it.
I have to say, reading this article was like reading something I wrote myself. I've honestly been feeling like this all year, and I'm only in my first year of community college. I have decided to take some time off, though. My biggest worry was whatmy family would think, or my fiance. But my fiance has been supportive, and I've decided that this is my life, and that my family shouldn't sway me on such a large decision. Thank you for this article, it really is something that helps a lot of people as you can see by the comments left before me.
i would say, if you love what you are doing, then do it. prosperity is in life is not bound by bounderies nor achievements. its just a loot from a step ahead.
livelonger says:
3 years ago
I think more and more that learning should be spread out during the course of your lifetime. As long as you can support yourself and enjoy what you're doing, then that's great. I don't think Bill Gates ever graduated...