Why is an education so important when you’re young?
As I finished high school, I didn’t feel like attending college. I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I just wanted to work any job that I could find. I thought that college was a waste of time. I thought that I had things under control (spoiler: I didn’t).
Boy was I ever wrong. Keep on reading to see why an education is so important…
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin
Lately, I’ve seen all kinds of online entrepreneurs bashing the idea of a college education. I know that it’s trendy to mock college due to the all of the student debt and the flaws with the college system. College isn’t perfect, but I still don’t think that it’s a waste of time.
This article is designed to provide 5 valid reasons that every young person should pursue a post secondary education.
Should you go to college? Why exactly is a college education so important in this day and age?
An education is a part of growing up.
When we think about growing up and our younger years, we always think of school. School is simply a part of life. Not only will school help you mature but it’s an excellent buffer zone between being young and starting work. Most of us aren’t ready for the workforce at 17. Most of us need time to develop and grow as human beings.
You got the rest of your life to work, why start at age 18 when you can be in school getting an education?
You meet new people and make lifelong connections in college.
College isn’t just about getting drunk and trying to hook up. Well, that’s what makes college fun. With that being said, you can make lifelong connections in college from future co-workers to future life partners.
Not only will you meet friends for life but most of these friends will be in the same field of work and an excellent source of networking in the future. On top of new friends, you’ll meet many professors that could be potentially helpful in you getting the job of your dreams.
Long story short: you meet a lot of people when you’re in college. Some of these relationships will stick forever.
College is still a learning experience.
Not only will you learn how to drink 6 beers in 10 minutes or how to find cheap party nights, you’ll also learn how to manage time effectively so that you have time for everything.
You’ll obtain many valuable skills in school that will be really helpful when you finally enter the workforce. School helps you deal with deadlines, pressure, stress, networking, proper note taking, and money management amongst the many other things. If you choose not to pursue any educational endeavours after high school then you will be a 18 year old in the workforce without the many valuable skills that employers seek.
You also do more learning that what happens in the classroom setting. You can find a program with a work term/co-op program where you actually work in the field.
College programs with work terms allow you to actually work in the field when you’re still in school. You get hands-on experience, you make connections, and you make money.
An education is something to be proud of.
Once you get that piece of paper displaying your name, it’s yours for the rest of your life and no one can take it away from you. This will also set a good example if you have any younger siblings or younger people that look up to you. This is one of those benefits of going to college that requires intrinsic motivation. You have to really want something to be proud of for the rest of your life. Getting that degree will push you and challenge in many different ways.
I’m personally proud of the fact that I was able to stick to something and complete it. I was the first in my family to complete college.
You can increase your income/earning potential with a college education.
A majority of people go to school to make more money in the future. This is one of the main benefits of a college education. Your income earning potential will increase greatly with a college education. You could argue and say there are different ways to make money, but with an education (depending on the major) you are pretty much going to find work for the rest of your life. On top of having solid work, odds are you will find a career in something that you truly enjoy, instead of some meaningless position. The income you make also varies on the field, but most fields will pay more than if you did not have an education. My cousin earned his bachelor of science in computer information systems and it has paid off over the years.
There are obviously many degrees that don’t lead to much income, but that’s on you to do the research before you enrol in the program. If you find a profitable field, you can make decent money in your lifetime.
Your turn to chime in with some thoughts. How many more benefits of a college education can you think of?
“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss