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5 Reasons Why College Is Still Important In 2023
Nowadays, the idea that college is not important is overtaking a culture that once placed a lot of meaning and self-value into getting a degree. I can’t say I disagree with this shift. However, I will not go as far as to claim that college is a waste of time and money.
This harmful mindset is undermining the power of higher education. As our perspective about college shifts, the value we place in it should no longer be dominated by the goal of financial security, especially in the era of entrepreneurship and financial literacy. This creates an opportunity for us to redefine the value of higher education and its place in our society.
Reason 1: Higher earning potential
The biggest and most classic reason that people attend college is to get a good paying job. But this investment does not guarantee you won’t be living paycheck to paycheck. Especially since, as many have come to realize, financial security has a lot less to do with having a degree and a lot more about you behavior with money.
However, the idea that people who go to college earn higher pay than those who don’t attend college is still true! In fact, those who hold a bachelor’s degree make 84% more than those who only hold a high school diploma.
What’s more, college allows you gain important skills, relationships and opportunities for employment. But getting a good job isn’t the best part. The best part about college is the friendships, activities and access that will transform and develop you into the person you were meant to be.
Reason 2: College is an investment
People who are against college look to cost as their central evidence for why college is a waste of time and money. Don’t get me wrong, I 100% agree that college should not be as expensive as it is today. And if I had a chance, I would make all public education free, and give higher tax breaks to those who invest in their alma mater or HBCUs (wishful thinking here!). However, as a society, we are willing to invest in our happiness, in our looks, in our families, in our hobbies. Yet, when thinking of investing in higher education or career training, we throw a fit!
In 2023, the average cost of attending college is $35,551 per student per year. Of course, how much a student will actually pay to go to college has to do with a variety of factors including the type of institution (public or private), financial aid, and if they are a resident in the state of their college. In reality, some people end up paying a lot more out-of-pocket, and others pay a lot less.
The point is, give yourself grace if you didn’t receive a full scholarship because earning a degree is still possible. And in fact, less than 1% of students actually receive a full-ride scholarship in the US. Also, it is important to recognize that “full-ride” might only include tuition and fees, and not housing, books, or other expenses that you are eventually going to pay while attending college.
I say all of this to say, you will have to pay for college at some point. But you don’t have to go into debt to get a quality education. If you do a little research, have a financial plan, and have great work ethic, higher education can be affordable.
And remember, this is not like shopping at the mall. If you pick the right institution, the investment you make in yourself should pay itself and then some. This is because you are paying for access to your school’s alumni network, resources like the career center, health services, trainings, and ect.
Overall, an investment in education might be one of the most valuable things anyone can do for themselves.
Reason 3: Skill building and resources
When I graduated college, my one regret was not taking every chance to receive as much training and information as possible. Many institutions offer libraries where you can find almost any book or article on almost every field and topic. Moreover, it allows you to add specialized trainings to your resume and portfolio that are already included in tuition. So if you are already paying for it, why not take advantage of it? Use that extra free time between classes to go beyond what you learn in the classroom and tailor your education to learn the skills you will need for the professional world.
Moreover, a lot of jobs nowadays can find anyone with a degree. What you do outside the classroom matters just as much, if not even more. Things like independent projects, extra-curricular activities, leadership roles and research also make for a great job candidate. Again, these are skills you can get without college, but higher education provides the environment, time, and resources to sharpen soft and hard skills.
Additionally, the most important skill that college will give you is the skill of independence. Don’t get it twisted: independence is not easy. Managing your money, time, and responsibility is an everyday balancing act. To succeed, this requires self-motivation, organization, and accountability.
I speak for myself when I say that for a very long time, my families expectations and supervision was the driving reason why I sought success. Once I got to college, I was away from their overprotectiveness and watchfulness; I had to find my own reasons to get up everyday and succeed.
Reason 4: Expanding your tribe
A recent CNBC article reveals that 70% of jobs are not published. Another article states that 85% of jobs are filled through networking. Must I say more? Having access to your college’s alumni networking is going to prove essential as you look for entry-level positions in your career field. Moreover, the peers that you rub shoulders with on your campus have their own contacts that you might be able to access.
However, although networking is important, so is friendship. One reason I tell people to live on campus versus at home (if they can and if it makes sense to their situation) is because it forces you to interact with others and create meaningful connections.
While living in West Africa, I learned how truly isolating and lonely American life can be. Engulfed in this toxic workaholic culture, finding meaningful downtime to engage and connect with our communities–and for some, our family–is usually not a priority. And the thing is, a lot of us prefer this lifestyle. Most people like staying in rather than going out with friends. Most of us like to live in our bubble and mind our business. The thing is, success and happiness rarely happen in isolation and a vacuum; It takes a tribe to find them both. For example, when starting a business, some of your very first customers and investors will be your friends and family. So it’s worth it to grow your community, because they play in major role in your story!
“Making Friends is Hard!”
I have social anxiety, and everyone I meet seems to have the same. But start here: every first-year is looking for a tribe, so you won’t be alone! And if you need a practical step to start meeting like-minded people, join a club you might be interested in. This is a great place to connect with people who have the same interests as you.
Yes, it is entirely possible to complete college without ever making a friend, but this will rob you of an essential experience in your newfound adulthood. It’s okay to prefer solitude, but building your personal community is healthy and necessary for a fulfilling life and college is a great environment see this through!
Reason 5: A chapter in life you will never forget
As a Black woman, college allowed me to redefine myself and become the woman I always wanted to be. I was a mess when I first got to college; fresh out of high school, I had no clue what I was doing. However, as a college graduate, I often long for those days. It was a time where the responsibilities were present but not overwhelming. I made mistakes without feeling like the world was going to crash around me. And the best part: my main responsibility was to study, get involved, and enjoy being young. It was four years immersed in learning! The best part of life!
I want to emphasize, especially for people of color, college is a time where we can break down the toxic ideas and values that we thought were essential to our personhood and culture. From a lack of work-life balance, to the prejudice we hold about others, it is also a place to become critical thinkers, healthy skeptics, and articulate beings.
You will surprise yourself, you will challenge yourself, and you will grow. This, above all else, is the most important reason to go to college.
