Introduction: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
“Is college really a waste of time and money, or is it the gateway to success that society claims? As tuition costs rise and the job market evolves, the debate surrounding the value of higher education becomes more fervent than ever.”. However, many students, upon entering this realm, find themselves like boats without sails, drifting in directions influenced easily by their emotions or feelings. Some merely pass through, similar to their experiences in school, while others become dropouts, contributing to the notion that dropouts often become billionaires. However, this is not always the case. Individuals like Steve Jobs and Zuckerberg, who “found fame and fortune without a college diploma” (Wartzman & Hoder), represent just a fraction of the thousands of dropouts.
For the other group that goes through their college lives and enters the scholarly environment of universities, there is often contemplation about whether this brief sojourn in the free atmosphere has benefited them in terms of time and money. The answer to their quizzical thinking is affirmative—indeed, they do benefit. Life after attending college not only aids in personal development but also contributes to improved financial conditions and social and moral upbringing.
Personal Development: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
A student attends school and college for personal development, encompassing activities that prompt the student to discover and utilize their potentialities and talents, which may otherwise remain unknown. This human capital becomes an asset in the market, enabling the student to realize and materialize their dreams. While school lays the groundwork for this, college plays a crucial role in making the student recognize these talents through counseling and interactions with various coaches, teachers, and counselors.
In college, students, even those who may be shy and introverted in school, are identified and provided with lessons to transform into confident and extroverted individuals, setting them on a path for success in life once their true faculties are gauged. College offers a unique environment of freedom and intense competition, where students are prepared for the challenges of the academic world, marked by fierce competition and a focus on passing ratios and productive power.
This training not only prepares individuals for immediate success but continues to assist them throughout their lives. As stated on Mount Carmel College’s website, they affirm “a life-long process that we all share of growing into authentic personhood and freedom” (“Student Personal Responsibility”). This personhood and freedom, as articulated on MCC’s website, encapsulate the essence of personal development, representing the ultimate goal of college. Therefore, achieving this goal renders the college experience far from a waste of time.
Career: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
It has been observed that college education or a college career contributes to the improvement of a person’s financial conditions. Picchi, quoting a researcher, emphasizes that a four-year degree is considered a passport for financial success among Americans. The cited research indicates that “people who graduated college in the 1990s and 2000s entered the workforce earning $5,400 more than people in the age group without college degrees” (Picchi). In contemporary times, many organizations, companies, and factories prefer college graduates over those who only completed school, aiming to enhance productivity and assimilation into the organizational culture.
The preference for college graduates is grounded in the belief that they are better equipped to assimilate into professional settings due to their exposure to both freedom and discipline. Consequently, the higher demand for college-educated individuals translates into higher salaries and increased earnings throughout their lives.
Attention: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
Another noteworthy aspect is the influence of social and moral norms established by adults on the world. These norms undergo changes, transformations, amendments, substitutions, and even deletions from the societal fabric. As the first institution of adulthood, college serves as the platform where students encounter these morals, social norms, folkways, and mores for the first time. Students experience both freedom and responsibilities, foreshadowing the societal expectations that will be imposed on them. Their initial experiences in college set the stage for social assimilation.
Booker T. Washington’s speech on October 24th supports the significance of college life, stating that it “opens minds and worlds—in ways that stretch us—almost pull us—to become different people” (Washington). Washington implies that college life prepares individuals for civilized living in society. The primary objective is to seamlessly merge into society and adopt its social and moral values, instilled in students during their brief stay in college.
College Dropouts: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
However, the perspective goes beyond the recent dropout billionaires who have left their mark in the business world. In addition to examples like Gates, Jobs, and Zuckerberg, numerous other billionaires underscore the notion that success is not solely a do-it-yourself (DIY) game. Wartzman & Hoder, in their article “Don’t Encourage Students to Skip College,” caution against using these examples as stimuli for students, highlighting that statements like “All three are now superstars in the N.B.A.” can be misleading (Wartzman & Hoder). Such statements might tempt college-bound students and lead parents to perceive higher education as a waste of both time and money. Contrary to this perception, the reality is different, as college not only prepares a student for societal integration but also equips them for personal development and growth.
Conclusion: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
In short, college life is not a waste of time and money but an investment with long-term benefits. It serves as a preparation ground for facing social restrictions and financial challenges. College equips students to assimilate into a culture, fostering personal growth and significant contributions to the society they inhabit. By shaping better citizens, college plays a role in making the world a better place. Therefore, considering the positive impact on personal and societal levels, it can be viewed as a valuable asset that students invest in with their time and money, ultimately improving their lives.
Works Cited: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
- Hoder, Rick Wartzman & Randye. “Don’t Encourage Students to Skip College.” 03 December 2012. The New York Times. 03 February 2022.
- Picchi, Aimee. “Why skipping college means losing $830,000 in income.” 06 May 2014. CBS News. 03 February 2022.
- “Student Personal Responsiblity .” 2014. Mount Carmel College. 03 February 2022 <http://www.mcc.catholic.edu.au/student-wellbeing/student-personal-responsibility>.
- Washington, Booker T. “The Case for College.” Office of the President. High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas. 24 Oct. 2022. Speech.
Relevant Questions: Is College Really a Waste of Time and Money?
- What are the key factors that contribute to the perception that college is a waste of time and money, and how do they vary across different individuals and circumstances?
- In what ways can the value of a college education be measured beyond immediate financial returns, and how do these broader aspects contribute to an individual’s personal and professional development?
- How do shifts in the job market and the evolving nature of work impact the relevance of a college education, and are there alternative paths or skills that might be more valuable in today’s landscape?