Speakeasy forum: Why you should not go to college

Rather than, "What should I major in" or "Where should I go"
You should be asking "Should I go to college?".

The question "Should I go to college?" is asked too hasty. Students are making impulsive decisions enrolling into colleges. Students need to understand enrolling into college may be a waste of time and money. For instance, college does not teach creativity; how to think outside the box a key to success. Furthermore, education is widely available outside of colleges and universities for a much lower cost. In addition, pursing a dream degree does not guarantee a dream job. In time, after graduation, students who enrolled into college will acquire massive amounts of debt. Also, most students who enroll into college have one main reason: to make more money. However on the contrary, recent studies have shown more money does not contribute to more happiness. Abstaining from enrolling into college is the prominent choice.

College cannot teach creativity, the key to innovation. For instance, used college textbooks will have many names within. All students along with their classmates took the same class and where taught the same material. Stop learning inside the box; think outside the box, loan books from a local library that were not used in college classes. For instance, Stoking Your Innovation Bonfire by Brandon Kelly. These types of books help turn your creativity into innovation, which a college class will never be able too do. Its only human nature to want to achieve first place. Going to college is trying to win a race by following first place. In college classes professors are teaching material that is already well know. Creativity is necessary for innovation.

Success will always lie outside of college. For instance, Many of well known businesses were started by those who skipped or dropped out of college and used their creativity to succeed. For example, Michael Dell, Founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell dropped out of University of Texas, [1]. "When I started our company, it was very much an idea outside of the conventional wisdom, and if there were people telling me that it wasn't going to work, I wasn't really listening to them." - Michael Dell. People who skip college and work with creativity, endurance, and passion will always succeed.

In addition, when people think of education after High School they impulsively conclude that college is the only choice. In contrast, public libraries have more than what college has to offer. For example, educating yourself in a library is free. On the other hand, college debt can quickly add up to a large amount. For example, graduates from mediocre colleges in New Hampshire on average are in debt $32,440.00, [2]. Also, you can set your own learning pace in libraries; no deadlines or due dates. Furthermore, the internet is one of the best places to learn. The internet is home to all of the world's knowledge an can be accessed at many places including a library. Libraries are an outstanding learning environments.

In contrast, the majority of college students feel rushed with exams and the overall pace of college. It is near impossible to become successfully educated in a pressured environment. Many graduates are returning home with no job, however returning only with a piece of paper with their name on it, (degree). These graduates had the mindset of enrolling into college, graduating, and having a job instantly in their degree. In reality, colleges do not give their students guaranteed jobs. In fact, many college graduates are working at jobs that do not need degrees. For example, approximately 260,000 graduates from California are working at underemployed jobs, [3]. Students are wasting time and money getting degrees.

Furthermore, students forget that a college is a business. Colleges have successfully created a cultural norm for High School students and teachers that you must enroll into college to get a job, or you must go to college to have a bright future. This is a prime example of what 1984 written by George Orwell tried to tell its readers; do not believe everything you hear, see, or read, even if it is accepted by everyone and considered a norm. Bright futures exist outside of college.

In addition, college's accountabilities are overrated. When a companies' products has a major recall it is widely criticized in the media, as the media loves to do. For instance, Toyota had a recall due to their cars having a potential risk of fire. Toyota lost lots of accountability and integrity due to the recall. However, it seems colleges do not lose their accountability when the majority of their graduates are out of a job and in massive debt. For instance, In 2011, 53.6 % of bachelor-degree-graduates where jobless or underemployed, [4]. It does not make any sense; more and more students every year are enrolling into these unethical places of education. Students need to understand Colleges are a business, and will twist the truth to make a profit.

However, if you find yourself pursuing a career in the health industries, law, teaching, or an military officer you will need a college degree. Only pursue those careers if you are passionate. Do not pursue to become a doctor just for the money. Having a job you do not enjoy is not fun. In addition, having more money does not mean more happiness. In fact, more money can lead to additional problems. Find a job or source of income that you love to do every day.

In conclusion, do not go to college unless you wish to become another brick in the wall, of the wall of debt and unemployed


Sources:
[1] www.collegedropoutshalloffame.com/d.htm
[2] www.projectonstudentdebt.org/state_by_state-data.php
[3] www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/11/20/CA-college-grads-menial-jobs




Note: This post was edited by a forum moderator to remove personal Website link on 01/24/2013 at 1:33 PM PT