Top Reasons To Stay In College

There are many different reasons to stay in school, and it’s important that you know what they are if you are thinking about dropping out.

  1. One of the main reasons to stay in school, even when you are at your most frustrated and confused, is that those who do decide to drop out do not make nearly as much as those who finish school. Short of becoming a famous actor or musician, you will find yourself with a yearly income significantly less than your friends who decide to stick it through and get their degrees.
  2. Reason number two is that if you do stay in school, you won’t have to spend that much if you start off at a community college. Everyone is worried about going deep into debt, but that doesn’t have to be the case if you take this route.
  3. The third reason to stay in college is that you will get lots of experience, both socially and academically. You’ll meet people who will shape the rest of your life, whether they are professors or fellow classmates you go to school with.
  4. The fourth reason to stay in college is that by getting a degree of some sort, you make yourself more attractive to employers. Whether you plan on just getting an Associates degree or Bachelors, it’s important to have credentials to show at interviews. You won’t get your dream job without getting some kind of paper stating that you have received proper training and education for whatever it is you want to do. Finally, the fifth and perhaps most important reason is that you will get a variety of connections. Fraternities and sororities are great for networking and getting yourself involved in things which will put you ahead of everyone else once you graduate. All in all staying in college is a smart decision, and one that you will not regret.
  5. Community Colleges are cheap – If you don’t think you would like college, try a small community one. You can save a lot of money per credit. This will make it less of an all-day affair for you, as the classes are often less work than a major college. The teachers can be just as entertaining at a community college as well. Once you’re sure you want to continue, this will save you money and time. If you decide a four year institution isn’t right for you, then a lot of money won’t be wasted.
  6. Jobs – I recall reading the average high school graduate earns one million dollars less in their lifetimes than a college graduate. I have also heard of many college graduates never using their degrees. The key is you’re better off with a college degree than without it. Perhaps the million dollars will goad you to continue, or the fact you may be stuck in a dead-end job. The more people there are in the world, the more critical jobs in the field of teaching and medicine will be needed. Teachers and nurses get paid way more than McDonald’s store managers, and often they enjoy the responsibility of the job. If you want to own your own house, getting a degree is a good way to get the high-paying job you will need.
  7. Experiences – You will meet more people going to college than not going. This can actually lead to jobs as well. College is about meeting all different kinds of people. From my experiences, I’ve met people from many different cultures with many different interests. If you don’t know what you want to do, at least you will have had fun in going to college. You might even meet a loved one here, or find the career you’ve always dreamed of. This doesn’t mean you have to move into a dorm, but you will be learning things about life.
  8. Politics – Colleges are the hub of ideas in the world, and have been for generations. If you have an interest in politics, college is a good fit to meet people with differing interests. Just about every major college will have flyers stapled in coffee shops about joining Republican or Democratic groups.
  9. Get away from your parents shadow – Parents brought you into the world, but if you want to make your own choices in the future, and perhaps borrow less money, college will be key in finding that independence.
  10. What will happen if you try if you’re thinking about dropping out anyway honestly. you’ll have a chance even if you do fail all your classes.

The Golden Ticket

None of these are golden rules, as college can be different for anyone. There is a reason you see older students at colleges seeking second careers: The economy isn’t too good in the United States, so jobs with high school diplomas that pay high aren’t as common. This doesn’t mean you have to go to college if you hate it, but I can attest that it leads to a superior life.