I am sure that today’s topic will resonate with many people. Not only those who are facing this decision. Also, those who look back to that moment when they had to make their choice, and may now contrast it with their current reality. Is it really worth it to go to college?

If you’ve been following my recent posts, you’ll remember that recently we were talking about how back in our parents’ or grandparents’ day there was only one way to be somebody in life (as they believed or were told). And that path was to go to college. Entrepreneurship has always existed as another alternative to make a living. But formal education was a fundamental stage that most parents dreamed of for their children to live.

I say “dreamed” (in past tense) because over time many parents had to get used to seeing younger generations working in areas unthinkable for them. Virtual classes, professional services from home, graphic design, e-commerce, digital content, podcasts, videos, are some examples of careers that 20 years ago or more would not have been considered possible.

The decision to go or not to go is totally personal. It depends entirely on what each person aspires for their life and future. Both options have pros and cons, and I feel able to share them with you today and become light on that path, to help you take the right route.

What if I decide to go?

If what you want for your life depends on the knowledge you can only get through a college education, enrolling is the right choice. And I emphasize this because studying for a degree implies a high investment of time, effort, and money. And while money can always be recovered, the time and effort spent will only be worth it if you work in your profession.

A very enjoyable and rewarding experience

One of the most important things you can get from this stage of life is the richness of its people. The name “university”, in my opinion, could be attributed to the fact that it is a small universe with samples of people of all types, social levels, cultures, ages, and mindsets. All this diversity opens your mind to a myriad of perspectives. This will take you out of the small world that your family, friends, and community have represented so far. You will see that there is so much more out there to explore and learn from.

All these people you get to know also become a huge network that will help you thrive in your professional journey. A life that, when you start out on your own can become quite tough. But, being surrounded by people who are already successful in such areas as professors and faculty, or those who are going through the same struggles you are, makes it much easier to overcome. That’s because you get the right support.

“College is not my thing”

Having a degree is not a prerequisite to guarantee success in life. As we have also already mentioned, many renowned people today did not go through college or did not complete their studies. And although there are more professional careers adapting to many jobs every day, the truth is that we are all needed, no matter how big or small our jobs are.

It is also true that not everyone is willing to take at least 2 years and spend time and money to learn things that they will not use as a means to make a living. Currently, there are very specific certifications with online study options, possibly with short durations of up to 6 months. These types of options are well suited for those who need or want to earn an income as soon as possible, or for those who cannot afford the full university experience.

Love what you do

Regardless of what you decide, the most important thing to remember is the following:

You can always go to college. Maybe with the course of life and adulthood responsibilities it will get a little more complicated than when you were just out of high school. But if you really want it, you can do it at any point in your life. Just you put your mind to it, .
You can always work in any field you want. Having chosen a career doesn’t have to limit you to working in a specific area. You can always opt for certifications, or build that small or big business of your dreams. It’s all about working at it until you get there. And even if what you learned in college doesn’t relate at all to what you want to do, it will probably give you the maturity and super useful connections for this next big step.
Do what you love.

Focus on what makes you happy. Life is too short to do something you don’t like. Try anything you like, even for short periods of time, even if you constantly change jobs. The important thing is to pursue something you enjoy, something you are good at. Thus, you can do it with love and others notice it. This is the only way to have a full life and make money at the same time.
Nico Pengin