I bet this question is burning on the tongues and brains of every high school graduate, college student and especially freshmen after their first year of college: You ask yourself, “When is this class going to end? Is this professor still talking? Is getting a college degree worth all of this?” These thoughts have run through our minds more times than we can count. The educational part is not the only thing. There are also the extracurricular activities and the many other obligations that come with the “college experience” as some might call it. Where does one draw the line? When does one reach their capacity? In other words, is college vastly overrated?
Let’s look at this. First of all, there is education. William Allin once said, “Education is not the answer to the question. Education is the means to the answer to all questions.” This is one of the most important ingredients in the recipe called life. In today’s society, ignorance of knowledge, higher learning and the basic essential skills that college offers is simply unacceptable. Survival is key, and one of the main objectives is living a productive life. How can one survive in a world as competitive as this without at least some degree of college grooming? A college degree has basically become what a high school diploma used to be. In the past, a high school diploma gave you an advantage. It was one of the things that may have singled you out from everyone else. But nowadays, you need a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for many of the few jobs that are on the market. I’m not saying it’s mandatory that you have a degree in order to be successful, but you are more likely to attain success with it than without it.
If any of you are like me, then you like to be involved in many of the things that campus life and college have to offer. For example, you may be a good leader so you want to be a part of the Student Association, or you may be musically talented so you want to be a part of the band or the choir. I believe being involved is necessary for growth, and only through growth can we gain the things and do the things that we never thought possible. But each of us has a limit. You join this club, then another, and then another and some after that. Before you know, you are a part of more organizations than classes you have on your schedule. Organizations are great to occupy your time and help others, but you must also leave time for yourself and the very reason you came to college. Then there is the social scene everyone wants to be a part of. Everybody wants to be cool, hang out with the people of great social status and be included. Come on now. You were thinking it, too. But sometimes trying to do this can be very stressful and disappointing. You do all you can to try and fit in, but in the end it doesn’t always turn out the way you thought it would.
So what’s the point you ask? The point is that though college may not be the easiest, the most stress free or the most enjoyable experience of your life, the journey is far too important to be passed up. Opportunity is the key that unlocks all doors, and it would be truly sad to look back at your life and have regrets about missing out on a path that could very well change your life forever. Think of all the wonderful things college has to offer. You will gain friends that you will have for the rest of your life, memories that you will cherish each and every day and the knowledge that will carry you through life in the pursuit of your dream. Is college overrated? No. As a matter of fact, college is underrated by many and too often unappreciated. And what is truly sad is that some will never know that they are missing out on one of the greatest things this life has to offer.
Stedmond Ware is a freshman majoring in biological sciences. He can be contacted at [email protected].