Why Go To College in the First Place

When considering college, a student or potential student needs to know exactly why they are going to take four years out of their life to earn a degree. Most teenagers in their senior year have no idea why they are supposed to go to college or what their options are if they don’t go. College isn’t for everyone and before you make the decision to spend the time and money that it takes to go to College, the potential student needs to go through a lot of soul searching to make sure that college is the right path for them.
 
First the student needs to look at where they are now and where they want to be in five years. This five year plan should include what kind of job they want to be in, how much money they will make in the job, and what kind of lifestyle they want to live. If they want a nice car and a nice house, college is a way to get those things but there are many jobs out there that can provide the same things without an education. For example, the coal field in Wyoming pays more for unskilled labor than the teachers of Wyoming schools.
 
The next thing the student needs to look at is how much school they will need for their chosen field. Some jobs only want their applicants to have a two year degree. This is good for a entry level position, but if the student wants to advance, they either have to go back to school or take supplementary courses to achieve that promotion. Sometimes it is easier to go to school when you still have parental support and can still earn scholarships off of your high school record. Once you go to a two year college and pass, you high school record fades from importance and your college record becomes the standard that will allow you back in school.
 
The student must now ask if ‘now’ is the right time to go to school. Some people want some time to take a break after high school, but studies have shown that a break sometimes lasts a lifetime and many students do not return after the break. Four years in the military could fund your college so if you need a break from school, the military is a good option to go for.