Is College Worth It?

By Nefertiti Cooper

Social Media is a very outspoken platform where people are able to voice their opinions and give inputs on controversial issues/topics. A few days ago, while scrolling on Instagram, I came across this post: “College graduates stay in student loan debt till they’re damn near 60 cuz they paid mad money to get handed a piece of paper so they can be an employee to get paid less money than required to pay off the loan smfh”, with caption “College is a scam dawg” and sarcastic remark “Oh how successful you become when you graduate college”.


While many people may agree with this post, and they’re free to have their own opinions, I personally was very disappointed to see others with this mindset. Schools fail to educate us about the reality of life during and after college, we spend so much time preparing ourselves for the real world, we often forget to think realistically.

  

In response to this post, I believe their claim is 99% FALSE and having this attitude about life will put you in this exact predicament. Students are not educated, mature, or serious enough to really sit down and think their lives through. I have seen this this year as I’ve busted my butt filling out scholarships, attending workshops, going on college tours etc. to really ensure that I’m correctly investing in my future, while my peers sit around and go with the flow.


From the jump, many students end up paying thousands for school because of their lack of motivation. Kids enter college, undecided, which is fine, not everyone is going to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives at 18, but once you begin college you can't expect your calling to come to you, you have to go out and get it. Prolonging your major will only result in pointless classes being taken, and having to add additional time and money for what is necessary to graduate. In addition to not knowing your major, many students go colleges based on their friends, girlfriend, or boyfriend. It may be difficult to excel at your major when you haven't attempted to attend a school that specializes in it. More money, more time, more classes.


On the other hand, many of my classmates have actually decided on what they want to do. They plan on attending college for 4 years, getting their associates degree, and stepping in the work world ready to become successful. Sounds good right? Wrong! Another common misconception I see. In this day and age, 4 years of schooling, is not enough, an associates degree is not enough. These successful business owners, doctors, lawyers, etc. have been in school for majority of their early adulthood, 6+ years gaining their Bachelors, Masters, Ph.D etc. 4 years of college is equivalent to a job that pays the bills, not a career.


An associates degree will get you a mediocre position, but if you really want to succeed, you must put in the work, and the schooling, and the time, and the money, to receive the outcomes that you want. Many majors people are interested in are crowded meaning everyone is studying the same basics to enter the workforce and receive the same scarce jobs. Eventually, there's going to be an overflow when everyone and their mother are hogging the job opportunities. We need to start thinking outside the box and focusing on the fields that are in need of workers or lacking. The jobs that are in high demand, and desperate for positions to be filled are more likely to pay the most and be readily available after graduating college.


We really have to begin thinking about the future thoroughly before making decisions. Many young kids want to become rich and successful like those they see on social media, but are too lazy to put in the work and time. You have to give, to get and that of course will not come easily, but in the end a job you enjoy and a house, and car you can afford will be. Unfortunately, it may be too late for some, especially if the thought of college being a scam has been drilled into their heads, it's not too late for everyone, so here’s some advice:

• Do not slack in high school. 
• Keeping up your grades all 4 cycles of all 4 years can make or break you.
•  Not only is that important for getting into college, but filling out scholarships. 
• You need to get as much money as you can even if that means typing 10+ essays, just remember, it gets easier. 
• Think realistically. It is okay to have dreams, goals, and aspirations, but students often base their life on what they see on the internet. 
• Talk to your guidance counselor. They’re there to offer guidance, use them as a resource when thinking about your future. They can help you plan, and answer any questions you may have.
• Prepare. Speaking from personal experience, I feel very unprepared for my future, but I must succeed regardless. 

Unprepared, scared, nervous, anxious, excited, determined, are all words that can describe how I feel about my college process. Although of course this whole process was new to me because it’s my first time applying to college, I felt bombarded and unexpecting. I hope the juniors and lower class men can take the advice others, such as me, are giving them just as I wish I would have fully taken the exact same advice that was given to me.