Is College worth it?

Before we dive deep into the topic, we should give our appreciation to many activists and politicians whom had changed and made basic education accessible to everyone. And if you're a high schooler getting ready to apply to colleges or you're someone considering going back to community college, I hope this could help you in some way.

Education is a privilege, and many people have forgotten its value. However, in the 21st century, anything is possible, whether or not one has a college degree. College is definitely still worth it, due to the experiences you would gain over time, which would help shape your confusing 20s. You might do crazy things with your friends, partying with responsibilities, confusing life goals, and God knows what, but also wanting to do everything because you're so passionate. But of course, you don't need to be in college to experience these things because our modern world is filled with everything we could've ever dreamed of ages ago.

However, to decide whether attending college is a good idea, let's consider various elements. The biggest elephant in the room is finance. Attending a 4-year institution would be costly; you would need to take into account the school tuition and living costs. It would be nice if you were able to get some grants or scholarships, but we all know it's very limited. If you're fortunate enough to attend college without batting an eye for finance, then that's great, but one thing no one ever prepared you for in college is being financially responsible, and what would happen to a college freshman with a credit card and no parents around? All hell would break loose. On the other side of the spectrum, those who are less fortunate bear the financial burdens to provide for themselves or others are usually experienced with finance would face the challenge of carrying on their financial responsibilities along with academic responsibility at the same time, and this is a test of human limits. 

With that in mind, choosing a major to pursue isn't quite like tying your shoes. To be fair, letting a young adult, depending on their experiences, make a big life decision isn't the best idea, or maybe it isn't as big of a deal as you thought it would be. Before getting into your upper-division classes where you are actually doing something major-related, you would need to finish your General Education (GE) within your first two years, and believe me or not, many people change their majors during this time. Because of this, the idea of community college started to gain more attention by finishing your GE without costing as much. 

Still, if you decide to go forward with college, it’s up to you to make it worth your while. Will you step out of your comfort zone to make new friends? Build connections that could shape your future? Will you stay up late debating something wild with your roommate, or try that one thing you never thought you would? Whatever path you choose, remember: it’s your experience. Be curious. Be brave. Talk to alumni. Ask questions. Take this post with a grain of salt—but if you get the chance to go to college, and it feels right for you, don’t be afraid to take that leap.