Once upon a time, there were these things called "parents" who actually taught life skills to kids. Handling money is one of those skills. I'm sure my kids are very tired of hearing that having debt is a very bad idea.
My older son, just this fall, decided after 5 days at college that it wasn't for him. He didn't like the party atmosphere, didn't like the professors he spoke to, and decided he'd be wasting time and money for four years. Instead, he wanted to start his filmmaking/music career right away. And he's working hard now, out on tour now, and making a film next month. At first, my wife and I were upset, since we both loved college, but so far, so good.
Finally I feel vindicated. However, going into debt is a major consideration. There is a lot to be said for self teaching. Read more books, and not just what they want you read. It is not always, do you know the answer off the top of your head, but do you know where to go to find the answer.
FTA: "If there’s one thing lacking in our education system, it’s a prep course on how to handle money and a reality check for what happens once you graduate."
Very true. I remember the credit card companies going to campuses and encourage students to get a credit card. Then when they couldn't pay them off, their parents got stuck with the bill.
I too dropped out of college after my first semester as I found it not to my liking, I had just got out of the navy and at 21 I felt a little out of place ! Went to work in the field that I learned in the service and spent the next 41 years at it. Retired early because I wanted to not because I had to. In my little corner of the US,I've met many a college grad looking for a job but I have yet to meet a skilled trades person that doesn’t have one.
i think a problem with college students is they dont know that self teaching is still a huge component to college. if you dont do it, you wont get as much from your education
I teach at a community college (technical program). I have some thoughts.
2. (not book smart) we specifically try to bring in those that aren't good at math or other typical subjects so they can get used to our hands-on tech courses first, then learn the importance for "book smarts" later on. Granted we're talking a second year trig skill most of the time, but once students learn how to apply their knowledge they often have much less trouble gaining that knowledge.
5. (experience>degree) extremely true. As long as you are able to "experience" whatever it is you're trying to get a job doing, by all means do it. Although many times you can only learn so much from google/youtube.
6. I'm biased but yes I agree. In my particular college in Michigan we have the need for around 70 job positions per year, for skilled jobs that are $25/hour to start. Yet we produce only around 15-20 degree students per year. We need more!!!
#6 is the best reason...the world needs Plumbers, Carpenters and Electricians. I agree with the author....when I was in school, the 'dumb' kids were taught trades and everyone else was assumed to go to the University. Even things like being a Nurse, Police Officer or Firefighter was looked 'down' on as 'lower class' work -- In this age of outsourcing and offshoring, these are now the jobs that are the ticket to the good life.
You're not going to get a job in those service industries (Nurse, Police Officer or Firefighter) without some post-secondary education. You probably won't advance in any of those jobs without some type of degree. These types of jobs have decent initial pay, then they tend to plateau. There is nothing wrong with them, as long as you know what you're getting into.
Could be he'll regret it, but the art world is filled with successful people who didn't go to college. I suspect he never really wanted to go, even though he had excellent grades and SAT's, but was conforming to what was expected of him. Finally, he said enough.
Not many people attain wisdom at 18, but he's a smart, well-read kid, and now he's starting out in the work world four years earlier than expected. Maybe he'll have a tough time, but so do scads of college graduates who are now in debt and working (if they can get a job) just to mark time.
None of these except the expense are good reasons not to go to college. If you can go, you should. You can do all of the things this article mentions here as your main extracurricular.
You are right that there is no shame - the only problem is that you don't know whether your life will be better after going to college or not. You can't see the future. However, statistically college is a very good thing, and you should try your best to go.
craig1958Feb 12, 2012Buried
Once upon a time, there were these things called "parents" who actually taught life skills to kids. Handling money is one of those skills. I'm sure my kids are very tired of hearing that having debt is a very bad idea.
blinker1315Feb 12, 2012Buried
My older son, just this fall, decided after 5 days at college that it wasn't for him. He didn't like the party atmosphere, didn't like the professors he spoke to, and decided he'd be wasting time and money for four years. Instead, he wanted to start his filmmaking/music career right away. And he's working hard now, out on tour now, and making a film next month. At first, my wife and I were upset, since we both loved college, but so far, so good.
pivenFeb 11, 2012Buried
Avoiding huge debt is a good thing
rxmichaelsFeb 11, 2012Buried
Finally I feel vindicated. However, going into debt is a major consideration. There is a lot to be said for self teaching. Read more books, and not just what they want you read. It is not always, do you know the answer off the top of your head, but do you know where to go to find the answer.
withearsFeb 12, 2012Buried
And you can get a great college degree while avoiding debt.
You don't have to avoid education to avoid debt.
biofriendlyblogFeb 11, 2012Buried
FTA: "If there’s one thing lacking in our education system, it’s a prep course on how to handle money and a reality check for what happens once you graduate."
Very true. I remember the credit card companies going to campuses and encourage students to get a credit card. Then when they couldn't pay them off, their parents got stuck with the bill.
barfomaticFeb 12, 2012Buried
I too dropped out of college after my first semester as I found it not to my liking, I had just got out of the navy and at 21 I felt a little out of place ! Went to work in the field that I learned in the service and spent the next 41 years at it. Retired early because I wanted to not because I had to. In my little corner of the US,I've met many a college grad looking for a job but I have yet to meet a skilled trades person that doesn’t have one.
bdbrFeb 12, 2012Buried
Reasonable enough. The parents should have been the ones to teach them money management. We certainly did.
iamthegangsFeb 12, 2012Buried
>> He didn't like the party atmosphere
I stopped reading. Go find a better college.
autokadFeb 12, 2012Buried
i think a problem with college students is they dont know that self teaching is still a huge component to college. if you dont do it, you wont get as much from your education
rudegarFeb 12, 2012Buried
forced college does nobody any good
meccaydnaFeb 12, 2012Buried
I teach at a community college (technical program). I have some thoughts.
2. (not book smart) we specifically try to bring in those that aren't good at math or other typical subjects so they can get used to our hands-on tech courses first, then learn the importance for "book smarts" later on. Granted we're talking a second year trig skill most of the time, but once students learn how to apply their knowledge they often have much less trouble gaining that knowledge.
5. (experience>degree) extremely true. As long as you are able to "experience" whatever it is you're trying to get a job doing, by all means do it. Although many times you can only learn so much from google/youtube.
6. I'm biased but yes I agree. In my particular college in Michigan we have the need for around 70 job positions per year, for skilled jobs that are $25/hour to start. Yet we produce only around 15-20 degree students per year. We need more!!!
warlok480Feb 11, 2012Buried
#6 is the best reason...the world needs Plumbers, Carpenters and Electricians. I agree with the author....when I was in school, the 'dumb' kids were taught trades and everyone else was assumed to go to the University. Even things like being a Nurse, Police Officer or Firefighter was looked 'down' on as 'lower class' work -- In this age of outsourcing and offshoring, these are now the jobs that are the ticket to the good life.
craig1958Feb 12, 2012Buried
You're not going to get a job in those service industries (Nurse, Police Officer or Firefighter) without some post-secondary education. You probably won't advance in any of those jobs without some type of degree. These types of jobs have decent initial pay, then they tend to plateau. There is nothing wrong with them, as long as you know what you're getting into.
blinker1315Feb 12, 2012Buried
Could be he'll regret it, but the art world is filled with successful people who didn't go to college. I suspect he never really wanted to go, even though he had excellent grades and SAT's, but was conforming to what was expected of him. Finally, he said enough.
Not many people attain wisdom at 18, but he's a smart, well-read kid, and now he's starting out in the work world four years earlier than expected. Maybe he'll have a tough time, but so do scads of college graduates who are now in debt and working (if they can get a job) just to mark time.
craig1958Feb 12, 2012Buried
That's just one of the things you tell the parents, not the real reason.
hediggmeFeb 12, 2012Buried
None of these except the expense are good reasons not to go to college. If you can go, you should. You can do all of the things this article mentions here as your main extracurricular.
yousafrohFeb 12, 2012Buried
Nice article. We should do what we want to do or which we can do, if we are better without going to college than their is no shame.
elimgarakFeb 12, 2012Buried
You are right that there is no shame - the only problem is that you don't know whether your life will be better after going to college or not. You can't see the future. However, statistically college is a very good thing, and you should try your best to go.
norman619Feb 12, 2012Buried
That should be taught in elementary and again in high school.