To Attend College or Not?

I mentioned in another post that I was a big proponent of college education. In so doing, I feel I might have been a bit too dismissive of those who do not put a high premium on a college education. There are certainly some valid concerns that are worth discussing. As I talk to other parents that are not as committed to a university experience, their reasons seem to fall into a few basic categories:

• Not every child is suited for college; some would be better served by learning a trade or moving directly into the work force instead.

• The price of college has escalated to the point where the return on your money is no longer warranted based on the pay-off. Many students graduate with an astronomical amount of debt and no well-paying job.

• Institutions of higher learning also can be institutions of indoctrination. Depending on what classes, professors and other influencers a student encounters, some parents feel they send their students off religiously, philosophically and morally grounded only to have them graduate with an entirely different set of moral values, religious beliefs and political stances.

We could have endless debate on the pros & cons—the risks and benefits—of sending impressionable young adults off to college. That is not my purpose. My intention is to acknowledge the reality of these concerns and to point out that one of our most important parental responsibilities is guiding our individual children toward the paths that would give them the best possible preparation for their own unique life’s mission.

That said, I would like to talk about some of the reasons I feel a college education is important. One quote I love is “education is the power to think clearly, to act well in the world’s work, and to appreciate life.”  The purpose of education is not just to enable someone to make more money. Education adds richness to life’s experience. It moves us beyond our narrow perspective and allows us to understand and interact with the world in a way we could not without a broader viewpoint.

Education is certainly not limited to formal schooling; it is a personal responsibility regardless of the educational course pursued. Indeed, life-long learning should be the goal of every individual. However, taking advantage of structured educational opportunities, such as college, can provide benefits regardless of a person’s chosen vocation. Higher education provides a very efficient way to focus on accumulating information. Geography, culture, history, science, the arts, and the study of other subjects helps us to understand and appreciate the world. Even more important than the specific information obtained is the ability to think, reason, analyze, structure ideas, work towards deadlines, navigate expectations, complete assignments and learn to communicate about things learned. Education can also help in our roles as parents and teachers.

Ideally, a college education ought to not only empower us to be more financially self-reliant, but to rise to a greater level of intellectual, emotional and spiritual self-reliance.