Why do Students Attend College: Learn More, or Make More

Parents Forum
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<p>I have just finished high school and plan to attend my local CC for two years then transferring. I am going to college for both of those reasons (to be able to get a good job in the future/to learn), but not necessarily because of them. </p>

<p>I’m going to college because it is a stepping stone to my dreams. If it were merely to get good pay and a nice piece of paper saying I took this course or that, then it really wouldn’t have much meaning for me. </p>

<p>I’m going for a dream and an ambition. I’m going for something that will fulfill my interests, and provide long-term enjoyment till the day I die, even if I’m a pauper enjoying it. </p>

<p>Good paying jobs and knowledge are good, but ultimately what my heart and mind enjoys doing the most will last. Jobs and pay are subject to the swing and sway of the economy, while knowledge can be useless if not used in some productive way or for some greater purpose.</p>

<p>I do believe that the desire to get a good paying job for many people out there is for a great purpose (to feed their families or provide a better future for their children), and that is certainly amiable…</p>

<p>But in my situation, one person, young, no children to feed, what I mentioned above as being reasons to go to college apply to me.:)</p>

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<p>I_Payne, I was really depressed reading this thread, and you cheered me up.</p>

<p>Marian, I agree with you that the trend toward college being an unquestioned path, just like high school, is not necessarily a good thing.</p>

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<p>For the people I graduated high school with, college was the logical next step. We grew up thinking that way. If college didn’t guarantee us a high paying job, we would still attend college. If college didn’t guarantee us the quintessential learning community, we would still attend college. We’re not ticket punching kind of people, but we were privileged students who had families and a high school that instilled the value of attending college.</p>

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<p>I agree marian. Good thoughts. These days it seems like people expect you to go to college, and if you aren’t, they wonder if there are any problems with you.</p>