Back to School

I’m teaching a course at a local college and I’m really enjoying it so far (well, it’s only been one day). I’ve got a class of 9 bright, upper-division students and we’re going to have a lot of fun as we are learning together.

But as much as I’m thankful for the adjunct position (that will just about keep my Starbucks habit funded), I have a question for all those going to college this fall.

Why?

Why are you spending tens of thousands of dollars, and hundreds of hours, on school? Is it because you think that a degree is going to qualify you for your dream job? (Hint: it probably isn’t) Maybe it’s that you are convinced that the College experience is a non-negotiable part of your social and emotional development. (Then maybe you’ve been watching too many movies). Do you feel that College is the best way to learn what you need to know for your life? How do you know that?

I’m not trying to discourage you from College (I have a Masters degree and am on track to start pursuing my Doctorate), but I want you to really determine why you want to fork over $60k, $80k, or even well-over $100,000 at this point in your life for four years of study at the particular institution you want to attend. Some of my most successful friends are well-educated; others of my most successful friends didn’t even finish College (and, some of the latter ones are—gulp—making much more money than the former).

Before you head back to those hallowed halls, ask yourself why you are going, and then don’t let yourself off the hook but force yourself to come up with answers that make sense. Maybe attending that elite school is just the ticket for your future—but maybe throwing yourself into a life experience, a couple of jobs, an internship, a missions encounter or a year or two at community college will help you discover your life path before you make a house-sized investment.  And if you haven’t already, you need to pray about it (and if you have, you need to keep praying).

Ultimately, if you have the capacity for education, I really think you should get it. And I’m certainly not suggesting embracing slacker-hood and waiting around until you figure out the meaning of life. But your educational path may be different than “everybody else”. And from what I’ve seen, some of the more unique pathways (as long as they are also disciplined pathways) produce some of the best and brightest students who go on to really impact the world.