Benefits Of Getting A Higher Education

College years are commonly seen as a time of life for learning how to think; David Foster Wallace disagrees in his Kenyon commencement speech. Although Wallace acknowledges that a typical commencement speech consists of uplifting messages about the human value of a liberal arts education, he instead expresses what a liberal arts education means to him. Rather than a liberal arts education teaching students how to think for themselves, Wallace instead expresses that a liberal arts education teaches students to exercise control over how and what to think. To clarify, he explains, “it means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning

In the last decade, students and parents alike have begun to question the effectiveness of receiving a college education. Stories of students graduating college with outstanding student loans, being unable to find a job, or feeling overqualified for a position continually increase. In the same manner, the number of students apprehensive about refraining from entering the workforce for an additional four years while simultaneously spending thousands of dollars for an education that in the end may not assure them a job with an adequate income, increases. The issue then is to determine whether or not the cost of college is worth the outcome.

While I understand why David Foster Wallace makes his argument, I believe that college does prepare you for life and gives you the knowledge and skills to become a well-adjusted person. It is the college experience that allows a person to really learn about themselves. I do not believe that anything is wrong with being self-centered and focusing on yourself. Being consumed with yourself does not necessarily mean that you have no awareness of what going on in the world or have limited ability to show compassion for others. In “Kenyon Commencement Address”, David Foster Wallace argues that as long as a person tries to adjust their natural settings and alter the selfish thoughts they have, they can be considered as more adjusted individual`s. Specifically, he wants students to know that learning what to think and how to think is important to becoming a well-adjusted person and it’s not something you learn in college. Some of Wallace’s arguments I disagree with are thinking outwardly, the average person is self-centered, and being well-adjusted.

A college education is proven to increase an individual 's earnings, however, women’s earnings are still not as much as men’s, even when they have the same degree (Patten, 2015).

What we get out of the college experience, we use in our day to day lives. Even the things we think aren’t important or useful end up becoming helpful. The material we learn in college is fundamental when it comes jobs and life in general. We are taught to make choices. We are taught how the real world works, and how to turn our education into our way of life. “…the really significant education in thinking that we’re supposed to get in a place like this isn’t really about the capacity to think, but rather about the choice of what to think about.” (Wallace 199).

Why do we work hard in school and attempt to get good grades? Why do we believe that you have to do an outstanding job in high school? The answer is because the majority of us want to go to college and hopefully pursue a career that we'd enjoy. So, why is it that just 65% of us obtain a college degree. The main factor is that college costs are soaring. According to reports the cost of a college degree has increased by 1,120 percent in just 30 years. Consequently, this has lead to difficulties for families to pay for the immense cost of college. Therefore, the government should invest more money to make college education free because students leave school with an unreasonable amount of debt. It also leads to a more prosperous country, and

As the price to attend college increases throughout the years many young adults are experiencing increasing difficulty in being able to pay for such an endeavor and many more are beginning to question whether or not it’s worth the price due to the faltering of the economy. The price tag may be the most common concern about getting a college education but another important factor that many students consider when applying for college is how much time they will need to devote to school. Many prospective students think that the time spent in a college math class is a waste when they are majoring in the arts. This results in many students deciding against getting a college education in favor for finding a source of income to support themselves and due to the lack of employment opportunities available today the decision to choose an income over an education is really a matter of survival. However, this is the beginning of a slippery slope that can easily lead to a population that is severely lacking in education which can lead to a disaster in a country where the nations populace are the ones making decisions with their vote. I believe it is time to make education not only cheaper, but more accessible to more people across the country by eliminating course requirements and majors in order to allow students to seek out an education that is tailored to the subject they are seeking to pursue. Doing so will not only result in a lower cost of college by eliminating useless and

There are many choices and paths to choose when the time comes to attend college however, a question to ask is, is it worth it? If decided to attend college, the following decision to be made revolves around an area of study one would like to pursue and the topic of study that will be available for them. Though many can further their education in different ways, a couple of ways consist of attending a four year college (private/ public) or a community college. Not going to college at all is the other alternative, but is it really a smart idea? Most adults have continuously told young students all through high school to attend college. A student’s chance of economic success in the future can be risen due to a college education. Judith Scott-Clayton, who is an assistant professor of economics and education at Teachers College at Columbia University states, “Individuals with bachelor’s degrees earn about 60 percent more than those with just a high school diploma, who in turn earn about 40 percent more than high school dropouts.” Students who seek higher education, are more likely to experience a better future and a better life. The cost of going to college may seem overwhelming at times however, the experiences and education obtained throughout college is priceless in regards to the way one interacts with others on a global basis, has a stronger job stability, and has better employment benefits.

As of today, college is no longer an option or privilege, it’s a necessity. College education is the most important education of them all because it sets in stone the rest of your life. Higher education is touted to lead to a number of benefits, including financial security and prosperous career. In fact, about 84 percent of Americans claim that a higher education is very important to get ahead in life” (Vista Success). Furthering my education is highly important in life because a college degree can dictate a lot of things such as income and job position. Getting a bachelor’s degree is the right decision for me because it’s an important asset that will give me advantages in my career such as in salary, job security, and long life

The advantages and benefits of a college education are manifold. While the most obvious benefit is the academic knowledge that is acquired, there are other intangible benefits, such as growing as an individual. In his 2013 article for the Miami Herald, Franklyn Casale states that, “It is during one’s college years that one develops a sense of self, a world view, an appreciation for the dignity of people, and an enthusiasm for the arts”. Everyone that attends college will go into their experience with different values and opinions; helping to create a melting pot of social and cultural diversity. This allows each and every college student to grow through exploring their own values and personal stance, in comparison to those

A college education is one of the most important things in life. It determines whether you will be able to follow your dreams and have a job that you are passionate about. Although some people may think that it will lead to more bad than good and that it will cost the United States a lot of money, college should be free because it is the only fair way that everyone would be able to have the same opportunity to get a good education and it will benefit, not only the students, but the nation as a whole.

As the gateway to the American middle-class shrinks and companies wrestle for top spots in the economy, employers and organizations seek the most prestigious young adults and graduates. In today’s modern society, this means that people with college degrees will land jobs that others don’t. Many citizens believe a college education is unnecessary to make a sufficient living. This might be true on some occasions, but a college education has a clear impact on your future. College might not be for everyone, but those who complete their education reap the benefits. A four-year college degree results in higher wages, lower chances of unemployment, improved credibility, and more job opportunities, so American teenagers should strive to get a

The debate of whether going to college is worth it began when the colonists founded “New College”. It was later renamed to Harvard university. Colonists produced nine colleges that are still operating today. Some of the nine colleges  are Princeton University, Yale University and Brown University. Back then, the main goal of college was to produce Christian gentleman who would take over their family businesses. Now college is for an education that will lead to a job/career. In 2015, there is 20.2 million people attending college and there is an average student debt of over $28,950. The debate is still going on today.

Students often wonder what career path they will choose in the future to support their family and have a brighter future. Some students question whether attending college is worth their time, but research suggests that students who study at postsecondary institutions will benefit in the long run. If students want to have a successful future, to be able to support their family, and have a higher income, they will need some sort of higher level education. Going to college can help with unemployment rates and increase the chances of attaining a stable career. People, such as the former United States President Barack Obama, state that children are the future of the world and they will help raise the reputation of the U.S. by getting a good

Why go to college is a question many people debate with. The majority of people are not aware of the substantial benefits of attending college. With the rapid shift in today’s economy having a college degree is a major key. According to article written by Fatou Faal, “The United States has been transformed from manufacturing-based economy to an economy based on knowledge, and the importance of a college education can be compared to that of a high school diploma education forty years ago.” The benefits of college prepare and shape you for today’s world.