May 23, 2010
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Are you College Material?
I was just reading an article that mentioned that some students who struggle in college might be better off without college.
College students tend to make more money over a lifetime and they have a “lower risk of unemployment.” But some people feel like they never fit in a college environment. Here is the link: Link
Are you college material?
Comments (134)
jesus never went to college and look how he ended up.
@anduel - dead on a cross?
College isn’t for everyone – I’ve seen the lifestyle ruin some people.
Yes. Hence, why I go to college.
If the economy takes another downward turn college degrees won’t really matter…
I hope I am since I’m in college and need a college degree to achieve the job I want (music teacher). Not exactly fitting in with people but I am doing well in classes so I guess I am.
Sure.
I have one friend who started off in college. He’s incredibly bright, but he hated the environment and the professors. He dropped out after 1 1/2 years. he’s now working as a waiter part-time and is a videographer for weddings, but he’s happy.
College is not for everyone.
More likely not, but at the moment I don’t have much choice.
@mrcolorful - Colleges produce almost nothing of any value. The only reason graduates earn more is because of how idiotic we are as human beings.
Let me guess: You never finished college yourself.
just graduated college! woo!
@puella_sapiens216 - AGREED very much with the last sentence.
i have good grades and i know i could get in, but i don’t want to go to college. i hate school and i hate people. and honestly, i don’t have a clue what i want to do with my life. why spend thousands of dollars on something i’m not even sure about?
I loooove college. But I know several people who do not/did not do well in its environment, despite being just as intelligent (if not more) than I am.
I thought I was, but I ended up dropping out three times.
I will find out very soon ^^
I wasn’t at 18…30 was the age for me. Now, I’m about to turn 38 and begin my masters. We all move on different schedules.
I don’t think college is for everyone.
I graduated with my Associates in Business last November, I’m currently ending my first two classes of my Bachelors degree in Psychology/Child Development. Then I’ll go on to my Masters most likely.
@CallMeQuell - not everyone can make it as a graphic arts major.
A good point to add, also, is that the amount you spend on college now-a-days doesn’t equal out to the amount of education you recieve, I believe. I want to go back to college, but I can’t justify spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to obtain the degrees I want for the profession I want, when it may take me 20+ years to pay it off. Bye bye retirement, in that case!
I know I’m intelligent enough, but the types of things I’d like to do with my life really don’t justify going thousands of dollars into debt just to get a degree.
I never could afford college, which is why I never went. I love learning, but I’m not sure whether I’d do well in that environment or not.
Plus, I’ve met plenty of people who have thought that I was an English major, after talking with me. That’s good enough for me for now.
College agreed with me rather well, even if it took me a bit of getting used to.
@anduel - Whether or not I’ll make it is an entirely different question altogether.
@CallMeQuell - which should be answered prior to spending four years in college.
An alternative to college for some might be a trade school. It would still lend some legitimacy to the person’s application but not bog them down in things they may not be right for… someone who wants to be a truck driver probably doesn’t need to write a Philosophy term paper on Kant’s “Prolegomena to any Future Metaphysics.’
We could possibly learn a lesson from the Europeans on this (and I rarely give a damn what the Europeans think about anything), but trade schools are held in much higher esteem throughout Europe.
I’m okay, I’m not too social but I have my girl friend who I go to the gym with, some guys my boyfriend and I know from high school who introduced me to more friends, and my boyfriend of course.
there’s plenty of different places to fit into at college, you just gotta find the one that works for you
@soyeahthatswhathappened - exactly. Once you have an idea… then work toward accomplishing it. Don’t waste $$ in the process.
College = Drinking
Me = Likes to drink.
@WordsandThoughts - You just made my night.
I have the drive, that’s all it takes. As far as the money, not really… but that’s what loans are for.
@wtf_turmoill - Woohoo =]
everyone has their own way.
i had a fantastic university experience..heard a master’s is quite different, but we’ll see..
College isn’t for everyone.
I also think a lot of college graduates have unrealistic expectations for salary given their major – mostly liberal art majors… There’s nothing wrong with major in liberal arts, but don’t expect to be making any money after 4 years lol.
Oh and I liked college a lot. I’m taking grad courses now, part time while I work.
@soyeahthatswhathappened - my sentiments exactly.
My college seems to think I am college material.
I’m not college material
I’m not college material but I gutted my way through it anyway. You don’t have to suck nuts or kiss ass to get a degree in engineering. You just have to be able to do the math.
I tried studying theology at a Catholic U. I got kicked out for not towing the party line. Same thing nearly happened in my poly sci and econ classes at Secular U.
Liberal arts is all about conforming not about performing.
I sure hope I am seeing as though I graduate next year…
No. I’m there now, and it sucks. I do not belong here.
But with the economy, I have no fucking choice.
I really wish some of the college students who waste my time as a teacher would realize that college isn’t for everyone.
And yes, I was (and still am) college material. But I think there are plenty of options out there and college shouldn’t be pushed on everyone.
It took me eight years to graduate high school. I think that answers the question.
I did fine in undergrad. Grad school is kicking my butt!
Odd question. I’m torn on this issue… The job market is saturated and needs to grow. You learn more in college that just what is in your classes…
Yes. I am excellent college material. I am awesome at learning and discussing what I’ve learned. I have pretty good people skills and I love meeting new friends. I’m interested in almost anything (except the hard sciences…haha, I’m a people person) and curious enough to maintain that interest over a long period of time.
I went to college for one year. When I found out I had to leave, I cried like a baby.
One day… one day…
~V
I am currently in grad classes at my age!
Pretty nice when the professor looks at me and says, “you remember those days!!!” 
oh lawd i better be.
I’m not college material, I’m university material
I believe I am. I’ll find out in a year and a half though.
i’m in college. i love college. college is awesome.
therefore, college is for me.
and then some!!
Hope I am college material I’m about to graduate. It was hard, but I don’t know a college student that doesn’t think it’s challenging.
I’m pretty “meh” on it. I’m graduating with my associates in business in June, but I doubt I’ll go back to get my bachelors. For me, and maybe it’s just my school, but College is just like high school on steroids. I sit around with the same people learning the same shit. Maybe it’s because I’m in business and I’ve always been in business classes or had a mind for it so it’s just easy for me, but bugh.
On that note, in my History 101 class tomorrow (needed another elective) we’re having a test over the continents and oceans. Seriously. And most people didn’t already know them. Sigh.
I would consider myself college material despite a rocky start to my college career.
I dont think the issue is so much fitting in, because you can go to community college or live at home and commute if that’s the case. I think the real issue is kids who aren’t intellectually ready or able to handle a college education who are forced into it.
It would probably be way more beneficial for people like that to enter the workforce or go to trade school rather than spend $20,000 for a year or two of college before dropping/failing out.
I am now (at age 50) but was not when I was 18. I think a lot of people should go to work or join the service or peace corps and postpone college until their late 20s or early 30s. The maturity factor. I think it would be better for them and for society at large.
nope
College is for fags.
@Tallman - The Peace Corps? Are you joking?
Lemme get back to you on that.
I have a 4.0, so I’m assuming so. That doesn’t mean I like it, or don’t think it’s a bit ridiculous.
my 3.75 gpa says BOOYAH!
Fuck. No.
I hated university…it sucked my soul among other things. It’s basically like high school but costs more…and I hated high school and didn’t really fit in there either.
I could go if I wanted, but a bunch of pointless essays for a degree that I’ll probably only use for a few years isn’t worth being up to my eyeballs in debt.
Right now I’m getting 5% interest on a CD with money that I would have spent on college, and can now use for a house or something. And I’m working 2 part-time slightly higher than minimum wage jobs.
And I don’t know what I’m going to do with my life anyway, so I wouldn’t know in what to get a college degree.
nope, I like my job, and if I lose it, I can always find one somewhere else.
People always need their hair cut.
if i had to get up in the morning,,,, no…
besides that,,, ears is gonna redistribute me some wealth,,, aint he??
college is tough, but I’m glad I finished and got my degree
No. But i’m doing it anyway to do what i’m supposed to do in life.
Am deffintly not college material, i personally flunked out of college
It’s been decent to me. College is a lot like other things in life, what you make of it.
majority of those currently in college either don’t want to be in college, or are simply not prepared. both parents/guardians and society itself push freshly-graduated high school students into college regardless of what is in their best interest. i can’t even begin to tell you how many of my peers are only in college because their parents want them to “get a good job” or “do something with their lives”, but they themselves don’t even want to be there.
I’m graduating soon, so I guess so.
sorry, i’m a little confused.
does ‘college’ mean university in the states?
I hope so.
yes, why i’m in college.
@x_harrii -
Yes, it does. I’m not sure when the split in terminology happened, but there it is.
yea college was fun and challenging. Graduated last year with a degree in computer science.
I learned at an early age that hanging around the art dept= free, easy lays.
Maybe I would know if I were there…
*depressed*
Not anymore!
Hopefully for the rest of my unnatural life.
@EilisAngelos - ahhhh thanks so much!
I had a love/hate relationship with college:hate- I have learned bunch of useless crap,love- I had a lot of time to figure out what I REALLY wanted to study.By the time I finished college I knew what I wanted to do graduate school wise
So I guess it was worth it after all, BECAUSE I LOVED GRAD SCHOOL!
I don’t think I’m college material. :[ But I do well on my AP exams so I must be. I think for me its just luck.
I am college material.
I think a key to being a successful college student is a willingness to learn a variety of subjects. A bachelor’s degree isn’t job training — it’s an all around education and if you’re not interested in that then college isn’t the place for you.
I need college; I can’t imagine how else I would learn my major (physics). Plenty of people make it work in the business world without a degree, but nobody’s working with with a particle accelerator without a formal, rigorous education.
College agreed with me rather well, even if
it took me a bit of getting used to
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I don’t imagine myself fitting in or not. College may be difficult for some, which is why those kids don’t belong at top tier schools. Overall though, I don’t think it’s something anyone should be missing out on. It’s much more than just putting in 4 years of work. It’s growth and change, learning more about yourself as cliched as it may sound.
Not everyone belongs in college. There are probably too many people in college right now. For many people, other kinds of work, specialized training, trade school or apprenticeships are more worthwhile than college.
I would add that not everyone should go to college immediately after high school. Some people, I discovered by experience, are far too immature at that point. They might be better off doing some kind of internship, service program, or other work before heading to college.
@AmeliaHart - YAY liberal arts majors. They are a bundle of LoLs
but it doesn’t matter, most girl liberal arts are MRSes anyway XP
No college isn’t for everyone. But I like my doctors, teachers, software designers, and electrical engineers to have some kind of training. There are a lot of jobs you can do without a college degree. But there are a lot of jobs we need people to do that require some kinds of special training. College is one way to get training, but I wish the other ways, like internships and trade schools and special programs got more attention for people that don’t feel like they want college. But if you want to be a doctor go to school for that. XD
@x_harrii - yes, university is what you call schools with multiple colleges. I go to a University, but I had to get accepted by the engineering college to become an engineer. And I can get kicked out of my college but not the university.
There are smaller schools that do not have multiple colleges and they are called college and not university
@splinter1591 - “Bundle of Lols?”
But what about boy liberal art majors? It’s the reverse for my boyfriend and me; I majored in electrical engineering and he majored in history. Though now he’s going to law school and I’m working on getting my masters in electrical engineering… So I guess we’ll even each other out.
I had a little bit of a hard time in college. But I believe it’s the school I chose that wasn’t a fit for me not that I wasn’t college material. I look forward to going on to complete my Master’s and some day my PhD.
I went to college, but had a hell of a hard time fitting. I thought college would bring me out of my shell, but I would argue the stuff I’ve experienced has put me deeper in. Sure, I’ve made many acquaintances, but my social life was actually pretty miniscule.
On the other hand, I’m about to graduate with a 3.6 GPA major in math with minors in german and economics from a very reputable school. I guess you may think this is good, but I don’t really have any real job prospects.
I’m going to college for Dietetics (basically Nutritionist with a license). I’ve always LOVED natural medicine, and I hope that Dietetics can help me get there. I’ve always wanted to help people stay healthy, and this is a way I can do it. I love helping people and I love seeing their smiley, happy faces when they finally feel good about themselves. (I forgot to mention, Being Healthy + Being In Shape = Personal Happiness)
Now, my boyfriend doesn’t want to go to college, and that’s fine. He hated high school and hated his professors — I don’t blame him for not wanting to continue school. He’s proud of me for going so I can make more money.
Basically, some people should go to college, others shouldn’t. It depends on how you react to the college lifestyle. I enjoy it — the work is hard, but I enjoy it. Sean hates it. I think the best way to to give it a try is concurrent enrollment — get a taste of it in high school. That can offer a small taste of something much bigger.
@AmeliaHart - idk i just think they are funny. I don’t know how they expect to party so much and actually get a job
but i go to an engineering school, so our liberal arts majors are a joke XP
@splinter1591 - My engineering classmates felt the same way. Did you have a heirarchy amongst disciplines as well? It was mostly determined by how many would get knocked out…..
vocational training is just as good as college
I’m not college material. I prefer real world experience to classroom lectures.
Besides, I’ve learned more in 1 year with a library card than I did in the two years I was enrolled. So I have some serious doubts about the educational value a college education actually provides.
I suppose I’ll be finding out in a few months.
Even after everything, I still make it in each time by whatever test.
I’m not online material, however.
Never again.
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I certainly hope I am college material since I am going to college very very soon!
Maybe I’m too idealistic but I look at my college education as a way for me to become a more knowledgeable, well-rounded person. Not just as a way to get a job.
I’m going to be attending college in the fall; a lot of my family friends think it would be good for me. I sure hope so.
I guess I am… I just did my best and now I’m a graduate.
@HappyLemming -@JosephParsons - @EilisAngelos - @beautifullymindfull - @soyeahthatswhathappened - I think he may have a point.
A piece of paper doesn’t specify whether you know how to do a job or not. Most degrees are so general (business adminstration for example) that it is hard to find out exactly what you need to get to where you want to go. Also, if colleges wasted less time on bullshit classes (ex PE or the equivalent, math for an art major, art/theatre/music apprecation and all the other classes people just “take because they have to”) and focused on job placement and work habits, that the degrees offered, would mean a lot more.
Not my local college’s material, because it SUCKS.
I’m dropping out and working for a while so I can afford to go to a better community college.
@SlackerSociety - Yeah, I’m an art major and they require me to go to Trig or equivalent at my college, which is completely stupid. If I had gone to the art college of my choice, I’d be taking math like, “Math for Graphic Design Majors”, or something actually pertaining to what I’m majoring in.
I feel it’s pretty useless to make us take Health classes that repeat what we learned in high school according to state standards, or in my case, cut back and downsize so much that I can’t even take the classes I need to finish my degree, since they aren’t offered anymore, and the degree requirements haven’t changed.
@Alyxandri - I sort of agree, but what about the people who just want to learn what they need for a job? I have to admit that I’ve only taken three classes in my three years in college that have actually taught me anything. The rest have either been taught so badly, or were so behind where a lot of people are educationally that they were a waste of my money and effort.
@Mangonese - It seems like most people feel that way which is incredible to me because I think I have learned something in all of the college-level classes that I’ve taken. Maybe I’ve just had unusually good teachers. Or maybe I was just very open to the experience…
I don’t think a university or community college is good for everyone. Trade schools have their place too.
I’m a geeeeeek.
@Alyxandri - I’m going to a sucky school. The three classes I took were in my first year, before all the budget cuts and inner-political drama started on campus. I remember being excited and loving school then, but now it just sucks, which is why I’m hoping finding a new school will help that. I liked school before it was terrible.
I’m currently in college earning my Bachelors. It’s more difficult now than when I was in college before earning my A.A. degree because I’ve been having to take a lot of online courses, which are particularly boring to me. I find myself not comprehending the material as much and procrastinating a little more. I prefer the social atmosphere and group learning that classes on campus have to offer. I just can’t wait until the fall term when I’ll be able to start taking more on-campus courses.
@Mangonese - Exactly, what’s the use? all it does is put in students that dont care about the class, and im pretty sure the teacher would much rather be teaching their chosen field of knowledge with students who care about the class.
Probably not. It’s been a huge struggle for me.
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that sounds like bs. there are thousands of different colleges out there. i’m sure you can find some people at one of them with whom you can fit in. and even if you don’t, you can still make it through without fitting in with other people.
I don’t think I am. I mean sure, I have a 3.8 gpa, but I’ve been miserable during my three years at college. Blame it on being the loner of the school. Someone who despises group work and presentations with a passion.
I’m actually considering transferring to a trade school. People think I’m nuts for this, but whatever.
being that i’m starting college in the fall, i want to think that it will work out?
college is just another structured environment to learn…but at the same time they try to make it unstructured enough to “explore.” but some people seem to have an easier time doing this in a place other than a college environment.
but nowadays, i guess it’s just part of the social norm. it’s all good.
I hate it. It’s taking me forever, but I have to finish or I can’t even really get a job as a receptionist in NYC. The good news is that once I get my degree, a receptionist in NYC can make even more than 30,000 a year which wouldn’t get me a place in Manhattan, but would definitely cover my apartment in Queens. : )
Honestly, whoever gives the advice to someone that they “aren’t college material” probably never went to college and doesn’t understand the importance of it. College is the new high school, and if you don’t have a degree (even if it’s in basket-weaving or whatever the heck), you might as well just go ahead and sign up for McDonalds.
Having said that, I felt college was almost completely useless because nothing I learned academically was really applicable to what came after. Still, it taught me study skills, organizational skills, communication skills, group skills, and most importantly taught my “how” to learn. Some people think that learning a textbook cover-to-cover is an impossible task. I used to think so. But you just get used to it and find that you can learn SEVERAL textbooks cover-to-cover in a given year… it’s not that I’m any smarter.. it’s just practice.
So basically, because I have more practice in “learning” I can walk into any job with a set of rules, regulations, or procedures and pick it up 10x faster than the average HS grad… and I’ll have other skills as well.
apparently, lol! I have run out of degrees to pursue though!
Considering I will be graduating in less than a year with my Bachelors in Biomedical Science (with a minor and certification in Spanish), I guess I’m “college material”. I feel like I’ve struggled, but honestly, I really haven’t. I’m just in a majorly competitive major and my GPA is low compared to many of them, so, I feel like I’m behind, but, really, compared to a lot of the country and a lot of other majors, my GPA is relatively good. *shrugs*
I HATE college, but I always have loved school… so what does this mean? I want to be successful, but nothing about this new environment is attractive to me…
I made it through 4 years of university, but my question for myself is whether I was ready to be in college when I started, at age 18. I would’ve been a lot more ready mentally if I had a “gap year” in between, either for work, another year or high school or something entirely different. It wasn’t into I was in the middle of university that I felt like I was “in the game”. =S Or…maybe I’m just slow to adjust lol.
I think people have college potential but more often than not they go for the wrong reasons, or they’re in the wrong programs, or they just don’t realize how different it is from high school and how much more you have to put into it. (Although not always true. ^^)
I KNOW I am. College will be easier for me than living at home. I take care of myself and my sisters, clean the entire house weekly, work 20+ hours a week, and take college classes. I can’t wait for college. Freedom!
Interesting article. There should definitely be some other option for high school graduates, who don’t want to continue their education. College is what you make of it. Some people get by with decent grades while drinking every other night, while others may hit the books. I think it depends on the attitude one has when going to college that makes them college material or not.
I agree that college isn’t for everyone. I’ve met a lot of people who have become successful just because they were at the right place at the right time, or their work ethic paid off, or they know the right people. Plus, you don’t necessarily need a college degree to start a business, or to own one.
We live in a college town and we’re always amazed as to how these students even got accepted into the university because they don’t know that when you make a delivery order and want to pay by credit card, you have to give the credit card number in addition to showing the card upon the arrival of food.
A lot of people just go to college because that’s what’s acceptable in today’s society; not necessarily because they have a distinct goal.
Also, if you’re going away to college to find freedom, good luck. You’re only going to find debt and you’ll exude so much independence that when you finish school, your parents may expect that you’re independent enough to NOT come back home to live for free.
I think I am.
no… I just can’t make myself care about subjects that don’t interest me and will never become useful later in life. so when I was going to college, I would find any excuse not to go to class and would end up getting a crappy grade in all the boring classes (I had student loans, my parents weren’t paying for it. maybe I would have tried harder then… oh, and I went to a really cheap community college, not much to pay off afterward).
plus, I really don’t know what I would do for a career if I had to choose. I like art, but I don’t expect to make a living off of painting ’cause I’m just not THAT good or THAT creative. and if I did paint for a living, I wouldn’t need a degree for it because I’d do freelance stuff, and taking classes would just be forcing me to practice more. I can do that for free.
I went to college and grad school, so did my husband.
When we were raising our children it wasn’t a question of “if” they would go to college, but “where” they would go to college.
94% of their graduating class went on to 4 year universities.
“College students tend to make more money over a lifetime and they have a
“lower risk of unemployment.”.”
that statement is nothing but a marketing ploy used for the benefit of colleges.
I went to college part-time for two years, just taking basics, and got bored and left. Now I have a small business doing what I want.
my sister took a few classes and now she has a job she kinda likes, and she’s a writer trying to get published. she’s doing fine without a degree. what she really wants to do is be a full-time writer, which has nothing to do with college degrees.
my dad went to trade school and he’s the best pressman at his workplace, and he likes his job.
my brother went to a school to take a bench jewelry program and now he’s a jeweler and also trying to get to where he can just be a writer. he has a jeweler’s certificate but not a degree, and they want to make him assistant manager.
EVERYONE says “you should get a degree ’cause you’ll make more money”. but none of those people care about what really matters, which is doing what you love enough to be really good at it and get paid for it. who cares if you make more money with a degree if you’re not happy with what you’re doing with it?
besides, in reality most people don’t get jobs in their field with their degree, mostly because employers only actually care about experience.
I am glad I went to college, not for the ‘education’ which I’ve mostly forgotten, but for the people I met and the friends I made, which led to meeting my current friends and boyfriend and getting involved with some ministries I like.
Yep. I’m in college right now, actually. :] I like it, for the most part.
well i got a bachelors of science degree so i guess i am