Why College Would Have Been My Biggest Mistake

Ever since I was a little girl, two things were certain in my mind.

First, I was going to be a writer.

Second, I wasn’t going to college.

I never enjoyed school, and never saw the point for it. Even now, I still feel like I wasted a lot of time doing reports with content I would never remember and solving equations I could use a calculator for.

I was homeschooled. My school structure was much less strict than those in public school. I did my work wherever I liked, instead of being confined to a desk. The thought of going from this style to school to something even more restrictive was unbearable.

As I got older, I became more steadfast in my decision.

A few friends I saw going to college made the right decision. Others seemed to just be doing it because it was what they were “supposed” to do.

The idea that college is the only way to get a high-paying job is outdated. We live in an ever-changing, rapidly growing society that requires different skill sets than what school teaches us.

While there is much wisdom to be gained from our elders, and many will argue that 55 isn’t even that old, they still undeniably grew up in a different time, with different priorities and different technology. Though these professors are knowledgeable in their areas of expertise, and many probably care about the success of their students, can they really prepare us for today’s job market?

Sure, if you’re into science, engineering, medicine, or anything that actually requires a higher education, by all means go to college and learn what you need to know. If you want to be pretty much anything else, don’t waste your time.

I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I also knew I didn’t want to go to college. What was college going to teach me that I couldn’t learn myself? Why would I sit in a classroom and be lectured, when I can browse the internet and find thousands of writing tips more useful and applicable? Why would I want someone to tell me to write this specific thing in this specific format and with this many pages?

The answer is, I don’t.

I’ve had people try to convince me to go to college. The only reason they can really come up with is “It’ll help you out when looking for jobs. It’ll give you a boost.” It’ll help me out? Give me a boost? What does that mean? Why is that worth four years of my life?

That’s why I’m so happy to be in Praxis. Instead of pointing to a piece of paper that says “She can write well” I can point to the writing I’ve actually done so others can decide for themselves if I have what they want.