protests in hong kong and affects on the region

18 19 February 2021

IS COLLEGE WORTH IT?/ SHOULD YOU TAKE A GAP YEAR?

What’s next after high school?

ashley stewart|staff writer Viraj Khetan|staff writer

College has always been the traditional next step after high school. But while college tuition has skyrocketed tremendously over the years, the education provided has had little improvement. It has been discussed among high schoolers and academic scholars if college is really worth the cost, or if it’s even essential for a successful career. It is no secret that college tuition is becoming more and more expensive each year. Public college tuition from 1986-2017 has increased about 125.7% while the average middle-class family income has only risen by 10%. The US has one of the highest tuition prices in the developed world. A lot of students argue that they should be able to attend college based on their academics and talent rather than on their financial situation. Most students attend college in-state due to the less expensive tuition and the ability to save money by staying home. This, however, enables colleges to maintain high tuition prices. It creates less competition for colleges, making them less likely to lower costs or improve the quality of education. Due to the rise in tuition, college graduates have to deal with years of paying off student loans. The majority of high school graduates underestimate the amount of time it will take to pay off their student loan debt. Cengage, an educational and technology company, conducted a survey with college graduates. The survey conveyed that most believe that it will take about 6 years to pay off their student loan debt. However, studies show that it most likely will take about 20 years - for some, it might even be 30 years. However, there are many benefits from attending college. First and foremost, college better prepares young adults for independence. It serves as ground to be able to make mistakes and helps develop critical skills to better prepare young minds for their futures. Furthermore, it is very common to have a college degree nowadays. It has now become an expectation by many employers, for their employees to have a degree. No matter what that degree specializes in. In addition, studies also have shown that college graduates earn higher salaries. The average college graduate earns around 71% to 136% more than high school graduates. The college experience sets students up with an array of opportunities to prepare them for their futures. From internships, career services, job fairs, and job shadowings, colleges allow their students to really explore career options. Along with the advantages of having these opportunities, colleges enable students to network with people involved in the workforce of their interest. They learn from knowledgeable professors, listen to guest speakers of desired fields, and meet business connections. The connections students build could lead to potential job opportunities and give them real-world experience, which could set them apart from the competition in the workforce.

photo coursey by Matt Ragland on Unsplash

With that being said, is a great way many are wondering to translate if there is a way one that textbook could enhance the knowledge cited benefits of col- into real-world lege while softening experience. its negative reper- Performing cussions. Because of this, a growing number of photo courtesy by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash meaningful tasks in a field of interest will high school seniors are now considering the option of taking a give students the exposure and development they need to recgap year, as opposed to the traditional college route. ognize potential career paths, build a network of relationships, A gap year is a period of time, typically taken before college and deepen soft skills such as leadership, communication, and enrollment, in which students have the opportunity to take a time management. break from academics. During this break, students are encouraged to discover themselves, find their interests, and uncover Volunteer their passions through various activities as they prepare for Nothing feels better than giving back to your community. their next life stage. And although some activities aren’t appro- Providing your time and skills to help others is an excellent way priate yet amid COVID-19, there are still plenty of activities to to implement a productive gap year. Aside from meeting new consider that are both safe and beneficial. people or building professional skills useful in the workforce, volunteering gives the opportunity to gain a new perspective on Get a Job one’s life. Being able to immerse yourself within a new culture Getting a job is a great way to understand more about yourself while contributing toward a meaningful cause is invaluable, and your interests. College students often speculate on which which makes volunteerism even more beneficial to students. classes to take, evaluating their majors based on further ca- Volunteering can even improve one’s mental health - according reer paths. But getting a job and gaining work experience can to Greater Good Magazine, “Those who volunteered at least fast-track the speculation process, turning blind judgment into once a month reported better mental health than participants informed decision-making. Working can enhance your back- who volunteered infrequently or not at all.” ground knowledge, help to move further in a field, and strength- For many students, high school was a rigorous and demanding en hard skills such as writing, management, or computer pro- journey. While college tuition is yet another burden to stress gramming. about, having the time to pause and reflect could give students a better insight of direction, making the transition smoother to Get an Internship college, work, and life ahead. Learning concepts in the classroom will only take you so far. Getting an internship or joining an experiential learning program