A new year means a new start. Let’s remind ourselves — and our students about what really matters.
The reason schools exist The goal of education is for students to learn more about themselves and the world around them. This includes the learning of facts, the understanding and invention of ideas, how to get along well with others, and the challenges we face as residents of the planet.
Colleges exist for these same reasons Ask any college graduate about their experience, and they will tell you about the friends they met, the moments that changed their life, and how much they learned about themselves. Most headlines insist college is just a place for job preparation, that paying more for tuition than you’ll realize in pay differential is a waste of time. Evidently not.
Not everyone needs to go to college Future barbers are just as important as future doctors, and they don’t need to go to college, any more than future doctors need to go to barber school. On the other hand, if they’d like a bigger look at the world around them without having to leave the continent, a year or two of college could do that in ways few other things can. They won’t make more money as barbers, but they might be, you know, more fulfilled.
You don’t have to choose College or Not in high school No matter what’s next, success in high school lies in doing three things:
Take the most challenging and interesting classes you can, and be a good student So do the homework, take notes, review your homework and your notes, and at the end of each study session, ask yourself, how does this relate to what I learned yesterday?
Challenge yourself with learning activities outside the classroom A job, clubs, the youth group at your place of worship, sports teams—there are lots of ways to be an active participant and student of life. Find the stuff you love, and don’t be afraid to try new things. You were a really bad walker when you started. You got better.
Volunteer your time Everyone can do something to make the world a better place, including you. Share your time, share your talents, be a listening ear, coach a fourth-grade basketball team. You are needed.
Explore colleges Not every college requires four years of living in a dorm, and things like size, location, who else goes there, and the classes they offer make colleges very different from one another. Investigation is part of all growth, including the times when you conclude “Thanks, but I’ll pass”. But investigation comes before conclusion.
Applying to college is generally not rocket science The average student who goes to college applies to 5, all within 150 miles from home. The application for each of these colleges usually takes about 20 minutes to complete, without help from anyone. If the application is more complex, free online resources can help you put the pieces together, and most schools have counselors that will do the same thing.
College costs money In the 1950s, average college tuition cost as much as a new Chevrolet. Today, average college tuition costs—as much as a new Chevrolet. Expensive colleges usually offer help with paying for those who need it. Make sure you apply to a couple of colleges you like that are affordable, and you’ll be fine. Going into debt to go to college is a choice, not a mandate. You can still get a degree, buy pizza once a week, and start your career debt free.
That’s why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Welcome back.
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