College…… a higher education.
I am very fortunate and blessed that I was brought up in a family that highly values education. Both of my parents have advanced degrees and actually met while in college. When I was growing up, there was a lot of emphasis placed on succeeding in school and there was never a doubt in my mind that I would go to college. I learned very early that going to college is just "what you do" after high school. Other options were never explored. I have always known that attending college was a smart option, but I also know that many people didn’t have the same role models that I had.
Out of my group of BFF from HS, I was the only one who went to college immediately after HS graduation (several of them have since gone back). I was on the "fast track" and completed a 5 year program in 4 years by taking max loads and attending classes in the summer as well. I took one year off then went back and earned my masters degree in less than two years. And ya’ll know that five years later, I am back at it again….graduate school to get another couple of teaching endorsements added to my license.
I know that not everyone had the opportunity or chose not to attend college directly out of HS, for one reason or another. I also find that many of those people realize usually by their mid-20′s that going to college provides so many more opportunities for career advancement and financial income. Quite a few of these people do something they should be very proud of and enroll in college as non-traditional students and working adults. In my opinion, it is never too late to go to college or take classes to gain skills, knowledge and to better your employment and income opportunities
It has me thinking several questions that I hope many of you will be kind enough to share with me.
Did you go to college? If so, did you go immediately out of HS? If not out of HS, at what age did you start? Did you live on/off campus? Was college valued and encouraged by your parents or was it something that you made a choice about on your own? Did you take out loans, finance it yourself, get scholarships or have help from your parents? Did you complete your program and graduate? If not, what stopped you from finishing? Did college make a big difference in what you are currently doing career-wise?
If you did not go to college, what (if any) obstacles did you face that made you decide not to attend? Was education valued in your family? Did you have positive school experiences during k-12? Do you ever think about going back?
For those of you who are parents or plan to have kids someday, what messages do you want to give them about attending college?
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Othe TFT participants this week:
Michelle on pampering yourself
Denise on treating your pets like members of the family
Education was valued in my family. not going to college wasn’t an option. so I went to college immediately after high school. I had a fun time my first year, and my second year I partied too much and flunked out. Not letting that stop me, I took summer classes at the community college, and applied (and was accepted on a part/time basis) at my now alma mater. . . that first semester there I took 2 classes, but then flourished there, and ended up graduating only 1/2 semester behind where I would have graduated had I not flunked out. I would love to go back and get my Masters, but money is prohibiting that.
Both of my parents (actually all four of my parents including steps have college degrees, my father has a law degree in addition to his undergrad degree).
My oldest younger brother, who is 24, has a college degree, and my youngest brother will. Education is an expectation in my family.
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Went to college right outta HS but my parents wouldn’t front the money and way back then, they took parent’s income into consideration when they decided loan amounts, so I paid my own way.
That only lasted a couple years because at 19, college is pricey.
Got a F/T job and then the vicious cycle of trying to get back and paying off new life ventures kept me out.
Nowadays I think about going back and finishing, but who has the time and I think the homework would kill me.
Neither of my parents went to college but with little Max he has been pretty much told, College is your future, no choice.
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College was always encouraged to me and my sisters while growing up. My parents never went to college however made it a priority that we would all attend. I attended college right after graduation from high school. I was fortunate enough to get scholarships and help from my parents. I did have to take out student loans as well as use all savings that I had ever earned working. My summer jobs were spent on school books, phone bills and whatever other expenses I incurred. I started off living away at school. I had a few medical problems that made my first year away miserable. I was bribed by my parents to go back for my sophomore year. Still miserable I stuck it out and went back. However after that year I decided to transfer schools, live at home and commute. I also got a close to full time job for the remainder years. The combination of moving home, commuting and getting a job were the best things I could have done. It ended up taking me 5 years instead of 4 to get my degree. I hated college however I feel as though it has given me lots of opportunity and I did gain many valuable experiences, good and bad :)
wow, this was a long comments…….sorry :)
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Well, neither of my parents went to college, but college was always an expectation for me (not necessarily my sister though). I went to a private college right out of HS and graduated in 4 years. I mostly paid my own way through working, grants, scholarships and of course tons of loans. I lived on campus for 2 years, and off for 2. I felt it was a necessary part of growing up to actually live on my own. I think that college is invaluable, just for the experience alone. I grew a lot as a person those 4 years, and not to mention I made a lot of fantastic friends. Now, I don’t work outside of the home, so as far as career wise, I don’t use my education. But, I do feel priveledged and know that I am an educated person and would like to instill that into my children as they grow.
As far as our children go, well Bri and I really value education and hope that someday our children choose the same route we did. We have college funds for them and will teach them the value of learning, whatever route they take we will be proud of them, as long as they put in a solid effort.
Great topic Kristi, and I have a TFT too.
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Neither of my parents went to college. They had a baby (me)and got married right out of high school instead!! I think they assumed I would go to college as I was very bright and did well in school. But it was never really discussed.
I looked at colleges and universities toward the end of high school, but my parents couldn’t/wouldn’t help and really I couldn’t afford it. I didn’t really want to take out all those loans with no idea how I was going to pay them back.
See, I thought all along that I wanted to do something to do with child social work or child psychology, but I also knew that I wanted to have kids sooner rather than later and that it was important for me to be home with them while they were small if at all possible.
A child psychologist would require a lot of school (read: a lot of money) and I didn’t feel like I really wanted to put years and money into that, just to then take 10 years off to stay home with my kids until they were all in school. I felt like that was too much of a gap, that I’d be so out of the loop coming back into that career like that 10 years later. I felt like I would be fine with just going back to school for whatever I wanted to do when my kids got older and into school themselves. Then it would be time for me to have my career.
So I just worked. I nannied and worked in daycare and then into preschools. As the years went by I was eventually teaching preschool and running my own classroom as well as the much of the Children’s ministry at our church. Other teachers would be surprised in that I didn’t actually have my ECE degree (I did go to a few classes and courses here and there throughout my time teaching) and that I simply worked my way up to where I was through experience. I didn’t see going back to school to get that degree when I was already making what they were and had more experience than many teachers I worked with. And I knew that’s not what I wanted to do forever. I loved teaching, and it’ll be a great thing to fall back on if I ever want to, but I don’t want to go to school for it.
Now after teaching for 7 years I’ve been home with my kids for almost 5 years. I think about little programs here and there that I can get started on now and do flexible or part time work with. Mostly real estate or I’ve been especially interested in doing a Sign Language Interpretation program at a community college. I have a touch of ASL experience and I think that would be an amazing skill to have and I could use that in so many different ways… actual interpretation or working with developmental kids or whatever direction I wanted to take it.
I never regret not going to college for my education. The only part I actually regret missing out on is going away to school and the social aspect and bonding that goes on during those years.
And the fact that people assume these days that everyone went to college and I am always asked, “so where did you go to school?” Kind of awkward to say “I didn’t” sometimes.
I want to encourage education with my kids as far as they are comfortable taking it. I want them to have a dream and take the steps necessary to fulfill that. I don’t think that always necessarily means they absolutely need to go to college, although I think my husband and I both agree that it’s a smart thing to do.
I don’t think having a degree always translates into better employment or income opportunities. I know plenty of people who have a degree and can’t find a job to save their life. And one of my best friends never went to college a day in his life and now manages the whole i.t. deparment for a large company and makes over $100K. My husband has two degrees in a very technical field and has a definite cap on his earnings in the field he’s in. It’s pretty sad when you go to school for four years, earning a double degree and can still barely support your family on one income.
My lord, why don’t I just write my own lengthy post in your comments?!! Sorry for the rambling!! I’ll shut up now!
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Sorry. Just wanted to sign my novel. That was my ginormous comment. I don’t know why my info is never remembered when I comment on your blog?!
Maybe I should take that as a sign… haha!
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Good Topic!
I took college courses in highschool and a few classes here and there but have never actually graduated from college with any sort of degree. I love to learn and loved being in school and wish that I would have kept going right out of highschool. It is so hard to go back after this many years.
However, my husband did it the right way. He took a 2 week break after graduating from highschool and went right to college. He went all year long (no summer breaks) and graduated top in his class a few years later. He was completely done with college and in his career at age 22. Not many people can say that! I am so proud of him and hope that when we have kids that they will go more in his direction rather than mine.
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i went to college right after HS but never finished my degree…like a dumb ass i got a job and so then money became important to me because i had never had any being in college. NOW i am kicking myself in the ass for not finishing and knowing the money i would be making now if i had is the toughest part for me. oneil said i could go back but we are use to living on 2 incomes and therefore i couldn’t work to finish my degree. i don’t think i could do homework and all the studying required to finish with high honors like i want at this point with my kids being so young…so for now i suck it up to a bad past decision and when my kids get older i WILL GO BACK AND FINISH. that is a goal i want to set for myself…
great topic and thanks for this because I am doing a scrap page about it!!
*muah*
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Heather, I knew that was your post before I even read it. I saw the 10 paragraphs HAHA! :)
Ok… my story. I don’t remember my parents ever encouraging college, but I don’t remember ever thinking I’d do anything different. I just knew I’d go to college. I wanted to be a vet, and of course college is needed. Well, I ended up being a teacher. I funded my own way through school (with $50k in student loans gaaaag!) and I now can’t find an actual TEACHING job in the area we live in. The job I work at now requires your teaching degree, so I guess in a way I am using it, but not the way I wanted to.
Do I regret it? Sometimes. When I think about how much $ we’re going to pay over the course of our “younger years” I get depressed. When I think about how we could afford a much nicer house, or a cleaning person or a brand new car for the next 20 years, it makes me think “What the hell!” But, in the end, I know that had I not gone to college I’d be working at some crappy job and not have a degree to fall back on. I figure its fine to work part time now, but when my kids are older or I want/absolutely need to work full time, I at least have my degree and don’t have to worry about obtaining it while managing a house, family, kids etc.
My husband, on the other hand, did not go to college out of high school. He actually never graduated h.s… he got his GED. He began working for his company at 18 (or maybe 19) and he’s JUST now realizing that if he wants to advance in the company he needs to get at least a 2 year degree. So, he’s taking classes part time (this is his second year) for CAD engineering (Computer Aided Drafting… orrrr…something like that). His 2 year degree is going to take him 3 or 4 years, but it’ll be worth it. Its hard on both of us, though, as he’s gone 2 nights a week and then he has homework on top of his full time job and spending time with Porter. Which leaves little time for “us” time.
Which leads to Porter… and baby #2. They WILL be encouraged to go to college out of high school. At least begin general classes and explore different career paths. I know a degree isn’t always necessary and that there are people who get lucky and fall into positions and climb their way to the top, but its such a gamble… you may end up like Ryan and get cornered into a job that you’re good at and no one wants to advance you because you a) don’t have a degree and b) they don’t have anyone who knows what you know to fill your spot. So, college will definitely be encouraged. I am just nauseas at the thought of how we’ll help them finance it. I hate the thought of my kids having to pile up on student loans, but I can’t imagine how we’ll ever have the money to put aside for them while we’re paying $400/month on my loans for the next 20 years.
Wow! Look at MY novel of a comment HAHA!
Btw.. I did a TFT today. On Chiropractors.
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College was not something that was ever discussed in my household. However my brother and I both ended up going to college. Noah went right after highschool and has an engineering degree from U of M. I waited a while because I had basically graduated highschool by sleeping with my teachers (ha) and had some poor grades. Which was really sad considering I started out in gifted education programs. I liked to party more. Anywho…I grew up. Thankfully did not end up dead or in prison, got my shit togethor and went to school. I completed my associates first and then went back for my bachelors. I am considering law school currently. Noah and I both paid for our own educations and I cuurently owe about $40,000. BARF. College is not an option for my kids…it is a REQUIREMENT!!!
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I went to community college right out of high school. One year full time (I paid for it myself with the help of some financial aide), then I got a full time job on a swing shift (3:30pm to 1:30am M-Th) and scaled back to 1 or 2 classes per term. I ended up dropping out before I got my associates degree.
I love learning new things…and I would love to go back to school someday. But…for what? I have no idea. NO clue what I would want to study. That was part of what led to my decision to drop out – I felt like I was wasting money (money I didn’t really have to begin with) on random classes for a random degree.
All I ever wanted in my life was to be a wife and a mother. You don’t need a degree for that. Now that I’m 32 and eternally single maybe I should have just bucked up and got that random degree…
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I also wanted to add that just because my mom (I was raised by a single mother) did not go to college doesn’t mean that’s why I didn’t go . . . education was important and valued in my family, I went to a private parochial school pre-school to grade 8 and had very positive grade school and high school experiences.
I don’t think that because someone didn’t go to college means that education wasn’t valued in their home…I just don’t think college is for everyone.
If/when I have children – college will be encouraged but by no means a “requirement”.
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College was never really emphasized in my household. We were expected to earn a living and begin to support ourselves out of high school. I attended a junior college right out of high school, mostly because of the cost issue. We were expected to pay for either the books or the classes and my parents would pay the difference. I received my Associates Degree but when I started thinking of transferring to a university my major was not really a good choice. I graduated high school in 1978 and started thinking that I wanted to be a Home Ec teacher. By the time I was out of junior college the women’s movement was going strong and very fee universities had home ec teaching programs. I shelved my pursuit and went to work full time as a bookkeeper. In my 30′s I went back to school to get my accounting degree. Taking one class at a time is not what I thought I would still be doing at my age. I have two classes left for my bachelor’s degree. I now make sure that everyone young person wondering what they should do after high school knows that finishing your education early is so much easier than doing it my way. The one bright spot in the whole thing is that I bought my house when I was 25 years old. So what I gave up in education in the early years to pursue working netted me with a solid roof over my head.
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College was NOT something my parents talked about at all when I was going up. Neither of them went to college. I think that is why I waited until I was 26 to go to college. I finally realized how important it is.
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I started college right out of high school. I had an apartment off campus. Education is very important and encouraged in my family. My mom never went but encouraged us to do so if that’s what we wanted. My dad would be a professional student if it wasn’t for his dental practice LOL. My dad and mom helped me with my college tuition and book costs; I also received an Academic Scholarship my first year in school. I did not complete the program I started as I started having difficulty with the Praxis tests and it was causing health problems. I switched from an Early Childhood Education degree to getting my Associates in Childhood Development. I graduated with that in May of 2001.
I think about going back all the time. I could be a student forever as I love to learn. With my husband going to school to get his Bachelor’s I’m waiting for him to complete that and hopefully get accepted into Officer’s Training School before I jump back into school myself. I am considering being a librarian now. It would combine the two things I love most…teaching and reading…with a little quiet time in between ;)
We hope that our kids will want to attend college and further their education. We will be very encouraging and supportive of them. My son is 6 1/2 right now and wants to follow in my dad’s footsteps and be a Dentist. DD is only 3 and just enjoys dress up and dolls for now.
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I went to college right out of high school. I did not finish. I actually got put on academic probation and while trying to get my gpa up at tech school; I got my current job. I wish I hadn’t quit. I’m not at a point where I really want a different job, but don’t have the degree. I should just finish.
I lived on campus for 2 yrs and off for 2 more. I took out loans. My only advice for parents is don’t push your kids to go to a particular school. My father so wanted me to go to UW-Madison, that I passed over the school I really wanted to attend. While I enjoyed the time I had there and I’m proud to be a nonalumi badger, I always have this feeling that I would have put more effort in if I was my first choice.
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Now this one really got me thinking! My response is in my Feedback Friday on my blog.
http://casadelesle.com/?p=162
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I went to college right out of high school. Although I worked as well, so I didn’t push myself academically at all. I met my husband while I was a senior and fell madly in love and ended up not finishing. I knew I wanted to get married and have kids and be a mom.
My husband doesn’t have his degree either. He started in art school and didn’t finish. He is pretty high up at Adobe systems. But I do know that if he had a degree he would be making about twice the money he currently makes. He was basically told this by a former boss. Which angers me to some extent. Why should your education determine how much you get paid when you work just as well or better than people with a formal education?
I guess Bill Gates might have an answer for that one! LOL!
BTW, we will be sending all our kids to college right after high school…no other options!
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