Attending College is a Choice

BARRY CHEUNG
Staff Writer

As most high-paying jobs require a college degree, going to college seems to be a necessity and not a choice. Getting a higher education is an investment in that it is a way to have a better life in the future, but college is not the only route to take after finishing high school.

After high school, opportunities increase and become more possible. People can travel, take on an entry-level job, find an internship or even volunteer. These alternatives can not only benefit those who have decided to forgo college, but can also help those who are indecisive to discover what they want to do in the future.

Although college can be great, it can also harm those who do not wish to attend. Since college is expensive, those who take out loans would be in debt for many years even after finding a stable job. According to the Pew Research Center, 19% of the nation’s households owed student debts in 2010.

With the expenses of college, individuals must weigh the decision carefully. People should not be pressured into going to college whether the coercion is from friends, family or teachers. It would be a waste to do something that they do not wish to do or show interest in, especially something as expensive as higher education.

In the end, it is the individual’s duty to choose their own route and live with their choices. If attending college is not a particular matter that may benefit them as a person, then do not follow peer pressure. Instead, try out the other opportunities the world has. Everyone has the right to choose what they want to do, so do not let others control those choices.