“Every year, many, many stupid people graduate from college – John Green

We live under the illusion of choice. From a young age, the notion that someday we will be packing our bags, teary eyed adolescence saying goodbye to our parents at the steps of our imminent future – of which has regrettably become a moment we subconsciously welcome and adhere to.
The fallacy that to attend university, respectively one of high appraise, is imperative to reaching success – resides at the back of our mind. Even in youth, we decipher this from the world around us; from a constant stream of subconscious cues – strung from movies to an overheard conversation, earnestly congratulating one’s daughter on being accepted into Harvard.

For many, the approaching date of ones college years brings heightened pressure, driving the subsequent misapprehensions that we are working towards a successful future. Never once do we truly stop to consider,do I want to go to college?
Albeit for many, it is somewhat rhetorical – the answer will not taint what is set in stone. However, within this generation, college may no longer be the stepping stone to pursuing success.

First and foremost, nearly 45% of college graduates are working in jobs that do not require a degree – questioning whether we falsely overstate the importance of a $150,000 piece of paper (NYTimes). Furthermore, roughly one-third of millennials admitted regret in going to college (Forbes). So are those anxiety-ridden yearsworththe struggle?

Secondly, attending college itself may ironically be the conflicting factor stunting the pursuit of success. This considering that not all college applications ensure a high-paying job, with 85% of college graduates returning home jobless (shtfplan.com). Additionally, these students return tied down by the average $25,000 burden of student loans, which typically (assuming a bachelors degree), takes 21-years of hard work to pay off (usnews). Hence, is the outcome trulyjustifiable?

Finally, as perfectly stated by Dale Partridge:
“Success is about personal development, self-control, integrity, communication skills, relationships, a learner’s heart, and boatloads of uncontainable passion. And most importantly, successful people know we learn by doing, not just learning to do.”

Unfortunately, this creates no easy decision. As regardless, each choice draws a compromise. It remains certain that many jobs require a college degree, especially to qualify in numerous high-paying fields; And as presented through the cliche-likes of movies, college presents the broader opportunity to reinvent yourself, experience new things and meet unforgettable people.
All in all, it may be difficult to stray away from societys propaganda, but finally – you have a choice. There is no black and white; Simply the understanding that a college degree doesn’t guarantee success, and not getting a college degree doesn’t guarantee failure (Forbes).

Sources:
Andersen, Erika. Do You Really Need To Go To College? Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 1 Nov. 2012, www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2012/08/06/do-you-really-need-to-go-to-college/#7cb252fe2d49.
Rapoza, Kenneth. One In Five Americans Work From Home, Numbers Seen Rising Over 60%. Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 20 Feb. 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2013/02/18/one-in-five-americans-work-from-home-numbers-seen-rising-over-60/#40e51daf25c1.
Touryalai, Halah. Student Loan Problems: One Third Of Millennials Regret Going To College. Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 23 May 2013, www.forbes.com/sites/halahtouryalai/2013/05/22/student-loan-problems-one-third-of-millennials-regret-going-to-college/#7dec5c367797.
Nowhere to Go: 85% of College Graduates Will Return Home Jobless. SHTF Plan – When It Hits The Fan, Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You, 24 May 2011, www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/nowhere-to-go-85-of-college-graduates-will-return-home-jobless_05242011.
Student Loan Expectations: Myth vs. Reality. U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, www.usnews.com/news/blogs/data-mine/2014/10/07/student-loan-expectations-myth-vs-reality.
Partridge, Dale, et al. 4 Brilliant Reasons To Not Go To College. StartupCamp, 5 Jan. 2017, startupcamp.com/4-brilliant-reasons-to-not-go-to-college/.
4 Reasons Why a College Education Is Necessary These Days. The Cheat Sheet, 26 Oct. 2017, www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/4-reasons-you-should-go-to-college.html/?a=viewall.

Note: Submitted to The New York Times, under 18 (persuasive editorial feature), under 450 words.​