It may seem as though college is not worth the stress and difficulty because of a successful handful of people who did not graduate from college such as Joel Osteen, LeBron James, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Tyra Banks, Mary J. Blige, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, T.D. Jakes, Usher, William Shakespeare, Russell Simmons, Mark Twain, a total of eight U.S Presidents, Shawn White, Tiger Woods, Orville Wright, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and many others.
However, college prepares students for determination and responsibility. One can never truly understand what determination is without finishing college because studying and finishing assignments on time takes innate willpower that many people who opt-out of college do not possess. In the article, "Actually, College Is Very Much Worth It," Emile Wamsteker says, "The data make clear that getting a college education is still a good idea -- college graduates earn more, and are more likely to have a job in the first place -- and is especially important for some Americans."
Many people struggle, making low wages, but these people struggle because they -- some for good reasons and some for bad -- had to opt-out of college. I believe that education cripples poverty because the more education you have the better chance you have, in most instances, of getting a better job. Let's face it; I don't know any poor people that have an earned Doctorate degree. College is worth it and it's time for people to stop making petty excuses why they cannot go to college. If someone says, "College is not for me." I would argue that learning is not for them. And it's a tragedy when someone discontinues learning. Everyone should be forever indebted to learning.
Dr. Renita J. Weems has said to me, "What about the person who's better with their hands than they are with books? What about the plumber, the carpenter, or the electrician -- who feels that he or she prefers skilled work more than books and academic study -- must he or she be made to attend college and write papers if working on a trade is his or her preference?" I would say that the person who is dexterous with their hands should not be forced to do papers. However, there are many things one can learn from writing papers that can be used in carpentry, plumbing and other hands-on jobs. Writing papers and reading teaches organization, flow, learning how to understand and learning how to be understood. I believe plumbers, carpenters, electricians and others should receive both types of training.
College may seem unrealistic to some because they cannot afford it; however, college is worth placing yourself in debt because of the success one can find after college. It is better to be overqualified rather than under-qualified.