By Olivia Johnson
Hi, I’m Olivia, and I’m at a crossroads in my life. I graduated from high school last year here in Southern California, where I’ve lived my whole life. Like so many others my age, I’m faced with a big decision: should I go to college or take a different path? I’ve been wrestling with this question for months, and honestly, I don’t know if the traditional route is the best option anymore.
Growing up, college always seemed like the obvious next step. My dad is adamant that I go, saying it’s the only way to secure a good future. He believes in the classic “college equals success” equation, and I can’t blame him. That’s what his generation was taught. My mom, on the other hand, has told me that whatever I decide will be the right choice. She’s been supportive, which is comforting, but it doesn’t make the decision any easier.
I’ve read so many articles and heard countless stories that make me question if college is still worth it. For one, the cost is staggering. I read an article about how student loan debt in the U.S. has reached almost $2 trillion! To put that into perspective, if I spend 10 million dollars a day for 500 years I still would not have spent $2 trillion! That’s a ridiculous number! Some people spend decades paying off their loans, which sounds terrifying. One of my friends’ older sisters just finished grad school, and she’s stuck with six figures of debt. She’s working two jobs, neither of which even requires the degree she spent years earning.
There’s also the question of whether college is as safe as it used to be. I’ve read about rising crime rates and assaults on campuses, especially in urban areas, and it worries me. I know that’s not the case everywhere, but it’s something to think about. And then there’s the quality of education itself. I certainly do not want to be a part of this agenda driven brainwashing I see going on at schools. I started seeing more and more of that infiltrating into my high school. And what about the quality of the education? A few people I know have said that their college classes felt more like a business transaction than an actual learning experience. One even mentioned that half of their “professors” were adjuncts who barely had time to meet with students because they were juggling multiple teaching jobs just to make ends meet.
Then there’s the ROI, the return on investment. Will the degree I might get actually lead to a job that pays well enough to justify the time and money spent? I’ve heard mixed stories. Some people say their degree opened doors they never would have had otherwise, while others feel like they’re stuck in jobs they could have gotten without going to college at all.
Lately, I’ve been wondering if there’s more value in travel and work experience than in years of higher education. I’ve always wanted to explore Europe, and I’m seriously considering traveling there for a year before making any decisions about college. I think experiencing different cultures, working odd jobs, and figuring out who I am might teach me more than sitting in a classroom ever could. One of my mom’s friends said her son took a gap year to travel and came back more confident and focused. He eventually went to college and excelled because he knew what he wanted by then.
At the same time, I know there are risks. What if taking a year off is a big mistake and I never catch up with my education? What if I regret not going to college right away? What if traveling is overrated and I end up wasting my time and money on an experiment that doesn’t give me the clarity I’m hoping for? What if I become a victim of some horrible crime? These questions keep me up at night.
So, here I am, asking for advice. What do you think? Is college still worth it in today’s world? Should I focus on building real-world experience first? Have you or someone you know taken a gap year, and how did it turn out? I’d love to hear your thoughts, stories, and opinions in the comments.
For now, I’m going to keep exploring my options and trying to figure out what path is right for me. Thanks for taking the time to read my flow of consciousness.
I hope you’ll share your perspective and experiences. I could really use the insight.