by Frida Runghen

Created on: August 27, 2011

I would say straightforward NO; college is not for everyone. Before going further let's analyse the reason/s why we feel the urge to go to college. The reason is to acquire a higher level of education and be more knowledgeable. This is done in view of obtaining a better job and a successful career but how true this is?

In Mauritius for instance where I come from, acquiring higher degrees and great qualifications is a kind of lifestyle and a way to gain more respect and be admired by the society. This is very common among students who just finished the final academic year at school. The main motive is not to acquire knowledge but to obtain a title and supposedly be more respected by the society. It's a question of prestige rather than simply acquiring knowledge which predominates. Very often the field chosen by those aspiring graduates have nothing to do with their inner talent and passion, the most important thing for them is to obtain a qualification and the title which comes along with it. "Oh you know I have a BSC, I am Certified Accountant... I am this I am that". 

The sad thing in it is that parents encourage their children in that matter, they even sometimes choose the field of study for them. In many cases it is also a kind of competition among relatives. There is a doctor in the family, the cousin needs to study medicine also or study something else which will have somehow the same consideration with regards to society. 

"Ok you studied medicine, I will study law"... kind of (ridiculous) stuff. That's why there are many failures in this life even though they possess degrees, PHDs, doctorates etc...

Why is it the case? Simple answer. The intentions and motives are deluded. They are wrong. We are not all the same. We have been created differently so our talent/s differ from each other. Student A might have a passion for music whereas student B loves cooking. We cannot be all musicians, doctors, scientist, lawyers, accountant, pilots or whatever. We might have an appreciation for many things but there is one thing which always prevails, which we like, which appeals to us naturally where we show much interest without the need to do much effort. It is call passion. It is either inborn or it could sometimes be learned and loved and gives way to a growing interest.

The question of: "Is college for everyone?" is not a situation which exists only in Mauritius but it is everywhere. So therefore to avoid wasting time on useless studies and the wrong reason to go to college, a self analysis and the help of a career guidance are best ways to determine the right courses and field of study before thinking going to college.

A college is an institution to acquire knowledge. A vocational institution is helpful to improve one's skill but a college could also be a place of frustration and a nightmare if students are there for the wrong reason.

Once again determine your answer after analysis. Ask yourself that question: "Is college for me". Remember the right and wrong motives. If you decided YES then it should be fruitful otherwise don't be waste timer, life is too precious. Besides success is not obtained only within the four walls of a building called college/universities there are always alternative ways. 

Learn more about this author, Frida Runghen.
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