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Yes

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Now this really is a tough question to answer: after all, how can you have a balanced view of the argument when chances are that you've only ever experienced one of the two?

I personally went to a private college so of course I'm going to say yes - how could I say otherwise? - but I can entirely see things from the other point of view. The private college I attended adjoined to a Private secondary school which I also attended, and both were single-sex schools until recently. No doubt this hampered my social skills somewhat, but luckily the damage was limited when I came to University, and also the fact that I have three sisters of roughly a similar age and I knew a fair few people on the estate too, so that wasn't too bad.

But here's the thing: I became the only child in my family to have a private education: my fellow siblings attended public schools and ultimately public college. I will be blunt and say that on the grounds of pure education and knowledge-building, private schools are better, no doubt. I was pushed harder, sat all of the hardest possible papers in the exams, and given mounds of homework to plough through night after night.

But ultimately, though, the majority of the accolades I acheived at college are obsolete now thanks to University and being out in the wider world. Grades will only take you so far: you need the people skills to see them through. The massive gain from college for me, personally, was that it developed an immense level of self-discipline and a strong work ethic. Even now, years after leaving college, I feel unfulfilled if I haven't acheieved a significant amount of things - this is a continuous felling, even on slow Sundays.

College made University easy by comparison: At college (and school) I was at college from 8 'til 4 and spent every weekend night devoting a couple of hours to homework. A degree which asks for the occasional essay here and there across the months seemed a doddle. But here's where the private education failed me: I really didn't know how to lighten up and enjoy myself. Whilst my friends would hit the town and blow scores of cash on drink, I'd stay behind and organise myself for the next day. True, it's the more sensible option, and I didn't have a screaming hangover the next day, but it wasn't fun. And who will have the funny anecdotes and stories to tell friends and family down the line? Not me.

So, in conclusion: private colleges are like army camps for the brain. They'll straighten you up and vigorously sort out your efficiency and mindset, but they're no fun.

Learn more about this author, Peter Leonard.
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