Why college? Take 2

I chose to go to college mostly because it’s the thing to do now. I know that sounds lame but, it’s
true. I could say it was because I wanted to expand my education and get a better job but, that would be a lie. I guess I really don't have a great reason for being here. I am, as of right now, majoring in biology. I will probably transfer mainly because, I want to major in cellular biology and get a job as a genetic engineer. However, I will more than likely change my major before I get out of college. This semester I took a few core classes just to get the hang of college but next semester I plan on taking more elective type classes. I would appreciate any opinions on classes that you like and why. I am still planning on taking only 12 hours. I didn’t realize how much time and effort goes into 12 credit hours.

I really like this college as a median from high school life to college life. The people here are friendly and fun (mostly) and yet serious at the same time.  I originally wanted to go straight to auburn and start my major there but, I am glad that I came here first.

Photo credit: Cap'n Rob

That was my second blog post and it was pretty bad. Reading it now, it just sounds plain depressing. So here is round two! Why college? Well I can’t really go back and change why I came to college, so how about I tell you why I am staying.

First, I like learning in college. I am actually learning quite a bit of information in college, even if I have b’s and c’s. I think I just needed to get into the groove of things to start turning my grades around. I have to admit that college is no cake walk. There is a lot more studying than I expected, tons of notes, and more trying to improve my intelligence rather than just getting the grade. “Education is unlike anything else in this world. No one can take it from you and it's priceless.” Alex jester said this and it sticks out to me because only those who want to learn will understand the importance of education.

Next, I am learning what I want to do with my life. Coming into college I wanted to major in biology and be a genetic engineer but I have changed my mind completely. I realized that I don’t want anything to do with biology! I have always been good at delivering speeches or presentations but, I never knew many jobs where I could make that my forte until recently in my Stu 101 class. My class had an assignment called kuderjourney. During the assignment, I found many majors and jobs that I loved or loved the idea of. So, I spent hours and hours of research on it and I have decided I want to go into public relations. However, I’m not certain what job I want yet to focus on yet.

Lifelong Employment Earnings*
Education	Earnings (in millions of dollars)
Professional Degree	$4.40
Doctorate	$3.40
Master's Degree	$2.50
Bachelor's Degree	$2.10
Associate’s Degree	$1.60
High School Diploma	$1.20
Less than High School Diploma	$1.00

*Full-time, year-round employment over a period of 40 years.

Money is another reason I am staying in college. According to the chart above, from the U.S. Census Bureau, a little education can make a huge difference in your lifetime earnings. I know your sitting there saying “well yeah, I could have told you that” but, I didn’t know it would be this big of a difference. Knowing that there is a big opportunity to make so much more money, it really urges me to strive harder in college.

 These reasons seem like common ground every typical college student has except other college students have something I don’t.  They talk about this “great experience”. What is this great experience? Even Kaitlyn Zelhart talks about these great friends she has made and how college is new and exciting. Maybe I am alone on this but, I haven’t made any amazing friends and nothing has really changed from high school except the learning curve.

All in all, I am really glad that I am in college and that I have revisited this topic to really delve into it more. College has helped me transition out of high school and think about what I want to do with my life. College is something that should be taken seriously and treated with respect if done so, you will learn a great deal of information and have a good time.