There’s no shame in being an educated person without a college degree, even though most employers and managers may look down on you at first glance. There are some very real reasons to avoid going to school, even if you have the money to pay for it. In fact, there are several compelling reasons to completely avoid higher education altogether, so let’s take a look at the top five reasons why you should ignore your parents’ wishes and not go to college.
5 Common Excuses for Not Getting a Degree
Sometimes, going to college doesn’t make sense. Here are a few reasons why you should think twice before picking up that diploma.
1) Cost: Education is expensive, no matter what you study. And with student debt hitting an all-time high, it might not be worth saddling yourself with debt while other people in your same profession get paid more and are fiscally healthier than you will be for years to come.
2) It’s Time Consuming: College takes time, especially if you want to graduate on time. If you’re working part- or full-time and need to maintain relationships outside of school, college may not be right for you.
3) The Job Market is Tough: Some degrees have been shown to have better job placement rates than others; unfortunately, those degrees also often carry higher price tags as well. Don’t go into tens of thousands of dollars of debt just because your degree can pay off—find out what employers actually want first!
4) You Might Be Better Off Working: Depending on where you live, a college degree might not make financial sense. Instead of saddling yourself with loans while living in an expensive city like New York City or San Francisco, consider moving somewhere more affordable (or at least staying put).
5) You Might Not Need a Degree: In some fields—like science and technology—you don’t necessarily need a four-year degree to get hired. A bachelor’s in computer science from Harvard isn’t going to mean much when applying for jobs at Facebook or Google; instead, many companies prefer candidates with industry experience who know how to code from day one.
I Don’t Have the Time
School is full of excuses for why you should leave your education to some other time. I have a job. I already have a career. I work full-time hours and I don’t have time for school. My boss will fire me if I go back to school. Yes, they might – but only if you let them get in your way of getting an education. If you are truly committed to obtaining a degree, then nothing will stop you from going back to school. In fact, it may even be beneficial that you are working while going to school because it means that you won’t have as much free time on your hands. If someone wants to hold up their lack of free time as an excuse not to attend college or university then they need to realize that there are millions of people who do exactly what they want with their lives every day while still attending classes at night or online during their off hours. If those people can make it happen then so can anyone else who really wants it badly enough!
I Don’t Want to Sacrifice My Career
Getting a degree can open doors in ways you never thought possible. But is it worth it? Getting your master’s degree can make you better prepared for your career, allow you to charge more for your work and even result in greater job security. And getting a doctoral degree will open up opportunities that may have otherwise been closed off to you. However, graduate school isn’t for everyone and if you’re looking at getting another degree be sure to weigh all of your options. Not every program or career track is right for everybody and making sure you have a clear picture of what working toward another degree will look like is important before committing to anything, no matter how good an idea it may seem on paper.
I’m Afraid I Won’t Be Able to Keep Up
Studying and working full-time will be a challenge, but it is manageable. Remember that college classes don’t have to be all work and no play. Use your time off between classes to recharge your batteries with an activity you enjoy – whether it’s listening to music, watching movies or taking up a new hobby. And if you’re struggling with balancing schoolwork and daily responsibilities, talk to your professors about submitting assignments late or in advance of deadlines. A little extra time can go a long way toward helping you achieve academic success without having to give up your life outside of class.
Financing Is an Issue
Earning a college degree takes time and money. And for most students, that’s not an issue because their parents are footing most of their college bills. But in reality, a majority of high school graduates must obtain some form of student financing to earn a bachelor’s degree. Scholarships and grants don’t cover tuition completely, leaving many students with loans as their primary source of financial aid.
It Just Doesn’t Feel Right
Have you ever questioned whether you’re pursuing your passion? Passion isn’t something that comes easy to everyone, but don’t go for a degree that isn’t in line with your interests just because it will earn you a paycheck. If you don’t want to do something, even if it means going without work or giving up financial security, then don’t do it. Focusing on a degree that doesn’t interest you could make paying for school and obtaining your degree feel more like an obligation than an accomplishment. But most of all, remember: money is replaceable, time is not. Once those credits are gone and your diploma has been handed over -– there’s no taking them back.