Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college, I have one piece of advice: don't graduate. Yes. You heard me. Don't graduate. I'm sure dozens of intelligent people have told you that you need to go to college and get good grades so you can get a good job that will provide good benefits. Well, the bad news about all of this good news is that it is cruel propaganda.

Let me explain why. Year after year, I watch you work hard and earn good grades (some of you, at least). You receive honors and awards for your achievements. You eventually graduate and your family comes to your graduation--with gifts and balloons. Once graduation is over, reality drops. There are few good jobs for you. You move back home to live with your parents (assuming that you left in the first place). Initially, you have to work jobs that seldom pay well or have anything to do with your major. Those darn student loan people start calling to remind you about your huge debt and all the special programs you qualify for if you are "experiencing problems meeting your debt obligations." You discover that you still have some choices. You can settle for a decent job that pays the bills. You can marry, have children, and spend the rest of your life suspended between debt and death. Or, you can go back to college to graduate all over again.

I'm here to say-don't do it. Don't graduate twice. In fact, don't even graduate once. Instead, I strongly urge you to do something even better and that is "get educated." If you are confused, then this is a sign that you have probably graduated without being educated. Let me make my point more concrete.

Do you remember hearing stories about athletes who somehow made it through high school without ever learning how to read or write? Of course, you do. I bet you were just as shocked as everybody else. How in the world could this happen? Didn't somebody know? Of course, somebody knew. Somebody always knows. But knowing did little to stop those athletes from parading across the stage at graduation-with a diploma.

They graduated, but they weren't educated.

So, here's the kicker (and you are not going to like it).

For one moment, I want you to imagine that you are an athlete who graduated uneducated or undereducated. Guess what? This isn't make-believe. You are that athlete and the athlete is you! Sure, you probably have an A average. You can read poems in Latin while doing hat tricks, and you are probably on your way to a prestigious university. The fact of the matter is that none of your magnificent attributes really matter. You and the athlete are in the same boat. He is situated at one end and you at another. However, it is the same boat. You both graduated and you both have the diploma to prove it. In spite of your differences, both of you have been reduced to the same level. How does this happen? When you figure out the answer, you will be on the road toward educating yourself and maybe a few others as well.

For now, I just hope that you can see the gap between graduating and being educated. No longer do you have to wait and hope someone will explain this complicated reality to you. If you decide you absolutely have to go college, then you must graduate with an education. If not, you will spend the rest of your life in that boat and it's harder to get out than you think.

J.K. Dennis is the author of "9 Lessons for a Meaningful Life." To learn more about the book, visit http://www.atlasbooks.com/3hp/index.html#titles. Questions and comments can be sent to 9lessons@3hp.us.

---

Better Links Directory

Discover How Online College Classes Work

It's no secret that more and more people are looking... Read More

How to Save Money While at College

Still struggling to pay off the college loan? Have you... Read More

How to Choose the Right School For You

Now that the admission committees have handed you their decisions,... Read More

Online Nursing Degree For Busy Nurses

Many who work in the healthcare or nursing industry know... Read More

Building Interaction Into Your Online Course

You've already decided that you're ready to author online and... Read More

Accredited Life Experience Degrees ? Accelerate Your Progress Online

Chances are you are pursuing an online degree to reap... Read More

How to eMail Your Professor

So its 12:30 Pm and there you are at the... Read More

Principalship: Leading Change in Schools

The L.E.A.D.E.R. WayINTRODUCTIONIn June 1997,the Prime Minister of Singapore unveiled... Read More

The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses

What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across... Read More

GCSE English I Hate the Moor Notes about Othello

The Shakespearean play "Othello" describes a cruel chain of events... Read More

Accredited Online Universities ? Getting Good Grades

Taking distance education courses requires more motivation and self discipline... Read More

Physical Therapy Schools

Physical Therapy Schools administer course instruction to potential physical therapists.... Read More

The Freshman 15, or 20, or 25

Now I remember being a freshman in college, and let... Read More

Revolt of the Scholars

http://www.realsci.com/Scindex's Instant Publishing Service is about empowerment. The... Read More

How to Survive with As

Attend ClassGo to class, every class, every time. It is... Read More

Study More Effectively

If you are studying for an exam or if you... Read More

Prepping for the new SAT I

On March 12, 2005, high school juniors across the country... Read More

Distance Education is Now Training the Next Genertation of Medical Assistants

Some people are calling it distance-free learning for the Medical... Read More

Facing Your Fears as an Adult Returning to School

In case you hadn't noticed, career colleges aren't just for... Read More

What You Should Know About Scholarships

When it's time to go to college, the word "scholarship"... Read More

College Low Expectations Game Cost Students, Parents, & Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars

During a recent conversation with a client, he shared with... Read More

Education - Let The Learning Begin!

You've probably heard it since you were little, 'get a... Read More

Acing the SAT Exam

Don't cheat. This goes without saying for 999 out of... Read More

Internetworking and Security Multiple Choice Test

Personally, I dislike Multiple Choice Tests. Because they do not... Read More

Parents: Take the SAT Challenge!

I keep a box of tissues on the table where... Read More