To GO or NOT TO GO? - FOUR Reasons why you SHOULD and SHOULDN'T go to college!

Good day readers!

So, I'm pretty sure somewhere in your lifetime you've considered whether to attend a college or you've recently been bombarded by your High School guidance counselor/advisor to submit at least "5 college applications" so you stand a chance of entering the "lottery ticket" of an all included package of: private loans, unsubsidized and subsidized, possible credit card applications, and many more disasters! But before I go on about my rant, I really do want to give colleges/universities around the United States a chance to glow in a pool filled with negativity.

I'm gonna go ahead and list the six reasons divided into four explanations from MY EXPERIENCE, why you should and shouldn't attend university (whether private/public or $15k per year - $50k per year):

Why you SHOULD GO	Why you SHOULDN'T GO
Social Connection (+)	Too Expensive (--)
The Experience (++)	Figuring out what to major in (-)
Finding Yourself (+++)	No guarantee of immediate occupation/job (--- to the 10th power)

Key:
(+): A good reason, multiple (+) would mean it's a VERY good reason.
(-): A bad reason, multiple (-) would mean it's a VERY bad reason.
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Before I get down to business, let me address my expertise in this topic since I don't want to come of as a KNOW-IT-ALL or as a false author. I attended Illinois State University from the year 2012-2016, I managed to enter my Freshman year with a major in **Business Administration** (BIG MISTAKE!) and thought I was on my way to a successful path! Until Sophomore year, I realized I didn't know ANYTHING about Mathematics and punching in numbers. So I successfully switched from BA to a CJS (Criminal Justice) in which I had endured a tough process to get into since I had to catch up with all the required classes. In the end, I finished in 4 years, and walked into my ceremony with a feeling of despair, anxiety, and failure. Not because I was fed up with the constant lies of being "individuals who are ahead of the game in regards to finding a job! And ranked as less likely to become unemployed!" because more than likely, the first few years of my postgraduate year would be spent working either: 1.) an occupation I had not planned on accepting or 2.) being unemployed and paying off school loans! Luckily, I planned ahead a few months and entered a little gig, **but that's a story for next time!**

THE GOOD:

THE EXPERIENCE
Ah... college is pretty much the chance of being an young adult with the responsibility of ONE person, guess who? YOU. So the experience can simply be shaped by how you act, engage, and spread your attention to other things on campus. Parties, dormitory hangouts, etc. It's filled with many opportunities, for you to really get "turnt up!". There's a UNLIMITED amount of social events that happen/will happen on your campus, whether it be the quad or the buildings surrounding the campus. Joining of fraternities and sororities is also an option, which could connect you to many outside "opportunities". But remember to FOCUS on your studies & have a healthy meal balance, because college is just a big machine that chews onto students and spits them back out, if it doesn't see you as a "fit for outstanding academic standing".

FINDING YOURSELF
Very IMPORTANT tip to myself and others. I was able to find a healthy hobby to keep me busy and change my physical and mental aspect towards my body. I managed to go through a weight transformation from a skinny 17 year-old Freshman to a 21-year old boxer & bodybuilder, with the understanding that the university had given me the tools (dining center, meal plans, gym equipment, etc.) to build such a self-esteem builder. In order to enable your inner self, you've gotta surround yourself with people who bring positive vibes and enlighten you!

THE BAD:

TOO EXPENSIVE
Oops! Did I forget that in order to get some of those good things, you also need to cough up anywhere from $10-50k+ every year?! But you wanted to "turn-up" right? Well, unless you're on scholarships: GOOD LUCK! Because our government loans/grant system isn't really designed to help you, we get thrown more subsidized loans (which ARE helpful) in order to balance out how much financial "AID" we get. Guess what? On our unsubsidized we have to pay the INTEREST! And who knows what it could be once you get out?. And guess again.. if you're parents are making anywhere from 30k+ a year? And they're married? You can forget financial aid, you won't see a sight of it.

PICK AND CHOOSE: Unemployment, employed or.. forced employment
ALRIGHT! So we get to our last point of it all, the likelihood of you finding an occupation within the 6 months of probation that you have in regards to paying your first few loans. Is it possible? OF COURSE! If you had the right tools in college and managed to attend job fairs and participate in internship opportunities. Or you could be smart and use your time wisely to apply to jobs outside of school. But remember, those jobs may only pay you entry-level hourly rates ($10.00-$12.00 an hour). As I said, everyone's position and outcomes are different but be sure that by Junior year or Senior year you begin to associate with others within your career destination to MAKE SURE you aren't waiting 2-3 years to finally get into the job you want, with your degree looking a little out-of-date (you'll never know).

In conclusion, has college really thought me anything? Most definitely, would I recommend it to broke individuals who think financial aid will help them? No. Don't take the risk of running up your loans and interest rates. But for the experience, I highly recommend you check it out! If you wanna go through what I'm going through (which isn't too bad, but could be worse), then I'd say go for it,but be wary that some advisors will NOT help you and be aware of what college you're going to and research them from TOP to BOTTOM (financial aid package, acceptance rate, drop-out rate, TUITION COST!) the experience is definitely something that I loved and meeting great people was something that I will NEVER FORGET.

It's your boy Foster, I'm out!
Peace.
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