why is college so important do you really need it to succeed in everyday life?

Yes and No Sa'Quan. Depending on your goals you may not need college. If you are a high achiever with specific goals, society demands that you obtain a certain level of expertise in a given area that qualifies you to practice in your profession of choice. Another important aspect of college is the social engagement of meeting like minded individuals that work towards goals together. This brings a lot of joy to life-being around others that want to express their gifts in the world. All of these experiences help you advance in life and hopefully assist you in becoming a better person who is financially self-sufficient. All of this said, it is not necessary to go into tremendous debt. You could begin your studies at a local community college and obtain a two year degree in a field which interests you. Community college students are often working their way through college. I don't know if this is your situation, but it may be supportive of your needs. Also, a community college degree does not have to be an associates degree in preparation for a four year program. It could be a dental hygienist, welding, carpentry, LPN, radiology technician program, etc. These are all fields which would offer you a living wage and do not put you into tremendous debt. Studies have shown that people with college degrees typically earn a million dollars more than folks with a high school degree. That is something to think about. Lastly I would ask, what do you plan to do without a degree? Think about what you have a passion for being in life and connect that to work you love. What do you need to get "there"? Work your way backwards and make the small steps to achieve your dreams. Surround yourself with positive and goal orientated friends that help you become who you see yourself becoming in life. Best wishes!

Hi Sa'Quan,

Great question. It's been my experience that college is used as a proxy for employers to evaluate your ability to learn and your perseverance towards achieving goals. Chances are no matter what career you pursue, there will be hands-on learning happening and lots of employers are looking for people who catch on quickly and can solve problems effectively; a degree gives them a sense of your capabilities in this area. Employers also spend a lot of time and resources recruiting new employees so they want some indicator that the person they pick will be around for awhile and not just flake out. Having completed a degree demonstrates that you can focus your energy and get things done.

That being said, going to college is not the only way to demonstrate those qualities - I know many computer savvy folks who are self taught instead of going to college. They built their own websites or mobile apps and used those as their portfolio to demonstrate they know what they are doing - for certain fields employers are willing to exchange a degree for years of experience in the field. So it really depends on what you want to do and the specifics of that field.