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We're taught that if you don't go to college you can't be successful. I don't believe that. If I was to decide that I don't want to go to college but still want to learn, what's the best way to do that?
#college #freshman
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5 answers
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Megan’s Answer
Checking out YouTube videos or blogs about different things that you are interested in one option. There are some institutions that offer free certification programs in soft skills and some that offer certifications for technical skills. A quick Google search of free certification programs, and whatever you are looking to become certified in should be a good starting point.
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Raquel’s Answer
Going to college is not the only way to success. Many jobs require college degrees but there are also plenty of successful, well paid, and satisfying careers without attending college. To get a “successful” job you will need some sort of professional training. There are lots of trade/specialty schools that you can attend that are considerably shorter and cheaper than attending college while still providing a fulfilling career with plenty of earning potential. What the best option for you is, really depends on what you are interested in doing. I would recommend thinking of things that you enjoy, are good at, or are interested in as a career and then searching for what options are out there. You can also search for trade schools and see what kind of programs they have.
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Simeon’s Answer
The quickest way to earn a good income without going to college is get a certification in a trade. You could also try your hand at entrepreneurship or franchising. There are lots of ways to learn from Skillshare, Youtube, and the library. Even if you don't sign up for a degree, you can pay a small fee to "audit" a course to pay to see a professor teach a full course without being responsible for the assignments since you don't have a grade to worry about.
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Kevyn’s Answer
Hi Kimmyari!
Even if you were to go to college, your learning journey would NOT be over! I've been lucky enough to have attended (and finished) college twice and I invest a significant amount of my own time, energy and money to continue learning new things, applying them to both my personal and professional life - over and over and over again, learning never stops!
For myself, what I've found helpful about college:
1. It gave me the basics of how to learn how to learn (and I continue to look for ways to learn new things more effectively). That was a natural outcome of taking classes, studying for exams, etc, etc.
2. It gave me credentials that opened the door to opportunities. There are some paths in life where having that college degree becomes easier to attain than others...and there are some that are completely excluded entirely (do you really want a surgeon that never went to college operating on you?).
So, you're not wrong to think that college isn't for everyone - it's not - but before you make that call, ask yourself WHY you would want to forgo that opportunity and make sure you're comfortable with your answer. And...ask yourself that question - regardless of how you answered it - often; remember that you don't have to make a decision today that you can't change your mind on tomorrow!
Best wishes!
Even if you were to go to college, your learning journey would NOT be over! I've been lucky enough to have attended (and finished) college twice and I invest a significant amount of my own time, energy and money to continue learning new things, applying them to both my personal and professional life - over and over and over again, learning never stops!
For myself, what I've found helpful about college:
1. It gave me the basics of how to learn how to learn (and I continue to look for ways to learn new things more effectively). That was a natural outcome of taking classes, studying for exams, etc, etc.
2. It gave me credentials that opened the door to opportunities. There are some paths in life where having that college degree becomes easier to attain than others...and there are some that are completely excluded entirely (do you really want a surgeon that never went to college operating on you?).
So, you're not wrong to think that college isn't for everyone - it's not - but before you make that call, ask yourself WHY you would want to forgo that opportunity and make sure you're comfortable with your answer. And...ask yourself that question - regardless of how you answered it - often; remember that you don't have to make a decision today that you can't change your mind on tomorrow!
Best wishes!
Updated
M’s Answer
Hi Kimmyari! This is a great question! College does not necessarily mean success. Success has to be worked towards, and if you do not see college in your future that it totally ok. I would recommend looking into what exactly you want to do. Do you want to open a business, is there a specific field you want to go into, etc. and based on that do your research and see what is needed to get there. Additionally you could reach out to people who are already in that business or field and ask them questions, people are almost always willing to help. I would doing this on a platform like LinkedIn. Wishing you all the best!