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Do you go to college for the degree or experience?

I talk to so many of my fellow graduating seniors and all they talk about is the experience of college. However, when I mention academics they tend to turn their head away. I just wonder what do most people attend college for? More of the experience of academics?

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Renee’s Answer

Very interesting question. I went to USC as a student-athlete and I would definitely say I went to college for my degree and experience. I knew that my swim career would not endure for long so you definitely want to enjoy the experience of being a competitive athlete on a great team (camaraderie, friendship and competition). With that being said, you want to give yourself the best opportunity of a great career too (degree focus). I knew that I wanted to attend USC because of the swim team and the opportunity to be an architect. I did not end up pursuing architect but I am very content with degree and minors. If you ask any of my friends they will probably have a different response. I definitely feel happy and comfortable with my decision to keep a balance as both student and athlete.

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Lindsey’s Answer

Most go to college for the degree and the experience. The degree is, after all, what will land you a job afterwards! The best advice I can give you is to do your best to balance the two. Make smart decisions early on to ensure you're setting yourself up to graduate on time. Understand what it is you have to do to get your degree and stay on track so that you can feel good about spending time investing in other, more social and personal development driven experiences.


I attended the University of Oregon and graduated in four years with a degree in Journalism and Communications. In hindsight, I wish I had prioritized my schoolwork over my social life more than I did. I ended up with a decent GPA, which most employers don't care much about (depending of course on what it is you ultimately want to do with your career!), but I didn't spend enough time and energy developing a deep understanding of the material. In many cases I just did the bare minimum to get by and I regret that. What did I prioritize? My social life. While I'm happy about the friends I made and fun experiences I had, looking back now, I realize that had I spent half the amount of time investing in those things I still would have had a great experience, just with more beneficial/working knowledge! :) It's cliche but so true, "knowledge is power"!


You're smart to ask the question at all, so I have no doubt you'll make smart choices and end up with a great job and an unforgettable college experience:) Good luck Arianna!

Lindsey recommends the following next steps:

Consider joining a sorority. I looked at it as a "kill two birds" type situation. Not only was I able to make a ton of friends in a convenient way, but I was part of a community of people who encouraged me to stay on track with my studies. There were tons of girls who were taking the same classes so we'd have study groups which was super helpful, I wish I did more of that! I also held a position a couple years which was a great resume builder.
Part of the experience is working! Don't forget to make getting and maintaining a job throughout your college years a priority
Make a decision on what you'd like to major in earlier on so that you know exactly what you must do to graduate on time
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Khristian’s Answer

I am in my second year of community college, where I would defiantly state that I am in it for the degree not the experience. I am in my late twenties and I had attended the state university right out of high school and at that time took full and utter advantage of the experience that college had to offer me. I wanted to live the ultimate dorming life and the social aspect of college had taken me by storm. I had also, become apart of a sorority that had given my the opportunity to shed light on my surroundings, and what I was experiencing, that has latter help me with my decision to reevaluate the direction I was going in life and how I was getting there.

"<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Thirty percent of college and university students drop out after their first year."</span>

I had seen this fact first hand with how students my own age ( at 18 - 20 years of age ). Preforming poorly with in their academics because of the experience of college, they had been put on academic probation instead of going to college with the rigorous determination in getting a degree.

I feel as if going to college for just the experience will land you in costly debt with no degree in hand and a future that gets harder and harder to plan out. I recommend to remain mindful of the different aspects of life itself that can be handed to you while going to a university for the experience rather then going to a university to achieve graduation day and a degree.

Khristian recommends the following next steps:

Remain head strong and determined to receive your degree !
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Kencia’s Answer

Ultimately , you should be doing both. Everything in life should be an experience to remember and teach you lessons. College is no different, You should be there for the experience but the icing on the cake is the degree when you finish strong. Your aim should be to excel academically while building a entirely new social circle. The people you meet may be future spouse, future brother/sister (frats), future business partners, and lifelong friends. Get the experience on your way to the degree! Hope this helps.


~ Kence

www.aLittleKence.com
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