Reflections on the Value of College: A Personal Journey

From a young age, it seemed like college was a given. My parents always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education as the only viable path towards success. Growing up, I never questioned their directive and blindly followed suit. They had decided that I was college material from the moment I was born. When it came to post-secondary education, my options were strictly limited to college, with no consideration for trade schools or other alternatives. However, as I navigated through college and later into my professional life, I began to question the value of this path.

College Years: A Waste of Time and Money?

My college years felt like an extended high school experience. The goal was to continue the education journey I had already been on, without much direction or purpose. I barely scraped by and ultimately just completed the program without any concrete goals or aspirations. The reality is, I felt like I was simply going through the motions. Everything seemed monotonous, and I found myself struggling to find meaning in the academic environment.

Post-Graduation and the Realization

After college, my first job was at a nonprofit organization focusing on consumer advocacy and environmental issues. Despite the requirements for a college degree, this position didn’t feel like my calling. The office environment didn’t suit my needs or preferences. I was out of place and realized that the corporate and educational bureaucracies were not built for individuals like me. This experience made me question the worth of my college education and the traditional pathways to success.

Alternative Pathways and Success Through Self-Education

One of the biggest realizations came when I delved into self-taught skills like biochip technology, specifically wood vinegar. Through self-study for a few months, I gained an advantage that could potentially bring in a decent income. Moreover, I came across the fact that companies were willing to pay substantial amounts—around three billion dollars and counting—without college degrees. This transition foreshadowed a new reality where people could build themselves up from the ground up and become successful without the need for formal education.

Building a Future Without Formal Education

Building up myself was the key to survival in a world where incompetent and stupid people dominated. The only way to cope was to continuously improve myself and build a solid knowledge base. This period was challenging, but it taught me the importance of self-education and resilience. My experiences underlined the fact that success is not solely defined by a college degree. With the rise of tech, web, and software development, I saw firsthand that many people were achieving great success without formal education.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my journey, I have come to realize that the traditional path of college may not be the best fit for everyone. Alternative paths, such as self-education and leveraging real-world skills, can lead to success and financial independence. It’s important to recognize that success can be defined in multiple ways and that college may not be the only or even the best path toward achieving personal and professional goals.