I wasn’t going to write another college blog post but it’s basically back to school season and my baby cousin is starting soon so I felt inspired. I feel like a lot of times people (mostly on the Internet) have a lot of opinions they present as fact, especially about college. So here are five myths that I am here to debunk:
1. Your GPA doesn’t matter
I know everyone on the Internet loves to say your GPA doesn’t matter but I’m here to let you know that sometimes it does. Having a low GPA won’t keep you from being a successful person or graduating but some opportunities will ask for a copy of your transcript when you apply and you don’t want to limit your opportunities because you don’t try in class.
2. Everyone graduates with a full-time position
This is a misconception that I think almost anyone believes, especially before they go to school. Because I mean, that’s why you go to college right? To end up with a job in your field to launch your career. However, a lot of students don’t graduate with jobs in their field, which can be explained by a number of factors but I don’t want to start that rant. But that’s not to say that you should feel disheartened already, I graduated with a full-time position & I have friends who did too, but I also have friends who just got their offer in the past couple of weeks and some who are still on the hunt, everyone’s path doesn’t look the same no matter how much society tries to push that there is one correct journey to take.
3. You Never Have to Go to Class
Please listen to me when I say go to your classes. Even if you sit on your laptop and scroll on twitter for half of it try to look engaged and show up. Even putting in that little bit of effort shows a professor you care and they may be more willing to throw you a bone if you need it, extra points for actually participating.
4. Some degrees/fields of study are more valuable than others
This is something that a lot of people argue, that getting a STEM degree is the only one that holds value or is worth it, however without publicists, journalists, advertisers, graphic designers, directors, actors and other creative or humanities-focused fields those inventions and breakthroughs would go unnoticed without people with the skills to market them and promote them.
5. They Will be the Best Years of Your Life
I hope for your sake that college isn’t the best part of your life because you have a lot of life ahead after graduation. That’s not to say you won’t have an amazing time but please don’t think that your life ends or gets significantly worse post-grad because I’m here to tell you it doesn’t.
Are there any myths or misconceptions about college that you want to debunk? Share it in the comments!
14 thoughts on “5 Myths about College Debunked”
Kudos Sydney!
#2 and #4 (Even though STEM IS……!) Resonates the loudest with me.
Stem is an amazing field but as you know from experiencing me… it’s not for everyone lol
I felt college was a waste of time for me. I’m still not in my field.
I loved this post! I’m in college now (all online), but a lot of what I read is so true!!
College was the most absolute carefree fun I’ve ever had because I didn’t have real responsibilities. NOW, I move a little different. I don’t have any kids BUT work is more important than partying and everyone is NOT your friend lol. However, I did meet my adult best friends there.
Great post! I love all the points – but I do often wonder about the need to have some sort of engineering degree. It seems the world is changing (has changed) and so many jobs require this degree. I hope that’s not true as the arts help make the world civil and whole!
These are very valid points. Quite frankly your GPA doesn’t determine your success in life— your skill does.
This is so true! I love the last part especially because college is a struggle. Yes, you have fun, but you have to grind and work hard and balance studying with a job and a social life. It’s tough, but you do have the rest of your life to have the time of your life. Such a great post!
My husband has a STEM degree and I do not, I believe we are both equally successful but in different ways. I will say we own and run our own companies. Financially speaking he did make more out of the gate than I did, but we both ended up in the same spot.
GPA definitely does matter if you want to go on to grad school. My first degree was a blur–the best years of my life so far have been from ages 45-50, the last five years. AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GO TO CLASS! Sincerely, a person who has taught college English classes…
So true about GPA! You definitely want to keep it up if you think that one day you may want to go to grad school
This is the best thing I’ve ever seen because it is so true! After graduating college you realize all these things and I remember that most days they were not the best years of my life!
I like this post because it provides a different perspective on college. However, as a college advisor, I’d have to say your GPA does matter for many students seeking scholarships, grants, and other forms of aid (or trying to maintain this aid). Also, if that GPA drops too low, students can kiss college goodbye. The GPA also helps tremendously for internships and externships. On the flip side, students should be bringing more to the table than a good GPA though. I definitely see your point there. It’s not the end all be all by a long shot.
I agree wholeheartedly the myth is that it doesn’t matter. Lol I had a scholarship that I had to maintain too I definitely should’ve included that