Benefits Beyond the Degree
Spending four years of your life focused on your personal development and academic pursuits is a privilege. Earning a bachelor’s degree has many benefits beyond the academic knowledge that one gains. We know that earning a college degree translates to increased lifetime earnings, job security, networking connections, and according to Princeton economists longer lifespans. There are even more social benefits that students gain during this time of self-development that are more difficult to quantify. I want to highlight four areas:
• Independence
• Confidence
• Emotional Intelligence
• Wider world view
For many students going to college and living away from home is a valuable introduction into “adulting”. Learning how to manage your time, being responsible for cleaning your space, and coordinating your social life on your own is crucial to becoming independent. And while living on campus allows a lot more freedom than living with your parents, there is still more structure and support than being totally on one’s own.
Confidence can grow organically from having a sense of purpose, exceling academically, and successfully managing one’s responsibilities. Spending four years focused on your growth and learning help develop a deeper understanding of oneself.
College also allows you time to experiment and reflect on your strengths and opportunities for growth so that you know yourself better. Self-awareness and reflection are critical tools to build emotional intelligence (EI). EI is crucial for success in all types of relationships.
The college campus environment is a unique space where students can be exposed to peers from all different geographies, ethnicities, races, religions, orientations, and opinions. This diverse environment is a great opportunity for students to get out of their bubbles and echo chambers and learn directly from peers with different backgrounds and experiences. Openness to learning from others will help students develop a wider world view and a global perspective that they might not otherwise have gained.
Just the act of being enrolled in college does not guarantee positive development. A student may not be open to growth if they are attending a college that is a bad fit, if they are not committed to their course of study, or if they are attending school out of a sense of obligation. Moreover, you do not necessarily have to attend college to build confidence, learn independence, develop EI, or gain a global perspective. Many people can have these experiences outside of a college campus. However, if a student chooses the right fit college, pursues an academic passion, and is open to growth they will thrive.
Earning a college degree has a multitude of benefits, but at what cost? As with any investment, students need to understand the return on investment when deciding where to pursue their degree. All the benefits mentioned above can be counteracted with the stress of insurmountable student debt. I will continue to be an advocate for higher education, but I will stress the importance of a smart investment in oneself.
Sophie Roth
Hi I am Sophie Roth
Bach is a concierge college counseling service. Going to college is an investment of time and money, as with any other important investment it is wise to meet with experts to guide your decisions. Students who make informed, thoughtful, and intentional choices when selecting colleges will enjoy more success. Students who take ownership of the process for themselves will feel accomplished and empowered that they have made the right choice and will arrive on campus with confidence.
