Letting go of the higher education dream

From 2002 to 2005, I was a student at Durham College, first in the General Arts & Science program and then in Journalism. So I've done the higher education thing. But sometimes I wonder if I did it right.

Now, my time at Durham was, for the most part, a blast. I made some great friends and got an education that put me on the path to a career. But sometimes I'd look back and say, "I could have done it better". I could have had more fun, partied more, hit on more co-eds.

So periodically, after my college career was over, but before I'd really landed a job in journalism, I thought about going back. Trying again. Maybe going to university to study literature or the arts. I'd move away and live on campus (because I bussed to school the first time - a sure way to miss out on a ton of campus fun), have a good time, become the campus King, Van Wilder style, and delay my entrance into the real world for a while longer. Plus, there are plenty of movies and TV shows out there that glamorize the college experience to the point that any red blooded male with a slight interest in alcohol, the opposite sex, or both, would fill out applications like there's no tomorrow.

It all sounds great, but there's a dark side to the college/university experience, and it's known as tuition and boarding fees. Higher education, you see, isn't just about learning and parties anymore. It's big, big business. Kids can rack up alarming amounts of debt after a couple years of studying at a far flung school. How would you like to graduate at 21 or 22, ready to start your life, as soon as you deal with that pesky 75 grand the bank is hounding you for? Like the water one might use to get over a college bender, those dollar figures will sober you right up.

Now add this and stir; these days, even tuition paid in full can't guarantee you the education and or party that you paid for. Look at York University, where teacher's unions have held students and the school hostage for months now. The campus stands empty as a pay dispute lingers on, while innocent students, guilty only of paying their money (or their parents, or the banks) in good faith, have both their education and their post secondary experience irreparably damaged.

Then there's this economy trouble you may have heard of. Marking up thousands in debt over four years while working a part time job at best just doesn't seem to be that great an idea anymore.

So I think I'll leave higher education in the past, happy to have had the fun that I did, grateful I made some life long friends and above all, thankful those three years of study paid off with a career.

Comments

[Jessica Kunkel]

You're astute in your observations, and I find your decision to refrain from spending more money admirable. It's amazing to me that you came to this conclusion relatively early; I only had this sort of epiphany following a master's degree.