Contemplating the Value of College: My Personal Experience

The question of whether college was worth it has been a source of ongoing contemplation for me, and to be honest, I still haven’t arrived at a definitive answer. However, I can speak to what college meant for me personally.

For four years, college was essentially a vacation. I went into it without a clear idea of what I wanted to study or pursue as a career and mainly attended because it was expected of me after graduating from a private high school where almost all of my classmates went on to college. I was fortunate enough to have step-parents who could help cover the costs.

While I did participate in various extracurricular activities during my time in college, such as joining a running club and walking onto the track team, I don’t recall much from the actual lectures and coursework. My most vivid memories are of social experiences, such as parties and meeting lifelong friends.

Looking back, I do wish I had taken more classes and finished my degree in three years instead of four. I also regret putting so much emphasis on maintaining a high GPA, as it ultimately had no bearing on my ability to secure a job. In hindsight, I would have taken more credits per semester, even if it meant sacrificing some points on my cumulative GPA.

Despite these qualms, I can confidently say that the University of Oregon, which was my dream school, provided me with an enjoyable college experience. The campus was beautiful, my mental health was good, and I took advantage of the campus facilities, such as the rec center. Moreover, I am grateful for the friendships I made during that time, which make it all worthwhile.

In conclusion, for me, college was a four-year vacation, and although the degree itself may not have been particularly valuable in terms of finding employment, I am proud to have completed it for my parents’ sake. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to graduate with relatively little debt.