Is College Worth It?

The question many students ask is do I really need college to be successful? What are my options? Here are a few tips to finding out if college will be worth it for you.

1. Do your research. One of the most important things you can do is research your career options. Don't just research how much the job pays, but take a close look at the steps needed to reach that goal. Websites like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics can give you detailed information on various careers including how much education is required.

2. College is an investment and in some cases you can get a return on that investment. Ask yourself if you are willing to make an investment in your future? Do you think the investment will be worth it? For some career choices that require a college education, it may be.  In some cases, it is not. Define your short and long term goals. Does college make sense for your desired career goal? What are the facts?

3. Take advantage of opportunities to ask questions. Don't just wait for your college or high school counselor to give you information. Make an effort to ask professionals and college students in your life for advice.

4. Are you a good student? A good student can be developed with the right attitude. If you want to do well in college, you must be willing to develop the skills to do so. If you are not sure, start off by taking a course at your local community college, and/or consider speaking with an advisor to determine if a trade would be better for you.

5. Learn about finances. Do your best to find out as much as you can about financial aid, scholarships, grants, student loan forgiveness, etc. Develop a budget and savings plan as early as you can. Talking to someone who specializes in this will prove to be beneficial.

6. What do you think? At the end of the day, you are the only one who can make the decision to further your education and you are the only one who can decide if it is worth it or not. There is negative information out there and there is a positive information. You must take a balanced look at what will work best for your life and your goals. Dream big and don't let the fear of the unknown hold you back.