Choosing a College Degree

Many people mistakenly think that a college degree will automatically give you a higher salary throughout your career, but then end up dropping out because they can’t afford the degree itself. They also end up with a mountain of debt, and nothing to show for it. Instead of falling into this trap, come up with a list of goals and options to reach them, and then pick a degree that will help you along the way effectively.

What‘s your primary goal?

When you’re planning what degree to take, you should be thinking about the long-term, and what career path you want to take. You’ll naturally want a job that pays well, but many people fail to see past this. If you only choose a job based on earnings, you might end up doing something you hate, and are therefore much more likely to quit and end up back where you started. It’s equally important to choose a career that’s based around something you enjoy. You should also ensure you’re setting realistic goals- everyone has limits, and understanding those at an early stage will help prevent you from making the wrong choice.

Are you really ready?

College is a big challenge, and a serious commitment, so you need to be certain you are ready for it before you start. College costs a lot of money, so you’ll want to know you aren’t going to drop out and let all that money go to waste. Furthermore, your final grade is something you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life- even if you take a year out, you’ll still be stuck with the same ones.

You have to ask yourself before you even think about enrolling if you have the time any money to go to college, too. If you’re holding down a full-time job, then you probably won’t be able to fit 20 hours of class and study time into your already busy routine. College is a commitment that can last anywhere between 2 and 10 years, depending on which route you take, and requires you to do a lot of hard work to get the most value for money. You’ll also be saddled with a lot of debt once you graduate, which is something you might have trouble paying back if you aren’t careful.

Which kind of college is right for you?

Once you’ve decided you are ready for college, you’ll then need to choose exactly where you are going to apply. With tens of thousands of institutions in the U.S. alone, and countless more in other countries, you certainly have a lot of choice. Your decision should largely be based on what it is you want to study at college, and which institutions have the best reputation. However, if you think you’ve made the wrong choice once you get there, there’s no need to worry. All colleges and universities allow students to transfer in and out of programs, so you don’t have to do your full degree in one place if you don’t want to. You should bear in mind that community colleges let you get a taste of your course for far less money, and you then have the option of carrying on your studies somewhere else.

If you are unable to travel to a college, or want to study at your own pace, then taking an online course os also a great option. Many schools now offer this service, and you can study all the way up to a PhD in this manner!