- I know several people who have gone to college and then did not use their degree. So in that way it can be a real waste of money and time.
- At this point, we don't have the finances for college and I don't want to start out my life with such a large debt.
- I have heard too many stories of Christians whose faith was not the same after college. Some even leave the Christian faith. So I feel that at this time in life, when I am still forming my beliefs, it is better to keep the input positive.
- I am planning on being a stay at home mother, and I don't think college will be the best way to prepare for that.
- Also, as I have stated before, there are so many ways to continue education at home. I am looking into college plus! and CLEP right now.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Why I'm not going to college
No, this isn't to make you girls feel bad about going to college! :) I'm just hoping to lay out my reasons for myself, and anyone else who wonders.
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As a college student myself, I find this topic quite interesting. Despite my being a college guy, I would agree with you on a number of points. Here are some thought on your five reasons:
ReplyDelete1) If one is not going to use the degree, then I agree with you that college can be a "real waste of time and money". College is expensive; even the cheap ones.
2) You don't want to start out your life with a lot of debt? That's great. It looks like I might end up going into debt, although I'd like to avoid as much as possible.
3) This is commendable. The colleges are simply full of evil (I know this to be true) and I can understand your view. One can avoid much of this evil if he lives at home (as opposed to a dorm), but even then it's still all around. Even so, there actually seems to be many believers in college as well; how many of these are really sold out for Christ I don't know. I would say this to you college goers out there, be wary of making even the Christians there your good friends. The Church in America has drifted towards the world in its behavior and general style of living. One must watch himself very carefully in college.
4) You want to be a full-time mother? Sounds great. You don't need a degree for that. :)
5) I thought about College Plus! and CLEP (I've taken one CLEP test that the college I hope to graduate from accepts). College Plus! sounds good; I would be concerned about how much it will help you get a job even though the degree actually comes from some college in NJ. It definately sounds worth a try, though. I would probably recommend it, actually.
God bless,
Benjamin Williams
Interesting thoughts. The decision to go to college or not is a big one... and definitely not the same for everyone. Having gone to college, I understand how expensive it can be. I also know that we serve a God who provides for His children. God blessed me amazingly and allowed me to finish school (at a Christian school) without debt. He is good! I have also seen many stray from their walk with Him during their college years. I have seen this with people that go to college as well as those that don't. I do see it more in college because you have the aspect of dorm life (which is unhealthy in my opinion), as well as much knowledge that is in opposition to God's ways. This can be true even in Christian universities. I ended up living at home all through school (which was a great blessing). While college can have these very negative things, it can also be a wonderful time of growth in the Lord. I was challenged to know God's Word better than ever before so that I would be able to give a Biblically sound answer when faced with a question. God used this time in my life to really put my faith into practice. It wasn't easy though. I think education can be very helpful for a stay at home mom because you have more time with your kids than anyone else. This is a huge blessing and a huge responsibility. It isn't easy training them in the ways of the Lord and preparing them educationally for the future as well. I do think college helps in this. It is by no means for everyone... and the choice to not go to college can be a great choice as well. Where He calls... follow! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Daniel,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your comment! As I said earlier, we like having many different perspectives here.
You said:
"I think education can be very helpful for a stay at home mom because you have more time with your kids than anyone else. This is a huge blessing and a huge responsibility. It isn't easy training them in the ways of the Lord and preparing them educationally for the future as well."
I *whole-heartedly* agree that it is very important for a stay at home mother to be well educated!! It is a huge blessing and a responsibility to raise children. I think that is one of the highest callings God has- to raise eternal souls to live and die for Him. Amazing!
However, am I right in thinking that the education at a college is more "career" focused? In which case, it could change one's attitude toward staying at home: "I spent 2-4 years getting this degree, and now I'm going to just sit here and change diapers and cook and clean??" Do you see what I mean? (I'm not just making this whole idea up... :D Have you ever heard of Jennie Chancey? That happened to her... and then God brought her back.) Just my view on that. :) Also, as I am the oldest of 7, I have gained much experience with childcare just from living here. So in my case, home is a great place to learn about caring for children, etc... :) Also, from reading, learning from other moms, etc... I think one can gain quite an education that way as well.
"Where He calls... follow!" Very good advice!
Yes, I can definitely see that happen. At the same time, I am of the belief that when God calls us to do something, He will not let any of it go to waste. For example, I felt like my US History class was a complete waste of time; however, God used it to help me grow in patience and dependence on Him... I had to leave the results up to Him (Proverbs 16:1). I had to do my best for Him rather than for the grade. While the content of the class felt pretty useless, the things I learned where priceless.
ReplyDeleteAs far as education goes, there are a whole lot of skills that I learned in college that I didn't in high school. For example, accounting. Accounting is very practical when it comes to managing bank accounts and that kind of thing. I learned a lot about good writing which would help me in teaching kids how to write. I learned more about how kids learn and the different ways they learn so that I can be a more effective communicator to them... etc.
Having said that, you can learn these things without the official education. I think it does help when you are preparing a son or daughter for college for example... if you have that experience already, you know what he/her is walking into and can help guide him/her. People have survive for years, training their children in the ways of the Lord... without a college education, but I do think a college education can be helpful in educating your children... you won't be changing diapers all your life... the kids do grow up. :D Again, this is not for everyone, but I hope it gives you an idea of where I am coming from.
“I am of the belief that when God calls us to do something, He will not let any of it go to waste.” Yes, I agree!
ReplyDeleteAnd I also agree that there are many skills that are not normally taught in high school, but are taught in college sometimes. I have been blessed to learn some of those things already. I still have plenty to learn, though. My dad has his own business, so I helped (well, tried to help) with bookkeeping for awhile, and I still pay bills, answer the phone, etc… And I have been blessed tremendously in having a personal writing tutor—free of charge! It’s a long story. I still have quite a ways to go with writing, though. And having six younger siblings has been an education in and of itself in children and the way they learn. So that’s a sampling of the other ways to learn some of those things that you usually learn in college.
I am also teaching William and Matthew how to read, and taught Cheryl how to read awhile ago. Which proved to be pretty successful… we can hardly get her to stop reading now. She reads books that I read. But it was definitely the program that we use, not me. And now that I’ve graduated, I hope to help my mom with teaching. She wants me to do a writing class. So I have the opportunity to get some hands on experience with homeschooling.
Anyway, basically I believe that for me, this is the best option. My main reason for believing that is that my father is glad that I am staying at home. Not that he would prevent me from going to college… but he prefers me staying at home.
And as I am under his protection and guidance, and he is under God’s, I feel that this is where God has me at this time in my life. Maybe He will eventually call me to go to college—who knows? But for now, I am content to stay at home and continue my education here.
“I think it does help when you are preparing a son or daughter for college for example... if you have that experience already, you know what he/her is walking into and can help guide him/her.” Haha, I guess I’ll have to marry someone who’s been to college. :D
Thank you again for bringing this up. It’s really helped me to think through all of this.
And I hope that this all made sense. :) If not, please ask me to clarify.
Oh, and the squares are actually smiles. I typed in on word and that is what they turned into on here. :)
ReplyDeleteThat totally makes sense and I agree. I think both are logical decisions... but they must be made by His leading. God leads us in the best way in order to grow us into the people He wants us to be--some to college, others to the work force, and others at home. God has worked without colleges for years... I think He can function just fine without them. ;) I do find that He uses them as well.
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me!
ReplyDeleteI think we'll leave it at that. :)