Bells ring and students flood the hallways. Days seem to repeat themselves while the weather changes, and the end of the year arrives quicker than what high schoolers think. Many seniors’ high school careers are packed with applications for scholarships, recommendation letters from teachers, and college applications. 

   Although college is on the minds of many young teens, there has always been a question of whether or not a postsecondary education is needed. 

   Some concerns regarding college are mainly related to the risk of the cost, and the worthiness of the reward that comes with earning a college degree. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics posted in 2023, show employment rates ranging from a professional degree to those with no high school diploma. From professional degrees ranging to some college education, the unemployment rates are likely to be 13.9 percent unemployed. Whereas those with a high school diploma and no high school diploma are 9.7 percent unemployed. 

   The data also includes the U.S. median weekly earnings for the level of education as well. With a professional degree to some level of college education, the earning is about $8,005. However, those with a high school diploma and less were reported to have a weekly earning of $1,283. 

   Between having post secondary education and completing high school, higher education does not completely equal a person’s success. Colleges tend to value those who already have careers in mind. 

   While college is a commitment that is oftentimes seen as a risk of financial loss, or a financial gain, there are many benefits to be talked about as well. 

   Some benefits may include transferable workforce skills, higher earnings, higher rates of employment, and social skills through networking. The main point of college is to help people pursue their dream career. 

   While here in the D.C. Everest, personal interests and electives are not prominent until eighth grade. Many of these classes in the D.C. Everest Senior High School may include courses in Technology and Education, Art, Creative Writing I, Personal Defense I,  and lastly Film and Photography classes. These classes help students engage and explore their interests. Many of them have advanced courses like Advanced Art, Creative Writing II, and multiple Personal Defense courses like II, III, and IIV.

   Completing college allows people the benefits of job security, along with job satisfaction. However, some people muck it up as a “waste of time” since it takes time to earn college degrees. 

   Though college is a factor of how one’s future will look like, the commitment to college is always difficult. Taking a gap year after high school ends is usually something that people believe is discouraging. 

   With the time provided by the gap year, you can use it to advance your social skills and figure out your true passions. Some ways to use the gap year for success may be through volunteer work, or traveling abroad for academic purposes.

   Nonetheless, success in an individual’s life does not equate to higher education. It is important to understand that college is not an option for strictly graduating high schoolers. Colleges do not have a certain age limit when applying, although adult students or older applicants may have to go through a different process.