Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college, I have one piece of advice: don't graduate. Yes. You heard me. Don't graduate. I'm sure dozens of intelligent people have told you that you need to go to college and get good grades so you can get a good job that will provide good benefits. Well, the bad news about all of this good news is that it is cruel propaganda.

Let me explain why. Year after year, I watch you work hard and earn good grades (some of you, at least). You receive honors and awards for your achievements. You eventually graduate and your family comes to your graduation--with gifts and balloons. Once graduation is over, reality drops. There are few good jobs for you. You move back home to live with your parents (assuming that you left in the first place). Initially, you have to work jobs that seldom pay well or have anything to do with your major. Those darn student loan people start calling to remind you about your huge debt and all the special programs you qualify for if you are "experiencing problems meeting your debt obligations." You discover that you still have some choices. You can settle for a decent job that pays the bills. You can marry, have children, and spend the rest of your life suspended between debt and death. Or, you can go back to college to graduate all over again.

I'm here to say-don't do it. Don't graduate twice. In fact, don't even graduate once. Instead, I strongly urge you to do something even better and that is "get educated." If you are confused, then this is a sign that you have probably graduated without being educated. Let me make my point more concrete.

Do you remember hearing stories about athletes who somehow made it through high school without ever learning how to read or write? Of course, you do. I bet you were just as shocked as everybody else. How in the world could this happen? Didn't somebody know? Of course, somebody knew. Somebody always knows. But knowing did little to stop those athletes from parading across the stage at graduation-with a diploma.

They graduated, but they weren't educated.

So, here's the kicker (and you are not going to like it).

For one moment, I want you to imagine that you are an athlete who graduated uneducated or undereducated. Guess what? This isn't make-believe. You are that athlete and the athlete is you! Sure, you probably have an A average. You can read poems in Latin while doing hat tricks, and you are probably on your way to a prestigious university. The fact of the matter is that none of your magnificent attributes really matter. You and the athlete are in the same boat. He is situated at one end and you at another. However, it is the same boat. You both graduated and you both have the diploma to prove it. In spite of your differences, both of you have been reduced to the same level. How does this happen? When you figure out the answer, you will be on the road toward educating yourself and maybe a few others as well.

For now, I just hope that you can see the gap between graduating and being educated. No longer do you have to wait and hope someone will explain this complicated reality to you. If you decide you absolutely have to go college, then you must graduate with an education. If not, you will spend the rest of your life in that boat and it's harder to get out than you think.

J.K. Dennis is the author of "9 Lessons for a Meaningful Life." To learn more about the book, visit http://www.atlasbooks.com/3hp/index.html#titles. Questions and comments can be sent to 9lessons@3hp.us.

---

Aurel Voiculescu Memories From High School

High School Ion Minulescu, Slatina, Graduates 1991.Clasa XII A, Baboi Cristian, Becea Marian, Bratoi Sorin Cristian, Constantinescu Marian, Constantinescu Catalin, Cojac Daniel Reghina, Dan Marius Silviu, Danescu Ana, Dinca Cecilia Violeta, Florescu Eugen... Read More

Business and Academia!

The driving factor of any university is to make the students understand the business needs of today and equip them for a better tomorrow. This means there has to be a constant inflow... Read More

Mind-Body Secrets for College Success - Six Key Secrets

Embrace the secrets of the body-mind connection and tap into an inexhaustible supply of power and energy leading to your college success. College is a demanding challenge. The role of the physical body... Read More

Student Financial Guide is Your Guide to College Success

The Student Financial Guide website is divided into categories pertaining to pre college resources, during college experiences, post college challenges, investing, news, and even a forum where you can chat with other members... Read More

How Parents Can Help Allieviate The Stress of Getting Into College

Getting into college is a stressful experience for most high school students. However, there are steps that parents can take to help alleviate the stress and make the experience more positive. To begin... Read More

9 Lessons for Success in College - That Actually Make Sense

Most students know what it takes to be successful in college because some genius told them already. But here's the news flash: The prescription probably won't work. Why? Free advice is usually forgettable... Read More

Facing Your Fears as an Adult Returning to School

In case you hadn't noticed, career colleges aren't just for learning a vocational trade anymore. Nowadays, career colleges can help you obtain a Bachelor's, Master's, or even Doctorate Degree in just about any... Read More

Packing for College

Sending a child away for college and helping them pack brings up so many emotions and memories. As you remember back to your days in college or anticipate their days, don't forget some... Read More

I Hate My Roommate!

So its the beginning of the school year, your first day of class is over, and you just want to sit down and relax for a moment because you know that the rest... Read More

Natural Healing Schools

What are NATURAL HEALING SCHOOLS? Natural Healing Schools teach natural medicine that are holistic approaches that rely on natural remedies. Sunlight, air, and water are thought of as natural healers; this, along with... Read More

The Distance Learning Explosion!

A generation ago few would have given much thought to educating themselves apart from a 'brick and mortar' educational institution. Certainly, for several generations, correspondence courses allowed people to gain knowledge while studying... Read More

Self Marketing 101 - Why Students Should Tell Lies

Everybody lies, and storytellers are some of the best liars around. But here is the problem: People like storytellers. They hate liars. The meaning is similar but different. In the South, storytellers sit... Read More

How to Survive First Year Engineering

So you just got accepted in your engineering program?joy, but you are still doubtful. You ask yourself, could I actually handle the stress, the sleepless nights, the solitary life style and the Exams?... Read More

Academia Fraud and Brain Washing Cartels

Many have a tough time listening to the scientists debate amongst themselves and laugh at the peer reviews. With puffed up chests they publish or perish and there is lots of competition in... Read More

Pre-Bachelor

The program should be one term, two terms or three terms (1 year). This program is meant for students who lack the necessary language skills to start the first-year bachelor program, the course... Read More

Government Research Procurement Fails to Bring Efficient Bidders

Many have complained of the Government's procurement process for research proposals. It is totally flawed. Instead of giving bids to entrepreneurs who know how to get things done on the fly, they so... Read More

Parents: Take the SAT Challenge!

I keep a box of tissues on the table where I tutor because, as an SAT tutor and college application consultant, I listen to high school juniors and seniors who are so overwhelmed... Read More

Dont Graduate - What Students Should Know About College, But No One Ever Tells Them

For all the students even dreaming about going to college, I have one piece of advice: don't graduate. Yes. You heard me. Don't graduate. I'm sure dozens of intelligent people have told you... Read More

An Online Degree Has Never Been Easier to Obtain

Online education is steadily gaining acceptance in the academic world and more people than ever are completing courses online, working toward a degree. Online education at the higher level is no longer looked... Read More

Online Education Has The Power To Transform Lives And Fulfill Dreams

Online education is a dramatic development in the advancement of distance learning. A century ago, a person without access to a school or training program could sometimes get the information that they desired... Read More

Balancing College Life and Academics

1. Control Your Schedule; Don't Let Your Schedule Control YouOrganization and time management skills are two of the most valuable skills you will ever have. One of the first things you should do... Read More

Get Your College Degree Online

Have you long wanted or needed to increase your level of education with a college degree? Perhaps, you have desired a degree for your own personal satisfaction or because you have found it... Read More

What Makes A Penn State Online Degree Preferable To Other Online Degrees?

A Penn State online degree is a college degree from Penn State University that is offered through the Internet. This is equivalent to a degree received from the traditional on-site Penn State University,... Read More

The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses

What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across America? Thousands of Christian students are losing their faith and non-Christian students are becoming entrenched in their unbelief. Why is this happening? Have... Read More

Why are Some Online Degree Colleges Better than Others?

Any student who is on the lookout for online degree colleges would probably have been swamped with the many options marketed to them over the internet. Therefore, it is not a wonder that... Read More

Life-Long Students Make More Money

You may not miss eating Ramen noodles everyday, but you are doing yourself a huge disservice if you have completely forgotten every aspect of the student lifestyle. Students learned and studied everyday -... Read More

Do Best Friends Make the Best College Roommates?

Do best friends make the best college roommates? Not always! It's amazing how the quirky things you used to like about your best friend can begin to drive you crazy when you're around... Read More

Oustanding Business Professors at WVU, Part 1

Paula Bone is a marketing professor who teaches "Consumer Behavior" and "Marketing Strategy" at West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics. Classes filled with lots of theory can be intimidating... Read More

Submitting The College Application

At this point, except for the waiting, the worst is basically over! However, the way you submit the student's stuff is just about as important as the stuff that's being submitted!The correct order... Read More