https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:06:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-429750 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:45:51 +0000 JerricaBenton 429750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say it's pretty much non-negotiable to us, unless there is a really good reason/alternate plan. While I am not, and probably won't use my degree going forward - I think the college experience is invaluable. I lived on my own, managed my life, traveled, was able to navigate relationships without my parents around, etc. I did work for a few years after college at good jobs that I wouldn't have had if I didn't have a college degree, and of course those experiences were important even if they didn't end up building up to a lifelong career. I feel like even though I don't 'use' my degree in the workforce, I use the things I learned in and out of the classroom everyday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-429729 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:36:52 +0000 LazyLightning 429729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hubs and I have graduate degrees, and this goes back several generations in the family. So I would expect them to go to college unless they had a very good contingency plan (as others said, a great talent or skill that doesn't require college). One thing is for sure, they won't be permitted to come home and live with us if they can't get a job. It wasn't an option for us and it won't be for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428971 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:16:07 +0000 ladyfingers 428971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's non-negotiable for us. Unless you have CRAZY talent and skill in an area that doesn't always require a college degree -- like computer programming -- or a trade like auto repair, I think it's almost impossible these days to get a job without a college degree. I don't think that the benefits of college necessarily equate to what they should these days -- a higher salary, better opportunities -- but unfortunately it is what it is. It's hard enough to find a job, I wouldn't want LO to have one more stumbling block. Of course, a lot can change in 18 years, so we'll see where the world is then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428792 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 07:57:03 +0000 ValentineMommy 428792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel it's pretty much non-negotiable. Not just for education experience, but for LIFE experience. I did 95% of my maturing in college. </p> <p>Also, looking at myself and DH, our careers directly reflect our education level. I went to college (and grad school), and DH did not. I make at least 4x what he does and had made a much more stable environment for myself at a much younger age as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428726 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 03:42:18 +0000 808love 428726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I believe university education is a valued extension of learning and maturing. The whole process launches kids into adulthood and further prepares them with a whole bunch of skills/strategies that will highly likely benefit them. Unless there was a huge reason not to go--such as recruited in high school, straight into a field of gifting-- then, it's a must-do.</p> <p>*Sidenote re: articles: I do think there is a college bubble and some courses are a waste of time. But I do think the college dropout millionaire is an exception and I started reading Steve Jobs' biography...he and a bunch of Siliconers came across great intellectual opportunity in their youth. I think most of our Joe Averages will need college to advance themselves into a good place unless they are accelerating in other ways in high school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428722 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 03:15:38 +0000 London Mama 428722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am open minded on this, I have slowly been changing my mind over the past few years and now believe that higher education is not for everyone. I am highly educated myself and earn a high salary in a typical office job, DH on the other hand barely scraped through high school but has his own business and is successful on his own. There is a lot to be said for making your own way in the world, having your own business can mean more money and more freedom compared to a salaried "wage slave" job.</p> <p>If you'd asked me a few years ago I would have said university was a non-negotiable but now I can see that it can become a debt trap if you're unlucky and may not result in higher earnings. Having said that, I'll still be saving for a college fund. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428720 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 02:03:27 +0000 HLK208 428720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Non-negotiable. DH didn't go to college...his family never talked about it or saved a dime for their childrens education. He now works insane hours but he does a job that requires a bachelors degree, he just lucked out and became certified through the company he is with. I almost completed my bachelors but I didn't know what to do with my degree so I took a different path and once that happened, I had DS. My parents expected me to go to college but they paid for my 3 older sisters college educations and by the time it was my turn, they were out of resources. </p> <p>I want my children's lives to be full of opportunity. I want them to be independent so I really don't think college is a waste of time. A degree to fall back on us a sense of security and the experience is worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428718 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 01:51:48 +0000 jedeve 428718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the benefits of college exceed what job you get. Broadened horizons, moving outside of your comfort zone intellectually, gaining social skills (not just maturing, but learning to operate more complex social interactions, like organizing an event or teaching a class), becoming cultured, etc. are really important. Some people can do it on their own, but I know I would have not been able to develop into who I am today without college. I can't require an 18 year old to do anything, but I can't imagine that within our family and social circle we would end up with a kid who was really anti college. I hope that no matter what they want to do, dance or art or science or write, we would be able to find a school that fits them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428653 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 23:28:10 +0000 yoursilverlining 428653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>College is an expectation for LO; like it was for both of us. It's basically non-negotiable. Education is never a waste. Even if you are a SAHM or plan to be one; the reality of life is that your husband could leave you, could die, could become disabled, or simply might not earn enough to support everyone. There are some people who are financially successful without a college education, but the majority of employers and jobs require a BA just to get your foot in the door. </p> <p>I do think the entire US college system needs to be overhauled though. I'd like to see tuition addressed, as well as more regulation of fly-by-night "career schools" like Kaplan, U. Phoenix and other for-profits which are not the same as traditional college/university. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428525 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 21:31:05 +0000 MsMini 428525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Post-secondary school in some form (not necessarily college/university) will be an expectation for our children (as it was in my family). </p> <p>There are always outliers, but statistically, people with a post-secondary education earn more than those without. I don't care if is a diploma, trade ticket, or degree, but I expect my kids to do something education-wise after high school.</p> <p>I definitely don't think college or university is the end all, be all, but I think it is definitely more difficult to succeed with just a high school diploma. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428499 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 21:11:13 +0000 Bao 428499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went to college but I am a SAHM, so I'm not sure if in all cases its worth it because I have huge student loans that my DH is responsible for paying now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428467 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:38:47 +0000 T.H.O.U. 428467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sil and I differ on this. We will be planning a college fund an building the expectation the college is required however like Bee said if there is a better plan in place I might be more lenient. </p> <p>I think a lot is the "college experience". At 18 I don't think most kids are ready for a career and real life. college gives them a chance to mature and gain knowledge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428272 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:50:25 +0000 Foodnerd81 428272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@anonysquire: I guess that makes sense-- most people I know (here in the Northeast) don't have babies until their late twenties at the earliest anyway, so I see the difference. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428262 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:45:13 +0000 Bookish 428262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is negotiable. I went to college and am in grad school but DH didn't, and he has a much more lucrative career with more opportunities. We decided that if LO has other plans, such as the military or a trade school, provided there is a future in it, we would be ok with them skipping college. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428261 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:45:09 +0000 SweetMamaM 428261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our situation in NZ is a little different so I say no.<br /> We don't have colleges, we have universities and polytechnics. Students either go to university to complete a three year bachelor degree (subject specific) and additional higher qualifications; or they go to a polytechnic or other tertiary provider to complete trade courses with 1 year certificate or 2 year diploma courses.<br /> With the options post high-school being so subject-specific, I'm not a fan of ushering kids into tertiary institutions just so they are "doing something"; there's not the same opportunity to do a generalised programme as there is in the American system. I'd much rather my future children took a gap year to decide what they really wanted to do rather than take a tertiary course that they weren't sure about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428260 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:45:05 +0000 anonysquire 428260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I was just meaning in my culture. Most girls get married right outta high school or in college and then start having babies. My sister graduated high school with an associated degree, then went to college for 2 years to get an interior design degree and hasn't worked in that field and now is due in 2 months. It seems like everyone around here gets their degrees and then cant find a job in their field. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428257 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:42:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 428257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's non-negotiable for us. Neither of us would be where we are without a degree by a long shot. My specific degree didn't exactly help with my specific job, but just having a degree made a huge difference. </p> <p>@anonysquire: I hear what you are saying, but I really don't think a college degree is a waste for a SAHM. 1) what if you don't get married and have kids right away anyway? 2) most people I know work for a while before having kids. 3) I learned a lot and had a lot of life experiences in college, so even if I never "use my degree" again I still think it was worth it. But I wanted to go to college, I could see not forcing the issue if the kid just really didn't want to, I guess. What about for boys, though? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428238 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:30:37 +0000 matador84 428238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it is. It gives you something to fall back on just in case. If one decides not to get a college degree, and then one day decides they want a career where they need a college degree, it would be better to have it than not have it. I see this as the case in MANY, MANY of the students' parents' that I teach. The majority have either a GED, HS diploma or dropped out. Now, they realize that having a college degree in many cases is the way out of living an impoverished life... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428233 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 17:26:14 +0000 anonysquire 428233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my culture I say no. Everyone ends up a stay at home mom, so I really see no point in wasting 4 years of time and money to be a stay at home mom. Both my parents did not go to college so I am kind of against college anyways. I went and am glad I did, but I dont plan on being a stay at home mom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428201 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 16:47:44 +0000 blackbird 428201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it heavily depends on what you go for. I think more people need to approach college with a "bang for your buck" mentality and weigh what you will likely make with the cost of the education. There are a lot of people going to college for fluffy majors that will never do them much good, financially speaking. But a high school degree is just not enough to support your family on, most of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428196 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 16:43:03 +0000 Andrea 428196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They can skip if they're on a path to doing something that really doesn't require a degree. But if they're at the end of high school, and unsure what to do, I would definitely want them in college. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428162 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 16:16:56 +0000 brownie 428162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They have to have some sort of follow on to High School. They can do apprenticeship or trade school but they have to not stop learning. I am hoping that the college industry does get modified. I would want some degrees that are good 2 year degrees and some that are 4. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428161 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 16:16:29 +0000 doodlepoodle 428161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree, it's not a necessity but I really enjoyed my college experience (maybe a little too much LOL)...granted my current job does not require a college degree and I can't find any in my town that I'll actually use my degree. DH is 31 and a sophomore in college, he actually made more money before working in the oil fields but didn't want to be away from his family, so it's worth it to have him home now. Just depends on the situation :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428152 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 16:09:24 +0000 autumnlove 428152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel the same as Mr. Bee but I hope they want to go! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428146 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 16:04:51 +0000 mrbee 428146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's negotiable for me! But only if there's a real plan in place for an alternative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-college-worth-it#post-428135 Sun, 02 Dec 2012 15:53:51 +0000 honeybear 428135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This article discusses an interesting issue. I realize that most of us won't face this particular question for a while! </p> <p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/fashion/saying-no-to-college.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/fashion/saying-no-to-college.html</a></p> <p>Here's another article (that was published before the NY Times piece): <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/09/09/megan-mcardle-on-the-coming-burst-of-the-college-bubble.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/09/09/megan-mcardle-on-the-coming-burst-of-the-college-bubble.html</a></p> <p>Is going to college likely to be a non-negotiable for your LO(s)? </p>