Why I Don't Go to College

 
  At the beginning of this month I asked my readers to comment with their thoughts about attending college and also promised to share my own. You readers provided me with intriguing feedback - now it's time for me to carry through on my end! I would like to tell you why I have so far chosen not to go to college. My reasons include lack of interest, lack of need, and personal life goals and convictions. In explaining these to you, my intention is not to bash those who do  go to college or to suggest that no one should go. Instead, I hope to show you that my choice to not attend an institute of higher learning was a good choice for me, as well as for others who made the same decision.


  First of all, I have no desire or calling to go to college. When I graduated high school at age sixteen, I didn't want to go. Nearly four years later, I still don't want to. Though I wish there were more eloquent words to say than "I don't want to go", it's the truth. The Lord has not nudged me towards attending college and my own heart does not yearn for it. In modern times, society puts a lot of emphasis on "following our hearts". While I don't believe in governing my life solely according to my feelings, let's say for the sake of argument that I, with good intentions, simply follow my heart. I still wouldn't be in college.
 
  The second reason that I don't attend college might come as a shock to you - I don't need to go! Yes, I recognize that having a degree is good and necessary for many professions and that society places an amount of value on degrees. I also realize that many people go to college for the experience. Despite these facts, I have not found a personal need to go. Ambitions that I might pursue it for would be to have a certain career, get a job that would make me wealthy (though this isn't working for many people), or simply to take part in the college experience. None of these reasons appeal to me. I'm neither a career driven person nor someone who is worried about making enough money to live the ever-illusive American dream. As far as the "experience" argument goes, there are plenty of life experiences to be had outside of college. In addition to that, while I'm sure there are positive experiences to be had in college, there are also guaranteed negative ones that I'd prefer to avoid.
 
  My third reason for not pursuing school is really just an extension of the previous one. This reason is that what I truly desire and work towards in my life doesn't require that I attend a university. I sincerely hope to get married. Being a wife and mother doesn't require a Master's, a Bachelor's, or "college experience". Instead, I prepare by earning money as a babysitter and housekeeper, helping my mother maintain our household, and teaching children at my church. Above my desire to get married is the overarching ambition of my life. This is to love and serve my Lord and to love others as He would have me to, regardless of my marital or educational status. Though success in the world's eyes may include college education, success in God's eyes is living a life of faithfulness to Him wherever life takes us. Though He should be a part of each of our decisions, keep in mind that He is less concerned about whether or not a person attends college and more concerned about their faithfulness to His word.

  As you know, I am not the only person who has had the chance to attend college and decided not to go. There are many people in my own life who have either not pursued or not completed a college degree. Rather than being lazy and useless, they are living meaningful lives. None of them have high-profile careers or millions of dollars but they are by no means impoverished because of their lack of schooling. They are hard workers, faithful parents, wise leaders, and godly men and women. Their lives are not a failure, and they haven't thrown away the greatest opportunity that they could possibly have. Instead, they have lived as the individuals God made them to be and striven to serve Him, whatever their circumstances. Though going to college may have been the right decision for others, it wasn't for them, and that's okay.
 
  Now you know the basic reasons that I have for not choosing to attend college. It has not been necessary to fulfill my individual desires, needs, or life of service to God. This doesn't mean that I think it shouldn't be part of your journey. In the end, it's up to each of  us to make the choice whether or not to go. I encourage you to make your choice wisely, not simply following the other fish in the stream. Whatever you do, know that the Lord has given you a story to live out that is unlike any other person's, and go live it for Him.

To see the original post in which readers shared their views click HERE. 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

II Timothy 2:15