Reasons Not to Go to College

You’re looking for a few reasons not to go to college?

Or asking yourself “Should I go to college?”

A question everyone asks themselves at some point in life.

Because from the start of elementary school, you’re told, “if you wanna make it in life, you gotta go to college!”

And in high school, crunch time’s here. Now you gotta decide which school to attend and nd what to major in.

But, college isn’t something that should be taken lightly. And the choices you make at the young, tender age of 18 are a lifetime commitment you may not be ready for.

So, I’m going to try and convince you not to go. And if you still reaaaallllyyy wanna at the end, I’ll give you some tips on how to do it right.

Let’s do it!

16 Reasons Not to Go to College

1. The Obvious Reason – That Shit is Expensive!

I’m sure you’ve already heard how expensive college is. The average cost of college per student in the United States is $35,720 per year!

And if you plan on going to college for 4 years, you’ll be spending this amount of money every year to attend some classes.

Who the hell thought it was a good idea to go into $142,880 of debt before interest kicks in as a teenager? Life wtf!

Your life hasn’t even really started yet and you’re already behind with debt.

You can use this money to buy a house!

And if you find some really good deals maybe even two houses.

So as you can see, college is a crazy expensive investment. Yes, it often pays sometimes if you actually finish and get a good degree.

Like Nursing, Engineering, Computer Scientist, etc.

But if you graduate with a degree that’s “not in demand,” you’ll be in debt to the government or private student loan companies for years to come.

And I’m sure you don’t look forward to that.

2. You’ll Be in Debt to The Government and Private Lenders

The government doesn’t play when it comes to their money!

Especially the IRS.

So if it ever crossed your mind to not pay them back in the future, I wanna give you a heads up – your ass is about to be on the line.

Going into any sort of debt with the government is like having a monkey on your back.

If you choose not to pay your student loans, the interest will continue to pile up. And eventually, the government will find a way to get that get their money back.

They might even take a percentage of your wages.

And don’t get me started on private lenders. They’ll ruin your credit if you miss one payment. And make more than double or even triple by the time you’re done paying them back.

So yeah, that $142,880 of debt for 4 years of college I mentioned earlier, go on and double that amount.

That’s right, you’ll end up paying them well over $285,760 altogether.

So, to avoid being in debt to the government, and private lenders, avoid going to college or wait until you’re 100% sure you’re ready.

3. You Have No Freaking Idea What to Major In

Most of the time, people somewhat know what they want to go to school for.

But, once in college, they find other majors interesting. Or they might fail a few classes they need for their course of study.

Which leads to them switching majors several times throughout college.

So, before going to college, make sure you know what kind of career you want to do for the rest of your life.

Because switching majors more than once will leave you in more debt and attending college longer than you have to.

And it’s another reason not to go to college.

4. It’s Essential to Work While You’re Young

There are plenty of young adults attending college and working at the same time.

If you decide to do this, yes, it will be harder. You have one more “thing” you have to focus on. And going to school full-time and working full-time can cause a lot of stress.

Plus, you’re young.

You want to live and enjoy your time. Instead of going to college, take this time to work and save money. Stay debt-free and live ya life.

And if you don’t go to college, save, and invest the money you earned, you’ll be years ahead of your friends, graduating with a ton of debt years later.

5. You’re Not Ready to Go Back to School

Did you often find yourself slacking in high school?

If you did, going right back to school after graduating may not be the best decision. And definitely not right away. You should figure something else out or take some time off.

College courses are demanding and not really exciting.

And you’re not ready mentally or academically for the heavy workload university-level courses come with.

Seriously, three-hour-long “lab courses” suck.

So if If you’re worried about how much harder the courses are, then it might be best to hold off on college for a while.

And it’s a great reason not to go to college.

6. Trade School is Often Better

Trade schools don’t often get discussed.

But they’re awesome and hands-on. And I want to make sure you know about them. People are starting to accept and change their views on trade schools as well.

Many believe it’s as good or even better than college.

Trade school allows you to learn an in-demand skill and increases your chances of finding a job and getting paid as soon as you finish the program.

And there are a lot of trade skills that pay very well.

Here are some great Trades you can learn and make good $$$ from:

• Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN)
• HVAC Technician
• Automatic Service Tech
• Welder
• Plumber
• Electrician
• Dental Hygienist
• Carpentry
• Construction Work

So instead of going to college, consider going back to school for a trade skill.

7. Even After Graduating College You Still May Not Find a Job

A college degree may provide you with a great career.

But it’s always a possibility you may not find a job once done.

And it can also take years for you to find a job in the industry you just got a brand new degree in. So more than likely… you’re going to be working in a career or job that has nothing to do with your degree.

This is very much what happens to most college graduates.

Most of the students you see at the many different colleges are just wasting their time going to college for a piece of paper!

They’re NEVER gonna really use it.

And this is often why people regret ever going to college. What’s the point of going to school if you can’t find a job doing what you’d like?

That’s a reason not to go to college.

Because when done, you’ve literally wasted tens of thousands of dollars, with no way to really pay it back. You’re robbing money from your future to pay for the “education” you got years before.

Leaving you broke, in debt, and struggling to find a job!

8. You May Still Have to Depend on Your Parents

If you choose to attend college and decide not to work, you’ll still have to depend on your parents financially.

And mom and dad might not be in the best financial shape to help you out.

Because from the moment you were born, you’ve been economically dependent on them.

Yes, they chose to have you, and they love you to the fullest.

But I’m sure they’d much rather you work, figure things out, and provide for yourself. Be an adult and stand on your own two feet.

So instead of choosing to go to college, take some time to work while you’re young. That way you won’t have to go asking mom and dad for everything you want and need.

And in the process, you’ll also be gaining knowledge on managing your money correctly and becoming financially independent.

9. You Consider Yourself Successful Already

You may already have a skill and can be on a career path you think is successful.

Think about it!

Writers, artists, musicians, and influencers are successful in their own way. They make a decent amount of money and live a debt-free life.

College is there to label you and put you in a box. And it supposedly helps prepare you for the workforce.

But if you find yourself doing something you already love, why waste your time going to college?

Especially for something you might NOT love. It makes more sense to continue doing what you love. You already have a reason not to go to college.

Even if it pays less than the 9-5, you’d get right out of college.

Because after years of learning, building, and doing something you love, I’m pretty sure you’ll find a way to make more money from it.

10. You Think It’s “The Right Thing To Do”

Your parents and teachers are telling you going to college is the right thing to do.

But they might not know any better. Growing up, that was likely the only option available for them.

But look around. Times have changed.

There are a lot more opportunities out there for you than just going off to college.

Them telling you to go off to college is the right thing might make you start to believe this. And deep down inside you know you don’t want to attend college.

So if this is you, then don’t go to school. Take some time to figure out what you would like to do with your life.

You may decide to become a writer, a yoga instructor, or something completely different.

You may even want to travel the world while you’re young and experience other cultures. Going to college to make others happy will leave you unhappy.

Instead, seek happiness. Listen to your heart because you deserve to experience your life the way you want.

Those experiences alone are a good reason not to go to college.

11. You Only Care About Making Lots of Money

Yes, it’s true you can make a lot of money having a college degree.

But if this is the only thing you’re concerned about then college may not be for you. In order to enjoy college, you have to have a passion for learning.

If you don’t have a passion for learning, then it’s best to avoid going. There are careers you don’t have to go to school to make lots of money from.

Here are some ideas for you:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or Ultrasound Technician
• Computer Support Specialist
• Sales
• Pharmacy Technician
• Radiologic Technologist
• Occupational Therapy Aide
• Medical Records and Health Information Technician

These jobs and careers are just as rewarding and meaningful as the ones you can get going to college.

12. You Have a Family

Family’s a big reason not to go to college.

Attending college while having to take care of family is hard.

You have no choice but to work and provide for your elderly parents or children. You also have to give them a lot of your undivided attention. And this leaves little time for studying.

Trying to struggle with college and taking care of your family will affect your mental health.

And keep you from spending precious time with your family.

Yes, plenty of people attend college, work, and take care of their families at the same time. But this is no easy task to handle all at once.

It can be very overwhelming. And if you have young little ones to care for, it might be best to hold off on college until they’re older.

13. It Takes Forever To Get a College Degree

It normally takes about four years to get a bachelor’s degree.

But for some folks, it can take way longer than four years to receive a degree. And after your bachelor’s degree, it will normally take another two-three years to receive a master’s degree.

Then some people will go right back to school to receive a doctorate degree. Getting a doctorate degree can be an additional four years added to your college career.

For a grand total of TEN Years.

If you don’t want to waste about ten years of your life going to school, then college may not be right for you. And remember, college is expensive.

I showed this above in an earlier reason not to go to college. And, the longer you’re in school = the more debt you’ll owe.

So why waste those years going to school when you can do something you might like more, not have to take out a lot of money and get paid sooner?

14. The Real-World is Different Than College Life

In keeping it real, college doesn’t prepare you for the real world.

In a way, you’re still a kid while in college, especially if you’re financially dependent on your parents.

And unless you’re parents taught you:

• How to manage your money correctly
• How to bounce back from mistakes
• And how to deal with difficult people

The real world is challenging and it can be scary. Adulting is hard.

The only way to handle this is to face it, wise up, and take things one step at a time. College may provide a brief shield from you experiencing this.

But later on in life… you’ll eventually see how tough it is to be on your own. And it’s another reason why you shouldn’t go to college.

It’s best to experience the real world at a younger age.

Because the knowledge and life lessons you pick up on your own will be priceless later on.

15. The World is Changing on the View of a College Degree

Honestly, a college degree isn’t what it used to be.

People are coming up with different ways to make money. They’re learning skills that don’t take years to learn.

While making money from home is becoming normal. It’s not this new and unknown way of earning a living that it once was.

And there are plenty of options when it comes to making money online. Plus, you don’t even need a college degree to do this.

Here’s a list of different ways you can money from home:

• Blogging
• Freelance Writing
• Transcribing
• Customer Service Rep
• Insurance Agent
• Social Media Marketing
• YouTube
• Affiliate Marketing
• Virtual Assitant
• Social Media Management

And a whole lot more. These are all skills you can learn from home and make money from.

Doesn’t this sound better than attending college for years and years? And risking it because you might not find a job with that printed piece of paper you got?

16. The Final Reason Not to Go to College – It’s Stressful

If you haven’t realized it already by reading this post, college can be stressful.

You have to study, work, keep up with family and have a social life. And if you’re going to school and working, you’ll hardly have any time for yourself.

Think about the sleepless nights ahead of attending college! It’s stressful.

And stress affects your body in a number of ways.

While you’re young, balancing your time can be hard. It’s something you might not be used to.

It’s a skill that’s hard to master. And many adults still struggle with it.

But you can develop this skill by not attending college. And it’ll be a lot easier to master it this way.

Why live a stressful life while young?

Your youth is meant to be enjoyed and lived freely.

Take the time to experience life during this time period. So once you’re older, you can then look back at your memories.

Smile, and be grateful you didn’t end up with a bunch of debt going to school.

My Thoughts and Suggestions

If you’re looking to avoid wasting time and money, my advice is to avoid college.

You’ll always have the option to go when you’re ready. Plus, life doesn’t always go according to plan.

When you’re young, you might think college is the right decision. And later on, discover you hate it. Yet another reason not to go to college.

Why waste 4-10 years of your life taking out five to six figures of student loan debt, for some degree (a piece of paper) you might never use?

When most jobs only pay you 20-50k per year. And that’s before taxes and your living expenses are added to the mix.

Yes, if you want to become a doctor, lawyer, nurse, dentist, and a specific career, you’ll have to go to school.

But for most people studying political science, business, and a whole lot more, you don’t need a college degree. But if after reading this you still wanna go…

Here are Some Recommendations:

1. Don’t go to college for an experience or go to an out-of-state college.
2. Don’t pay more for college when you can stay home or get an apartment with friends.
3. Do at least two years at a community college – it’ll only cost you a few grand each year, then transfer to a state school.
4. If you go to college, know exactly what you’re going for.
5. Never go to a private school. It’s not worth it. Always go public.
6. You don’t have to graduate with student loans. There are other options.
7. Ask yourself what’s the cheapest path to graduate and get to my destination?

Think like a business. You’re a business.

Do the math before taking out thousands of dollars in debt for an investment that might not guarantee you a 100% return on that investment.