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.

Important notice for students planning to attend college ... Bahama Islands Info, Bahamas - Aug 28, 2008 It is recommended that students contact their College/University and request they hold their place while their letters of authorization are being processed.

Students oppose establishment of university at Islamia College Daily Times, Pakistan - Aug 28, 2008 PESHAWAR: Students of Islamia College of Peshawar have said that establishment of the Islamia College University in the same building would create problems ...

First come, first served Boston Globe, United States - 16 hours ago By Linda Matchan Emerson College student David Koenig was walking to work in Cambridge recently when he spotted a computer desk that someone had discarded ...

Library to host The Times of Trenton - NJ.com, NJ - 1 hour ago PRINCETON BOROUGH -- Composing an effective college ad missions essay is a challenging task. Three experts will provide assistance to prospective college ...

Textbook bills a problem for college, university students Vancouver Sun,  Canada - Aug 22, 2008 PORTLAND -- In his two years at Mount Hood Community College, one aspect of campus life shocked Javier Torres: the thousands of dollars he spent on ...

College, university honors St. Cloud Times, MN - Aug 25, 2008 Allison S. Palm of St. Cloud recently graduated from Boston University, Mass., with a bachelor of arts degree in religion. She graduated summa cum laude. ...

Omantel conducts course for 65 college, university students Zawya, United Arab Emirates - Aug 26, 2008 MUSCAT -- Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel)Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) recently concluded a summer training programme covering more ...

8/29 — Will your candidate of choice make it to general elections? Shoreview Press, MN - 7 hours ago The Shoreview Press limited its profiles to candidates for county commissioner and state representative running for slots in territories covered by the ...

SOBIN aims to improve CK economy Chatham Daily News, Canada - 19 hours ago Members and partners of SOBIN from Chatham- Kent include: St. Clair College; University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus; Wellington Polymer Technologies; ...

Are Advanced Placement Courses Diminishing Liberal Arts Education? Education Week News, MD - 10 hours ago By Paul Von Blum At this time of year, thousands of academically accomplished students enter selective higher education institutions like mine, ...