Why did you go to college?

I wanted to further my education. My parents expected me to. I liked the social aspects. I wanted a job with a higher salary (crap to that).

Because it was expected & planned for and also because I had a specific goal in mind with regard to my career. I’m glad I went, even if I did end up in another career field.

I went because I thought that’s what all people did after high school. I got lucky and found a program in my area that I really enjoyed, didn’t take out any loans and had a part time job throughout, thus leaving me graduating not owning one penny. This is unlike some of my friends who had my same outlook but chose to go to out-of-city or state universities, who quit their program but are left with big bills from the few months they attended.

Originally I went because I found out I could receive a stipend for attendance. As a female head of house with disabled husband and two children I qualified for financial aid and we desparately needed the money at the time. I figured I would enroll just long enough to get a check. That was two degrees ago. It was a blessing I went and stuck it out as my education has opened doors which otherwise would have been closed to me.

I felt like it. I love learning stuff.

I never intended on going but my sister encouraged me to do so.

To smoke pot.

I went to college because I wanted to be a meteorologist, and I needed a college degree.
I went to grad school for my Master’s because there are basically no jobs for met majors with just a Bachelor’s.
I’m not getting my PhD because I’m tired of school, and at this point I feel I should be qualified for many jobs. Is that the case? No, not really.

Oh, Academic Inflation. You drive me crazy.

@Les so now your not sure “weather” or not to go back, eh?

@bri: Har har har. ;-) No, I’m not going on at this point. I’m applying for jobs.

For the girls, the booze and the parties. In fact I liked it so much I went back.

It definitely was expected, though the other expectation was that I’d go to school at a university in town and continue to live at home. Pfft! F*^# that!

I wanted a higher education. I thought a degree would get me a better job in films. I didn’t want to remain in my old neighborhood. I wanted to get away from my guardian.

That about sums it up.

I have yet to finish college. All the majors in the area ofphotography dont have any classes that will really help me like i want them too. So i decided to do most of my learning from books and seminars and classes at private schools. Also experience seems to be more valued in this field.

I wanted to change careers.

I was the first of my family to get a college degree, so I definitely was not expected to go to college. I was out in the working world for 4 years before I decided to go to college. I decided to go because I was bored, and I realized my job was not going to get me very far. Just like most things, I made the decision without putting much thought into it.

Yeah, my parents convinced me that it was a better choice than the Marines.

I liked school, and I wanted to continue learning. I was also 17 and eager to get out of the house and on my own.

@dynamicduo I agree. It was just what you did after high school. There wasn’t much discussion about it being a decision. It was just the next step you took after high school graduation. I suppose if I had not wanted to attend I could have had the choice.

I’m glad I went. Just for the experience in general. I was exposed to information, people, cultures and lifestyle I might not have seen otherwise.

It is a very personal decision, but I am glad it has benefitted me.

I’m kind of like @basp. I was 35, with a disabled husband and a daughter at home who needed a better life. I wasted most of my youth with a drug addicted alcoholic husband who was happy in his own stagnation. I decided I wanted more for my life and my daughter’s, so it was finally time to grow up and do something.

I’m a late bloomer, but the rose is all the sweeter! I have a much better job now than if I had simply sat there and did nothing.

god damn parents

@Triiiple : so did it not work out for you?

@jsc3791 sitting in class right now…for my like 4th year

Didn’t wanna be called stupid.

@tinyfaery – I’m also the first in my family to have gone to college. And only one other cousin, who is much younger than me, has gone since.

I didn’t go to college, mostly because I was incredibly lazy and had no self-discipline. Here I am 26 years later, an incredibly lazy woman with very little self-discipline, raising three kids, work a part-time job, and finishing college.

@SuperMouse WTG! It’s never too late!! You are not lazy!!

expected by parents and teachers, loved school, wanted to continue the lifestyle I had been born into,wanted to teach, social life of collegiates was appealing

@Supermouse – GO!! SUPERMOUSE!!

I went because I truly just love to learn new things. As a benefit, it would help me land a better job, with higher pay. I just always thought that is what you did, after high school. Go to college. or the military

My parents didn’t expect it. They both dreaded it and resented the fact that I was so hellbent on it.
I went because I wanted an education yes, wanted to have ambition for the future. I wanted to prove myself to myself, and others- but mostly myself.

But what do I know? I’m still in it. And at community college (for now). I’m scared about after I get my associate’s but currently hopeful.