Going to college

            
             At some point in time we may ask ourselves if going to college is the right thing to do. As children, a parent or older sibling may have told us that going to college is important if we want to be successful in life. As junior high comes around, fellow classmates may start talking about the move on to high school and possibly going to college. During a student's junior and senior year in high school, students may start filling out college applications and even start taking some college entry exams such as the SAT and ACT. Students do all of this because they all have one thing in mind, going to college. .
             The value of college can be measured over a lifetime. Whether a person just finishes up junior college or completes a four year university, the accomplishment cannot be matched. The information learned from college will not just teach students about study skills, math and writing, but also a field of study where the student wants to learn more about. This area of study where a person wants to have a career in is called a major. Some students even decide on having a double major.
             A college education is something to be cherished. In both earning potential and learning potential, the value a college education offers is worth every penny. Just like any investment, a college education requires planning and saving. However, it is an investment that will continue to pay you back for a lifetime. Individuals with a college education have better career opportunities. College educated students also earn more money and develop skills and knowledge that can never be taken away.
             According to the 2000 Census, college graduates took home an average of $45,678 per year as compared to the $24,572 average salary of those who only completed high school. Over a lifetime, a college graduate will earn nearly $600,000 more than someone with only a high school diploma. Those with a college education can choose to accept a position that requires less schooling, while those with only a high school diploma cannot choose a job that requires a college degree.