You can ask around and most people will tell you that the only way to be successful in life is to go to college for at least four years. Others will tell you that it all depends on the person and the next will tell you college is the most pointless thing they've ever heard of. Of course, you can make great money without going to college, that is what I want to do when I'm out of high school. I want to start my own business, I'm not so sure what it is at the moment, I'll worry about that whenthe time comes.

Anyways, I'd like to ask, is college really worth it? I have a very entrapanueral mind and everyday I'm thinking of new business ideas that are very low risk with pretty high rewards such as selling my hip hop beats that I produce, buying and reselling counterfeit items and cheap stuff, lots of stuff.

Can anyone shine some light on this subject for me, thanks.

College is always worth it. Even if you are a very successful marketer making $100k+ per year, it never hurts to have that extra education padding to fall back on. Plus, you can take courses that will better your own business. College is always worth it.

Originally Posted by 2011nfl

College is always worth it. Even if you are a very successful marketer making $100k+ per year, it never hurts to have that extra education padding to fall back on. Plus, you can take courses that will better your own business. College is always worth it.

Good reply. Now, I hate high school and I doubt I would like college any more. Do you think it would be a big mistake to not go to college or do you think generally, you can make it on your own without any college.

Originally Posted by backspacez

Good reply. Now, I hate high school and I doubt I would like college any more. Do you think it would be a big mistake to not go to college or do you think generally, you can make it on your own without any college.

Of course you can make it without college. As I said, it is just nice to have an education to fall back on if a situation ever rises where you actually need it.

It depends what its worth to you. Do you feel a degree is worth the investment?

College is worth it just for the social experience and making life long friends. The memories you will always carry with you are amazing. Those were the best 4 years of my life!

Originally Posted by backspacez

You can ask around and most people will tell you that the only way to be successful in life is to go to college for at least four years. Others will tell you that it all depends on the person and the next will tell you college is the most pointless thing they've ever heard of. Of course, you can make great money without going to college, that is what I want to do when I'm out of high school. I want to start my own business, I'm not so sure what it is at the moment, I'll worry about that whenthe time comes.

Anyways, I'd like to ask, is college really worth it? I have a very entrapanueral mind and everyday I'm thinking of new business ideas that are very low risk with pretty high rewards such as selling my hip hop beats that I produce, buying and reselling counterfeit items and cheap stuff, lots of stuff.

Can anyone shine some light on this subject for me, thanks.

i recommend you not to go in college and just join the society...

usually you guys who have reach this kind of question have no future in college and will just waste your time and money in there..

Originally Posted by dennica

i recommend you not to go in college and just join the society...

usually you guys who have reach this kind of question have no future in college and will just waste your time and money in there..

You're probably right too. I really don't enjoy school, my parents are urging me to go to college. They'll be pissed but it's my decision, I still have to think though, I may consider going to a local community college.

I hated school also, I was forever getting kicked out. College is a whole different game, where you are treated like an adult and encouraged to question and think for yourself. If you are a true entrepreneur, its also a great support structure, I setup and managed a business during my degree, that went on to hire a few of my class mates. It may not seem like college will help in an IM career, but learning how to deal with others, professionalism, dedication, critical thinking, and pride in your work, are just a few of the lessons which are not in any prospectus, and yet are highly valuable.

In short - if you have the chance to go, you should. Earn your IM stripes in your spare time.

Originally Posted by zen19

I hated school also, I was forever getting kicked out. College is a whole different game, where you are treated like an adult and encouraged to question and think for yourself. If you are a true entrepreneur, its also a great support structure, I setup and managed a business during my degree, that went on to hire a few of my class mates. It may not seem like college will help in an IM career, but learning how to deal with others, professionalism, dedication, critical thinking, and pride in your work, are just a few of the lessons which are not in any prospectus, and yet are highly valuable.

In short - if you have the chance to go, you should. Earn your IM stripes in your spare time.

It's always good to see zen reply to a post. Very true. It doesnt hurt one bit to have an education, plus on an IM perspective, you can meet some great offline contacts in college that will be able to help you in your IM goals, programmers, designers, ect.

Anyways, Nicely said zen

Very good replies everyone. These are all really helping me in making my decision. Thank you!

It depends a lot on how much it's going to cost you, and what your personal financial situation is. If I was young and had no money, I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable taking on $80K of debt.

That said, it's my opinion that the college system in America is a big racket, and the federal government is essentially a loan shark in the operation.

You have to learn someplace that covers many options - school - college - university - hands on et al...

Education and learning is the staff of life - the bedrock and foundation necessary to lead to financial rewards and business careers...

People who want to keep in the game whether the one man band or the business mogul learn new things EVERYDAY!

i went to college/university but let me tell you have i learned so much more traveling and living on the streets.

Originally Posted by zen19

I hated school also, I was forever getting kicked out. College is a whole different game, where you are treated like an adult and encouraged to question and think for yourself. If you are a true entrepreneur, its also a great support structure, I setup and managed a business during my degree, that went on to hire a few of my class mates. It may not seem like college will help in an IM career, but learning how to deal with others, professionalism, dedication, critical thinking, and pride in your work, are just a few of the lessons which are not in any prospectus, and yet are highly valuable.

In short - if you have the chance to go, you should. Earn your IM stripes in your spare time.

#DamnItsTrue

you will get out what you put in

But i still recommend going to college..

You will get a lot of benefits when you go to college..

Some that you can learn are:
1. attitude
2. diligence
3. analysis
4. critical thinking
5. hmm...

No doubts.. Its always worth.. Let me explain you in short

So, You are an entrapanueral mind right ? then you can earn money at anytime but if you missed this college life then it won't comes again and more over people around you and your relation will not know how much you are earning.. You can't also tel everyone like this much am earning, that much i earned past month like that, am i right ?

Also they many of them will ask how much did you studied or where you did college or something similar for sure. If not then just think the time before you are getting marry.. Won't you look - Girl you are going to get marry should complete any degree or studied like that ?

If you are such guy of not looking studies then Is it feel good wife studied more than husband Just think - think twice - think again

Kind regards,
Bart, B.E ( Electronics & Instrumentation engineer )

Get into college. Get what you need. If it's not for you, then you can always go to the less-traveled road.
My uni degree does not really contribute to the things I'm doing now, but it has open so much possibilities
that otherwise will never have happened it I decided not to continue studying. There are many valuable life
lesson that I got from college which I would never get anywhere else.

Since you want to be an entrepreneur I would only suggest going to school if you find a specialized school with an excellent and affordable entrepreneurship focused program. I went to school for business and I was sorely disappointed about what I was learning. It was ok if I had wanted to work for a big company, but I wanted to be an entrepreneur like you and during my college experience I never learned anything about setting up my own business.

College degrees are good if you want a job that requires having a degree. But they aren't necessary if you are going to work for yourself or do some other career that doesn't require it.

And as for the college experience. It's hard to swallow paying thousands and thousands of dollars just so you can be around people your age. Going to school just for the over-hyped "college experience" is a terrible waste of money.

Everything you can learn at college you can learn from a book or from a mentor. Degrees get you jobs. A degree isn't going to make you any better of an entrepreneur.

Worst comes to worst, you can always go to school later in your life if for some reason being an entrepreneur doesn't work for you.

I have to admit that I am biased because I hated college. It wasn't for me. To constricting and too stifling.

I decided to read books and learn it myself and that has worked out for me.

College will improve your social level.

yeah it's never been waste even if I feel I waste my time you will have your experience social skills confidence level and the reality is not everyone is capable of succeeding of being online marketers or entrepreneur

Dont go to college for a degree. Go for the social life which you will never get if you are outside. You will miss on hitting the chicks on daily basis. Don't worry about your college results. Think like you are going to an amusement park and enjoy the ride. You already have IM with you so you have the backup if you score bad marks.

Originally Posted by 2011nfl

It's always good to see zen reply to a post. Very true. It doesnt hurt one bit to have an education, plus on an IM perspective, you can meet some great offline contacts in college that will be able to help you in your IM goals, programmers, designers, ect.

Anyways, Nicely said zen

Me too fond of zen's posts the way he replies is just awesome...

My opinion on this topic its worth going to college where we can make a frnds circle and learn some new stuffs but TBH one should never miss college days in his lifetime it's not necessary to sit with books learn from index till the last page and get high scores if we need just a degree and enjoyment so as an IM'er its worth going to college a degree thats it

GO TO COLLEGE!

if you are asking the question you are in a turmoil, let me explain why you should go

1. Education - trust me on this, even if you think you know it all you dont fact. Also employers love to look at educational history.
2. Networking - you are making friends with people from the same ilk, who you can collaborate on projects and jobs with, now and in the future.
3. Opportunities - you can make serious money at college, as clients are always approaching colleges for work, this once again leads to networking.
4. Tax free - If you are in the UK your earnings are tax free during term times.
5. Business seminars - learn all about how to start your own business for free from professionals, you get to go on advance courses for free.
6. NETWORKING - I can not stress enough how importnt networking with future clients and partners will help.
7. Spare Time - you will have quite a lot where you can hone your IM skills, safe in the knowledge you always have a fall back income.
8. Friends - make new friends, have fun and NETWORK!

above all choose a course you can get your teeth into and enjoy, who knows you may even go back and teach!

I'm going to go against the grain and say it's not necessary. You can't ever know enough so I'd never tell you that EDUCATION isn't worth it. But college to me is simply big business & a scam to keep you caught in the matrix of slaving away at a job thats making someone who is NOT YOU rich. I dropped out 5 or 6 times(lost count) before being brave enough to quit for good and not worry about what my family would say. I graduated 3rd in my high school class with a 3.8 GPA so it wasn't because Im not motivated or slow. It's just that I was more interested in real world experience that would get me to the money faster rather than sitting in a classroom learning about things that had nothing to do with my bottom line. To me college is a distraction. There are things far more important than College Algebra smh. My dream isn't to go into the work force having to depend on someone else to employ me then walking away at 60 with a lame lump sum of money. You either follow your dreams or you end up working for someone who followed theirs. I have to have my own & the fact that I'm a rebel doesn't help matters. I'm in search of freedom and I just didn't see how a degree would help me obtain that. Drake said it best: "seeing my family have it all took the place of the desire for diplomas on the wall". Despite what they tell you a job is NOT promised to anyone with a degree. It only slightly increases your chances. & in this economy most degree holders are in the same predicament as non degree holders as they're finding it just as tough to secure employment. It's more about WHO you know than WHAT you know. But just because college wasn't going to help my bottom line doesn't mean it wont help yours. If you can see how it will get you where you ultimately want to be then by all means, go for it. Otherwise don't rack up the student loans or waste time like I did.

A degree tells everybody that you were willing to take the time to invest in yourself. It also helps you to be more analytical in your overall thinking rather than going with your gut plus college exposes you to other ways of thinking. I never looked back and asked if college was worth the time and energy but many of those who didn't go no doubt question their past choices.

I don't get why almost every single person hates school, all I can say - I loved it and I miss it so much, nothing is more fun than school to me. Maybe it depends on class mates and situation but you can always find good friends if you're good yourself.

University, hm... - I'm a student myself, on my second year, but I'll pass until the next course. First, I chose Geography, than moved to Electronics, than Programming, now back to Geography, in short - I wasn't able to find what I love yet (not talking about IM). I've only studied a year in the University but I can say it's shitloads of fun there You'll find some funny, creative people, just like you maybe (+ You'll find tons of nice girls there). I always say I don't love it, I prefer to sit at my PC minding my own business, but still, it's worth to go to college.

At least, when someone says "Oh, those sweet years, how I miss them", you'll regret your decision.

Conclusion : University is for becoming more social and Education only, I can get Education from torrent books and social people in my neighbourhood So, it's not necessary to go to college for those things, you must understand what you'll lose (or not).

Originally Posted by 2011nfl

College is always worth it. Even if you are a very successful marketer making $100k+ per year, it never hurts to have that extra education padding to fall back on. Plus, you can take courses that will better your own business. College is always worth it.

Agreed, you can only get better!

Great topic, im considering quiting the studies as an engineer, because the topic around mathematics, physics, buildings is freaking booring.. Thank good i dont need to pay anything.
First of i went to college directly after high school. Studied in college for a year and completed 70% of the year. After one year i went to army, where i served 1 year. In the army i was thinking about going back to college 100%, because having thoughts serving in an army or going into college, was clear to me, army is pretty much worst of them all. (job,college)
Now im back in college, considering leaving it behind, as i have only completed 1 year out of 5. I have no motivation at all.. I live in a dorm and barely go to school anymore. Doing IM and considering taking a job until i can live by IM. This so addictive.
Long story short - unfortunately i picked wrong college profession, love IM.

dear OP...
...you really should copy your post and save it somewhere. print it, burn it, cloud-storage it - make sure you take all options available.
it has to be available when the time has come - and then some fractions of your post will hit your brain:
"great money without going to college, that is what I want to do when I'm out of high school."
" start my own business, I'm not so sure what it is at the moment, I'll worry about that whenthe time comes."
"entrapanueral mind and everyday I'm thinking of new business ideas that are very low risk with pretty high rewards"
"selling my hip hop beats that I produce, buying and reselling counterfeit items and cheap stuff, lots of stuff."

...if that does not work out (you need to have some fantasy to be able to think about such scenario) - you would be lucky to have a real-life-degree sitting in your pocket. besides some other freebies.

but what do i know...
...i am an iron worker anyways.

Deep down, college has absolutely nothing to do with earning a degree that certifies your ability to perform a specialized task, or hold knowledge in a narrow field.

You want training for a job to make money? Go to a trade school, don't bother with a university.

At a university, you learn exactly how badly and why you'd be completely screwed over by the world if you weren't attending the university. It's actually kind of a dark system. Not to get melodramatic, but universities are how the state select those who will be referred to and treated as the adults/citizens of the society. Sure, if you don't attend, you receive "equal protection" under law, but if you go to a university(and especially if you enter one of the cults within the university) you will see just how much more equal you are than those that haven't gone.

University attendance becomes a compulsion once you see just how abusive the world is to those that don't go. Colleges are an extension of the ancient system of Circles. Once you get accepted to a university, you're part of that circle; get into honors classes, part of a smaller circle; join professional clubs, part of an even smaller circle; join a social club, part of an even smaller yet circle. There are clubs in Oxford that literally limit membership to TWO(2) people, do you understand? If you hate the exclusionary nature of the world and don't want to add to it, a university education is not for you. Look at the caps worn at graduation; everyone's head has been flattened. This isn't accidental imagery.

The education you learn at a university is nothing on how to do your job, but instead it's to learn that you deserve to receive $40/hr and not $8 because you're more "human". It teaches you to put up ads to advertise your own services instead of joining a company that pays you a fraction of what you can earn yourself. Though, If you're planning on doing intellectual, high-risk & reward work, then the university will teach you of how titantic and unchangeable the world system is that you will have to join and play along nicely in if you want to succeed in this game.

Colleges are for learning how to be an adult among adults; how to be a citizen with as much a say as anyone else. At college, you live in a little city populated pretty much by others in your age/peer group. You will never experience this in another setting. It isn't necessary, and can be a complete waste of time. It can either be liberating and fun, or if you've already been liberated and had your fun when you were younger, the college atmosphere can be a return to what high school felt like. Everyone is maturing at different rates, and another thing college teaches is that you either join the herd-mass and have a great time, or you walk your own way and although it will be lonely and difficult, you will not regret it.

A university is a formal pageant, it's not really a school. Learning at college is a self-starting thing, so why do people equate college with school where you'd be yelled at if you didn't do your homework? You really are there to meet the other people who have relatively the same socio-economic status and political/religious views as you, and then to join with these people in factions to further government/business policies to their liking. The only way to get things the way you want is to do the same, and the easiest way is to go to a university to meet like-minded people, and pool your resources. You will learn how powerful you are, and how you are the one who gives up your power. You will learn how people around you will live their lives, and endure their struggles, based on the decisions you make that will affect their interest rates, loan payments, school tuition, and all the stuff that brings people down; College lets you be the one stepping on your friends.

College is an initiation, and every real initiation comes from inside oneself...So figure out for yourself whether you need college to feel and hold yourself up like an equal.

College-level education may be worth it, but going to a traditional brick and mortar campus may not be. Distance learning modules on DVD or tape now eliminate the need to be in a building setting to complete a degree program. This should save you tons on tuition, travel and dorm cost, not to mention not getting detracted by partying and hook-ups.

If your goal is just to get an almost guaranteed job, take up a major to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer--everything else is shaky or iffy.

Totally depends on what you want to do, like you said you might not think of it until the time comes...just make sure you do what you want at college and not for the sake of it. Why not take a year out when you finish school and see where it takes you? You can go back into education any time really, I'm 22 and in my last year Hnd and I cannot wait to finish, even though its what I want to do, I just feel I teach myself best in my own ways outside of college and not by the 'book'. And don't think about it as debt, it's an investment

College is awesome for meeting chicks.

40 years ago I would say go to school, no matter what.

Google+real life experience is best for learning.

My advice... make money first, get a stable income, before you go balls deep and drop out or don't go. Once you make the decision to stop going, it's becomes really REALLY hard to go back. It's hard to meet girls in front of a computer, despite what 4tube adverts may try and tell you....

get as much education as you can...
...it is key.

`nuff time left to degenerate after that again...
...college really has a higher purpose than preparing a way into a certain job for you.

I agree with most of the posters that college is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will help you harness social skills (among others) that are critical to success in business--not to mention it's a blast. Then again, it's a big investment that costs a lot of money, and with how well the search engines work these days, you can learn almost anything online. My suggestion is to try out a semester at a local university--not a community college, it's a much different environment.

Community colleges are filled with 30-somethings like me who are trying to finish their degree or get back into school, or, most of the kids right out of high school are slackers who don't have any idea what they want to do. It's not a true college environment with a sense of community and comraderie.

One semester at a local university isn't going to set you back that far and even if you realize it's not for you, at least you'll know and you'll still have an experience to build on. Remember, you get to pick your classes in college and choose who you hang out with. It's a completely different ballgame from high school.

research proves that academic studies add 8% to your total income for every year you studied.

most of my friends graduated college and could only become teachers pretty much when they got out. some went back to taco bell. haha. i think it depends on what area you are trying to go into.

School is important. It shows that one has the patience and perseverance to get through four years of hell. However, I do believe in real life experience over school.

This post explains life after college well.

Some useful insights on college education and its importance here.
One thing I can tell you from experience is in spite of all the advice, you will never be sure whether it is important or not. Few years down the lane , if you realize you should have gone for it, you may not have the time or resources or eligibility.
So , to be sure and safe , get the College education.

reasons to go to college:

1. college girls, you will know what i mean when you get there

2. get a degree in something useful to IM, like programming or graphic design

3. you will meet people who will help you for your entire life

whats your alternative? it better be really really good

The problem with college = debt.

My take on college - useless for actually learning, but great to have as a backup (if you intend on making a living online).

Originally Posted by backspacez

Good reply. Now, I hate high school and I doubt I would like college any more. Do you think it would be a big mistake to not go to college or do you think generally, you can make it on your own without any college.

Honestly, high school and college are two completely different animals. High school is extremely structured. College is what you make it. You can find a group, a TA, or even a professor that can completely change your life. They give you the tools and the classes, and you just run with it. You have your eyes opened up to so many different areas you can go into. Your passions can evolve or they can help you pinpoint exactly what you want to do. You should at least give it a shot. College is different for everyone. I don't think college is necessarily for the the classroom knowledge. I think the biggest benefit is how it will change you. Help you hone in on what you really want to do.

The thing about college is you need to be able to get a job after or there isn't any point in going. Job market for fresh graduates is EXTREMELY competitive, if you are focusing on your IM career through college and you don't have all A's it'll be extremely difficult to get a job.

What you can do is get a degree that will help you in your IM career, a business degree never hurts (extremely competitive job market). Maybe a web development class (hard), it's a really hard decision. I'm going to college right now for a business degree as I feel like it may help me in the future with IM and maybe even an old fashioned brick and mortar business.

Main point is to think long term. IM won't be same for the next 10 years, you have to adapt to all the changes or you'll be left without a job or a degree. "Don't put your eggs in one basket" is a popular saying on this forum and it seems relevant to this situation.

I don't want to take the risk of being in my thirties without a job or enough of an education to get a proper job so I am getting a degree. After getting a degree you have the luxury to still have an IM income while you look for a job, whereas your peers will not. You can take the time after graduating to get a masters to even further your chances of getting a job while you still have an income. Well, this is my plan anyways, ride the IM wagon as long as I can to further my education. After I am sure that I will ALWAYS have something to fall back on I will pursue IM to the fullest. Even if that means getting a degree I may never use, even if that means I have to work a 9-5 for 3 years making 1/3 of what I would of made with IM so I can get enough experience to get a job whenever I please.

This is probably the most HQ post I've ever made, also it's 2:30 AM so ignore any mistakes in the post :P Go to college, work twice as hard as your peers, making money + school. In the end it will only favor you. You don't even need to make a full time salary, just enough that you can support yourself and your education. When you have a backup you can do whatever you want, IM, a business, music career.