I think although college is pretty much expected today in our country, you could probably get by without it.  So why go?  I think the answer is not as obvious as it might seem.  I think probably the number one reason people go to college is just because of an expectation put on them by society or by their parents.  This I believe almost defeats the reason of going to college.  I’m not saying you shouldn’t encourage people to go to college or educate them about college, I’m just saying that if after this they don’t want to go they might be better off trying something else for a while.  I left college and went to Yellowstone, then I moved to Oregon and I learned more during these times than I had learned in my previous years on campus.  I think probably the next top reasons that people go to college have to do with getting paid higher salary.  Here again, although this is a useful reason to go to college, I think it probably falls short of the essence of university education.

Now, before I get to far in, I just want to say that I’ve been grappling over this issue a lot recently, because I’m paying (or going to pay as it is) a lot of money for my college education.  I primarily enrolled at Messiah College in order to study music and to get into seminary.  Now both of these reasons no longer exists.  A music major wasn’t a possibility for me and I found a legitimate seminary that doesn’t require you to have a bachelor’s degree.  I’m now a liberal arts major and minoring in music…  Now as I finish up my final exams and enter summer the thought of just jumping right into seminary is very appealing to me, honestly, very appealing.  I’m twenty five, I’m not going to graduate until I’m twenty seven, then seminary for three to six years, let’s say five making me thirty two by the time I’ve graduated with probably tons of student loans (if I don’t get scholarship money somehow)…  So what if I want to get married?  These factors probably wont help me if I plan on starting a family by any means and besides that, they limit what sort of employment I choose to get.  So as the writers of stories will tell you it appears that I’m a character facing a lot of conflict in order to get what I want.  It makes for good story, but what about good life?

Currently I reading this book by 19th-century writer, John Henry Newman, called the Idea of a University.  It has taken me a little bit to get used to the way he uses the English language, but despite the challenge it is definitely a great read.  According to Newman a liberal arts education is a good in and of itself, besides sharpening the intellect and character and cultivating wisdom.  Am I this romantic?  My current answer is “yes,” at least I want to be.  I wish I could explain more clearly what Newman is saying and what is on my own heart.  I will endeavor to keep posts as I explore this issue and who knows maybe I will even come to a point where I have to change my mind.  If you were me would you finish college, why or why not?