Is College Unnecessary?

I was flabbergasted when I learned that for nearly 12 years, I was going to school for all the wrong reasons. I wasn't into boys, drugs, passing notes, or mouthing off with the teacher. I was one of those children who loved school and loved to learn.

I used to revel at the fact that I could learn anything, and be anything- so long as I learned about it in school first. I was taught that it was crucial- a matter between life and death- to go as far in school (at the best schools, too) as I possibly can. After conversing with many of my peers, I learned that they were taught the same things as well.

However, when I progressed to the eleventh grade at my boarding school, something that my African-American Literature teacher told me completely, and utterly changed my whole perception of school.

"The main purpose of school and teachers is to teach you to teach yourselves."

My fellow classmates were seated attentively around the Harkness table listening to Mr. Williams babble on about the significance of the writings of Olaudah Equiano. However, I was still stuck on what he had said earlier.

Wow! You are absolutely right. I know how to read comprehensively, write intelligently, and conduct research effectively. Why waste another 10 years of my life in school when I can teach myself in half that amount of time?

What a revelation. So, I decided to test that theory. After I graduated from high school, I didn't jump straight to an Ivy-League. Against my parents' wishes, I took a year off to travel and, well teach myself. During that time, I taught myself 2 languages, critically read more books than I can count, learned statistics, and saw many of our countries historic landmarks.

The eccentric Mr. Williams was right. I don't need to go to college to learn a few things. However, college does offer other things such as companionship with your fellow classmates, learning with others and...saying that you graduated from "soandso" College or University.