Thread: If you have kids, send them to college?

A couple years ago I probably would have agreed with this, but reflecting back I grew a lot as a person having gone to college for even just the year I went. Education wise, I could have dedicated that time on my own and learned a lot more. Having said that though I went through high school as the shy\quiet kid the 'adventures of college', definitely helped alleviate that.

I would give them the choice between what you mentioned (dependent on the maturity level of the kid) and college.

Granted, college is pretty much a 4-year party (or 5 or 6) but honestly, I feel I learned a lot about myself during that time that I would not change for ANYTHING! Without college, I would not be nearly as mature as I am both mentally and financially. This may not be the case for others, but is probably for some!

I also think that giving them a business opportunity would be great, however, at that age I was only worried about getting "intoxicated" and having a good time. In result that cash or business would be non-existent within a year or 2!

BUT thats just my 2c!

One thing I need to emphasize is the utmost importance of having a well balanced CRITICAL mind & knowledge. Either through self education or community college, I truly believe that one should put forth effort to gain much knowledge within the subjects of: at least some basic mathematics & science, oral/written/critical think skills(aka college level English), history, art, literature, philosophy, humanities (poly-sci/social/anthro/psych/econ/foreign), and self/life development & understanding along with the ability to problem solve. Additionally, it would be of some value to gain basic business & financial understanding. Knowledge within any of these subjects can be obtained via online and books. Best online textbook sites: Top Discount Textbooks Sites

Obviously, when it comes to studies like medical, most kinds of engineering, and law, attending college and receiving a degree would be essential. No way around it, because quite literally people's lives would be on the line. However, only speaking for my line of work (digital media & e-commerce) I can't justify the cost of attending school, nor the time. EVERYTHING I've learned and continue to learn are all ONLINE via the web! As a matter of fact I know far more than the student that spent $30k plus and 6 years (comparing to few real life people I personally know). I've only started 2 years ago! THINK ABOUT that!

NO DAMN WAY! College is a joke of a return nowadays and honestly you shouldn't have to answer to anyone but yourself and god anyway.

College changed my life. It changed my perspective on the the world and the people around me. Do you need it? It just depends on what you want do in life. Not everyone wants to own a business. Teachers, doctors, and scientists need some sort of education after high school.

I think the problem is that the cost of higher education is way too high. The economics of a higher education don't really seem to make sense right now. That is a major problem that will have to be fixed. I have structured my entire business model around this problem.

I will encourage my children to go to college. Obviously the number one priority is what they want, because without desire, the rest is moot. But given the opportunity I would not trade my college years for anything. Remember, when it comes down to it, life is about experiences not money. You earn money to create more experiences to live a fuller life. I wouldn't want to deprive my children of a life experience.

College is a business. I am not a big fan of college but ultimately it will my be by kid's choice what they want to do in life. There are careers such as in the medical industry that you need a college degree for. It is my responsibility as a parent to show my kids that there are other alternatives and opportunities in the world besides college. I think a lot of young people out of high school don't know any better, and feel as if there is no alternative other than going to college. There are so many ways to educate yourself, and experiences that can only be learned in the real world. Most of the academic stuff you learn in college, you will never use! In my house I give my kids the ability to learn and express themselves through all sorts of things. We do so many projects, arts, crafts, music, weekly field trips to different museums/parks/factories to learn and explore about the world. My son is 5 and he is such a curious kid, wants to know everything! Already I talk to him about money and business. He is very good at saving money, and chooses what he wants to buy wisely. His grandma gave him $20 and we were at the store, he was a movie that he wanted... I told him to could buy it with his $20. He said "no, I will let daddy buy it for me later, why spend my own money when I can get someone else to buy it for me?" When kids want to know about something or learn something new, let them, provide them with opportunities and an environment to learn and to express themselves instead of telling them you're too young, you will find out when you get older, I don't have time for you right now, we can't afford to do this or that.... it seems parent's really know how to kill a child's dreams and the desire to learn. My son loves to explore and take photos, so I bought him a nikon camera for $60 brand new! He takes photos of all his little adventures that we go on and then we put them in his scrapbook. He loves music and is fascinated with the drums and has been taking lessons for some time now. He has been learning Spanish from watching Dora and wants to know more. He asks me almost every day about what I do on online and how he can learn. It brings me so much joy to see him so passionate about learning and it's hilarious the things he says sometime. My daughter on the other hand is almost 2 and she loves to color the whole house with crayons and dress up.

With all that being said if they choose to go the college route that will be their decision, but it is my job to teach them about other opportunities/alternatives, let them explore the world... and if they choose to go to college they will not be able to tell me that they didn't know there was more out there.

So... at 18 years old, you want them to have the full responsibilities of running a business, where if they fail they no longer have an education, credit, and few friends, and be working 60+ hours per week?

Or, go to college and network, build lasting relationships, party, and get a degree that will at a minimum allow them to fall back on a 50k+ job?

Pardon my ignorance, but I feel like college THEN entrepreneurship is the best way to do it.

It's the path I took, so I am bias, but it has opened so many doors. your odds of success are much greater when you email a business owner saying "i currently am studying at your alma matter and saw you were successful..." Rather than saying "i just graduated from HS and my parents gave me funding to start a Franchise.."

To me, one has a lot more credibility than the other..

I'm in college and it's awesome.

But I'm also in the start-up phase of my business.

I will be sending my kids to college. I won't forbid them to do what I'm doing, nor would I discourage it... but I sure as hell wouldn't encourage it. I would rather my kid go to school and get a liberal arts associates degree than not go at all. But here's the thing: when my kids are old enough, I'm going to be able to pay their full tuition without having them have to chip in. Will I force them to graduate? No, but I'll tell them that they should graduate with high honors. As far as what my kids do in life, I wouldn't care as long as they were happy doing it and were able to support themselves financially. If I have a Slowlane kid, so be it. If he/she is happy being Slowlane, I won't criticize.

I'm not having Sidewalker kids, though.

College is awesome, and if I have to go early because of my business, so be it. But I would not miss this experience for the world, and I'm only done my first semester.