the value of higher education

"do you think that college has prepared you for life after?" -- a question a friend, nearing graduation, sent a couple weeks back

If I remember correctly, my initial response was something like, "LMAO GIRL," implying a hard no. That reaction was full of anger & resentment, largely in regard to what / where I thought I would be now -- a year and a half out. When I graduated, I fully intended to move to Des Moines for a residential youth care job, work toward graduate school admission, and leave after a year.

I quit that job on day six (hour 60), haven't applied anywhere, and am still here. I likely will be for at least another year and a half. Because that's life -- it changes.

The goal is that when it starts to change you, you change for the better.

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When I look back to who I was before Coe, I admire my determination. Everything that I did was to take myself on an adventure. Whether it was a weekend spent with friends, a series of books that I let myself melt into, or taking college classes early in high school to improve my odds of going, it was for the adventure. I wanted to go. And I did.

the adventure began with Carl, the best car

I moved 10 hours away, befriended (most of) the greatest people I have ever met, and experienced life through countless opportunities. Yes, it was hard. I was working nearly full-time while taking extra classes, working toward publication, and having an active social / student involvement life. I loved the challenge.

I love that I still remember a lot of it vividly. Thursdays were almost always scheduled with classes & work from 8 to 8. Saturday nights were often spent in my favorite classrooms. Life was what I made it.

I wasn't prepared for so many people to change that when I left.

I think that's what I was most unprepared for -- the heavy influence of others. When I went to Coe, I ignored all of the "that's a bad idea" people. I focused on what I wanted, what my next steps were, what I wanted to become. On campus, I had my friends. I surrounded myself with people who had big ideas, huge goals, and gigantic hearts. Looking back, I guess I was once good at setting boundaries (my therapist needs to know this). I knew how to keep distance between myself and those who took part in violent acts or prejudiced belief systems. 

That is much harder outside of the Coe Bubble. However, I think that I'm slowly rebuilding that boundary that I need to keep myself healthier and happier, while still learning from people who have different beliefs than I.

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Other than that, I would say that my college experience did prepare me for Life After. I don't believe in saying "for the real world" because I've spent my entire life in that. I've learned that I don't have to validate my story to have that valid existence.

A lot of what my college experience gave me was the opportunity to think more critically than I had before & to interact with people unlike those I had met before. It allowed me the chance to travel often & to learn while doing so -- where else would one take a trip to Memphis & New Orleans to learn about the history of blues & jazz? It provided life-long friendships, memories, and strengths that I lean on when I'm feeling low.

My experience with higher education is a privilege, and I want to make sure that is clear. Being first-gen & graduating cum laude in three years is not something that is afforded to many people. That lesson has helped in the Life After too.

I would relive this day 100 times if I could

Overall, I don't think that I would be living the life I am now if I didn't have my college experience. I know I wouldn't. I definitely wouldn't have been afforded the same opportunities such as working with an international advocacy nonprofit or the Iowa Department of Human Rights, or having an essay published, or writing a book with the support of editor friends. I could extend that list forever.

I guess what I want to say is this: college was not the biggest & best influence of how I live / who I am now -- but it was pretty damn close. It's far more than student loans* or classes. As Coe would say, "it's not four years, it's for life." There is so much truth there and so much power in the education I received.

If you can, pursue higher education. It will definitely change your world -- and, as I believe, the world we all share. 

*if anyone is interested in helping me pay those off, I would never say no. please. before I tack on thousands more for graduate school