People have different reasons why they join the university because for some, pursuing a university degree provides an opportunity to land a dream job or even choose a career path they feel provides job satisfaction. However, there are those who may consider getting a degree as a status, and they may develop pride, feeling that they have accomplished something that not everyone has managed to accomplish. It is true that a university degree puts one at better position of getting a job but what about those who fail to get the opportunity to study at the university? Is having a university a standard of excellence?
For most high schoolers, joining the university is something that is always in the mind of most of them. Unfortunately, not every high school student is lucky enough to further their education, and some of those who end up missing slots in university admissions join tertiary institutions. Still, some venture into working or managing family businesses. It is unfortunate that some end up being incarcerated, and this is usually the case with students who become gang members and start engaging in gang violence and other gang-related activities including selling of the illicit drugs.
With all its glory or positive aspects as a place where people go to learn and acquire knowledge that can make them productive members of the society, the university can jeopardize one’s success in life. Although one might be happy when they manage to complete their degree program, they may still have to grapple with the accumulation of the student debt. In the United States, this is a major problem that is exacerbated by the lack of jobs. However, this issue is not endemic to the U.S. because it affects students all over the world.
When a student joins the university, there is no guarantee that they would graduate because various factors come into play when looking at the forces that can affect the students’ graduation rates. Poverty and a student choosing a course they may not be passionate about are just some of the factors that can determine whether a student graduates.
As much as governments, teachers and other stakeholders expect students to join colleges and universities, certain conditions and systems that have been created seem to hamper students’ capacity to achieve their dream. Because joining the university is worth it, everyone should be given equal opportunity to study. Furthermore, there is need to ensure that students do not accumulate debts, and instead of requiring students to pay, the government may fully pay students’ fees so that the fear of paying debt does not keep students out of school.