Value of Education

With May 1st behind us, college deposits are in for next year, and now we have a rush of soon to be seniors starting make college visits to find the best fit for them.  Here are a few things to think about as you start making one of the most important decisions you will make.


Wisdom is Gold
Think of your education as an investment.  At Calvin College, like many other good schools, the rate at which graduates are getting jobs or getting into top Grad schools is quite high.  It seems like we upgrade our cars, phones, t.v.'s, and other simple things without thinking twice, yet I see a lot of families really have a hard time spending any extra funds on their college education.  Your education is not going to depreciate, it is one of the few things that is only going to keep giving you opportunities and opening doors in your life.  Save for your education, don't be afraid to invest in your future, and you will find wisdom is Gold.

Three biggest decisions that shape your life.
It has been said that the three biggest decisions that shape your life are your faith, the person you marry, and the college you choose.  It could be said that the college you choose will shape the first two, making it the most important decision that shapes your life.  When you think about it this way, your decision shouldn't be based on whether one campus is prettier than another, or you had a better tour guide, or you like the food.  When you visit, you need to talk to people and ask important questions.  Most schools can make a good first impression, it is up to you to dig a little deeper than that, because once you are on campus as a student, you don't get the red carpet tour anymore.

Surround yourself with people, not buildings.

The people on campus are going to make a bigger difference in your life than any of the buildings will.  How do the professors care about their students, how strong are the relationships on the team, how are those relationships built, and if you are going to a faith based school, how is that incorporated into the program so you can continue to grow.  If you are not going to a faith based school, are there opportunities to get what you need.  These are great questions to ask.  Sometimes things don't go as planned in college and almost everyone is going to struggle with something, will you have the people around you to get you through whatever life gives you during those four years.

Proverbs 8:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.