Going into college, I always heard that freshman year would be the hardest. Looking back, it was actually one of the most fun and fulfilling years of my life. While the classes were challenging, emotionally I felt steady and motivated. I expected to get homesick, but I didn’t. I was completely focused on being the best student I could be. I felt connected to the student body, passionate about my studies, and excited about what lay ahead.
Now, as a senior, my thoughts on college have shifted. Over the last four years, so much has changed—both in my own life and in the world. It’s been eye-opening to see how quickly everything can evolve.
When I started college, ChatGPT had just been released. I thought of it as a neat assistant..nothing more. But it didn’t take long before I realized it was far more than that. The rise of AI caused a major shift in the job market. Majors that once guaranteed high-paying jobs, like computer science, suddenly became uncertain. At first, I even took coding classes myself, only to realize AI could already do much of what I was learning, faster and better. So instead of resisting it, I adapted. I learned how to use AI as a tool to make my work easier and more efficient. Around me, I saw classmates switching majors or planning to pursue higher education as a safety net—master’s degrees, law school, MBAs—anything to stay competitive.
This led me to think about the bigger picture. I was raised in a community where college was not just encouraged, it was expected. Everyone went, no questions asked. Everyone encouraged me to go, except my dad (who went himself). He was the one person who raised concerns. He always said that too many people go to college only to end up with massive debt and jobs that don’t require their degrees. And honestly, he had a point. Nearly half of college graduates work in jobs unrelated to their majors. So why spend years in debt chasing a piece of paper that may or may not improve your life?
The same goes for graduate school. Today, there are countless online MBA programs promising career changes and pay raises. While that might be true for some, many of these programs have become oversaturated, which ultimately dilutes the value of the degree. And with online programs, students lose one of the most valuable parts of an MBA experience.. networking.
I know I’m not the only one who sees this shift. When our parents went to college, degrees almost guaranteed good jobs. But the world has changed. The opportunities that existed for them don’t necessarily exist for us. Through my work experience, I’ve seen firsthand that a degree doesn’t guarantee a dream job, or even a stable one. I’ve witnessed mass layoffs and unhappy coworkers who followed every “rule” they were told would bring success. One thing I’ve learned for certain: it’s up to you to make your own opportunities.
I think Gen Z will develop a mild resentment toward college, and admissions rates will likely drop in the coming years, especially with declining birth rates. Ironically, that might make degrees more valuable again someday. Time will tell.
During college, I also started a couple of small businesses. To be blunt, if I had spent as much time on my businesses as I did on classwork, homework, and studying, I’m confident I’d be earning at least double what I’ll make after graduation. Maybe even triple. That’s a hard realization. My student responsibilities have sometimes felt like they were holding me back, but that’s about the extent of my complaints.
Because despite everything I’ve said, I am deeply thankful for my college experience. It’s given me so much more than just academic knowledge. I’ve learned how to communicate better, present confidently, and think critically. I’ve met incredible people, funded my businesses through competitions, built savings, and gained valuable internship experience that has set me up for the future.
So yes, I may sound conflicted, but maybe that’s the point. College has its flaws, but it’s also been a launchpad. It taught me that success isn’t about what degree you get—it’s about what you do with it. The cream always rises to the top. College gave me the confidence to know I can learn and do anything. And that belief is worth more than any single class or grade.
I’ll admit, I don’t always know exactly what I’m doing. But I always figure it out. And that process, of figuring things out, is where I thrive. That’s what keeps me going.
If you’re at a crossroads, trying to decide whether college is right for you, think carefully about what you truly want for your future. If you don’t have a strong passion for your field—or if you’re going just to go—pause and reevaluate. College can be an incredible investment, but only if you know what you want out of it.