The summer before and the first semester of senior year are arguably the most stressful times in a student’s life. Most students are figuring out what next steps to take in life and whether or not they are applying to college. If a student decides to go down the path of college, there is often a highly competitive spirit between students as to which colleges they will be applying to. Many students feel pressured to attend selective universities with low acceptance rates. The academic environment at Redwood further raises the bar for college admissions, making students feel even more pressured to attend top-tier universities. The entire situation around college can evoke many emotions: it can be overwhelming and raise a sense of isolation, as well as causing feelings of stress that everyone else is a step ahead. Instead of believing that other colleges are not as prestigious based on acceptance rate or brand recognition, students need to foster the overall importance and power of a college education. Students should remind themselves that they are there for a valuable education, not for a university’s name. One can receive a quality education at any college they attend, meaning students should not feel pressured to attend a top school.

Receiving a college degree from any university is useful. Having a college degree leads to increased job opportunities, preparation for a specialized career, economic stability, learning how to communicate with others and much more. According to the Georgetown Center in Education and the Workforce, college graduates have 58 percent more job opportunities than non-graduates. When choosing to attend college, you can receive all of these benefits, regardless of the university you attend.
An essential benefit of a college degree is economic stability. According to the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, people with a bachelor’s degree earn 68 percent more than someone with a high school diploma. A college degree allows you to get a higher position at a job and gives the potential for one to make a higher salary than non-graduates. When you go through college education, it teaches you how to think critically, shows you have ambition and demonstrates that you are a committed person. These are all qualities employers look for, which widen the range of career opportunities and the possibility for higher earnings. Having these opportunities allows one to have economic independence, a fundamental and vital element for success.
Not only does attending a university help you have economic stability, but more importantly, it allows you to develop and grow as a person. Students are put into a brand new environment, which causes them to take risks and challenge themselves. They learn how to become independent. College forces students to gain new experiences, which in the long run will help them build their confidence. Students learn how to make their own decisions and learn to be responsible. All of these aspects of college help students develop a sense of purpose. These are vital life skills that people may not be able to develop anywhere else. Students will grow and become a better version of themselves, no matter what school they attend.
According to the Pew Research Center, the class of 2023 in the US had a career success rate of 83 percent. This high career success rate reflects data from all universities, not just the top-tier universities, highlighting that success is achievable regardless of the university you attend. Students need to refrain from thinking they are not good enough if they are not attending one of the top universities, and remember that they can be successful from any place. Next time you feel pressured to attend a top university, remember that you can accomplish just as much at any university, no matter the name.