While many people feel going to college was a wise decision and that they made the right decisions while there, others find themselves wondering if they made a wrong turn along the way. With the high cost of college and rising student debt, you want to make sure that you think through your decisions and choose the right path for you.

Do any of the following reasons for going to college resonate with you?

#1 Not-So-Right Reason: College is what's expected

You may feel as though you are expected to go to college. But going to college just because you’re expected to might leave you feeling discontented, directionless, and wondering why you're there.

A Better Reason: College CAN open up opportunities

In college, you have the opportunity not only to focus on a chosen field of study but to also take classes covering a wide range of topics. It can be a time to explore your interests, develop personal and professional skills, study abroad, and meet lifelong friends. College may also provide opportunities to explore different career paths through internships as well as opportunities to build a personal and professional network of professors, alumni and peers. 

#2 Not-So-Right Reason: College will be the best party ever

College can be a lot of fun. There are new people to meet, various extracurricular activities and events, and freedom. But, if you go to college just for the parties, you may graduate with fond memories and little else.

A Better Reason: College challenges you to become an independent adult

For many students, college teaches them to be independent. It’s also one of the first opportunities to make your own decisions and take responsibility for yourself. The academic demands of college can be much higher than what you experienced in high school, and you are responsible for succeeding without teachers, parents or other adults telling you to study and work hard. It’s largely up to you to make the right decisions about everything from managing your spending money to registering for and succeeding in classes to taking care of your physical and mental health.

#3 Not-So-Right Reason: College is where your friends are going

There's comfort in a steady romance or a reliable friendship you’ve had for years, so why not maintain that comfort level in college? However, making decisions based on what your friends are doing and where they’re going to college may not be wise. Consider what you want and what your goals are rather than blindly following the pack.

A Better Reason: College provides exposure to diverse ideas and diverse people

In college, you are likely to be exposed to new and different people with diverse ideas and beliefs. Learning how to work with a variety of people and observing new ways of doing things is an education in itself and can have positive and life-changing effects. Most of all, college can help you see that the little bubble that you come from is but one of many such bubbles that exist around the world.

#4 Not-So-Right Reason: To prepare for a career you don’t want

Perhaps you want to attend college to pursue a career that really doesn’t interest you, or one that you are unsure about. If so, you may be better off attending community college or taking time out with a gap year before committing to a four-year degree.

A Better Reason: College offers opportunities to explore

Yet, attending college can offer you valuable opportunities to explore your career options. In addition to looking for colleges that have highly ranked programs in your major, it’s also important to look at a college’s career resources and internship opportunities and how easy it is to switch majors. Some colleges are better than others at helping students discover their career passions or explore a field to uncover careers they might never have considered.

#5 Not-So-Right Reason: To get a high-paying job

While research indicates that college graduates make more money, on average, across their lifetimes than those who do not graduate college, going to college for only this reason might lead to an unfulfilling experience or outcome, especially if you are pursuing a career only because it pays well.

A college degree is no guarantee of a successful and prosperous life and there are many paths to financial success. For example, many careers in the skilled trades have high salaries, yet don’t require the time or financial investment of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

A Better Reason: Graduating from college pays in the end

However, research shows that there are long-lasting benefits of a college degree. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities shows that the median annual earnings of college graduates are 86 percent higher (or $40,500 more) than the earnings of those with only a high school diploma. The data also states that college graduates experience less unemployment over a lifetime and live longer than non-college grads.

Of course, in addition to these benefits, college offers opportunities for personal and intellectual growth that can be invaluable, and to many students this is the reason they want to go to college in the first place.

Know Your College “Why?”

Deciding whether or not to attend college is a big — and personal — decision. You may discover that heading directly to a four-year college is the right choice for you, but don't forget to consider alternate routes such as taking a gap year or attending community college or a trade school.

Along with all the other factors you may consider on your college path — such as majors, campus features, and costs — it's important to take the time to consider your goals and dreams, and how college may help you achieve them. Understanding all the reasons why you want to go to college may help you make the best college choice in the end. Good luck!