As senior year approaches for all juniors, one essential thought springs forward: Yes! One more year of high school! Then it’s over! No more stringent rules, no more rigorous tests, and no more vexatious teachers.

This rationale is common but shouldn’t be acted upon, because it is the misguided reasoning of an individual who anticipates on settling for only a high-school diploma. Being coaxed by the prominent names of Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, two wealthy men who earned only a high-school diploma, though each did attend college. It would be monotonous and laborious to have only a high school diploma in this struggling economy. College is essential to experiencing and building a good life. This world is filled with competitors eager to crush the weak and, with a college degree, you have a fighting chance to compete with the best and excel in your capacity to strive beyond your means.

College is notorious for its rigorous courses, as well as its stern policy of academic integrity. College is an experience unlike any other; it might be freighting at first, but the exciting aspect and the people whom you will encounter, are what will help shape your future. College is imperative because it’s filled with opportunity for better jobs that high-school graduates today are unable to get. Lucrative employment based only on a high-school diploma is uncommon. In a college setting, students have the privilege to read and attend lectures by experts in their field of study. This incentive encourages students to create questions and think and explore new ideas, which allow for further growth and progress. It provides college graduates with a broader knowledge in the job market over those who have not experienced a higher education.

A few unique individuals of talent can provide themselves a comfortable or luxurious life without a college degree, and some lucky and fortunate individuals accumulate their wealth through the lottery or their family’s heritage or business; however, for most, it is the college experience that provides more networking opportunities, and the beginning of the job search begins. Having a college degree often leads to higher promotions and better positions on the job.

Fundamentally, college is indispensable to how far in life you can go, but to settle for only a high-school diploma is insufficient. College will lead you to a life of accomplishments and help you to realize dreams, but having only a high school diploma will potentially keep you hopping from one job to another, working at some tedious, despondent job that leaves you unsatisfied.