Teens & University

I appreciate my university education. It’s given me skills that have become indispensible to my daily living – the ability to think critically, an understanding of how to question, and the like. But in as much as I consider such broadening of perspectives invaluable, I’ve come to be extremely cynical on the stress imposed on high school students to get into the institution of their “choice.” Moreso if the student parent is aiming for a high-brow British university or whatnot.

I see such aims as both fiscally irresponsible and a waste of time. The more expensive the institution, the more specific the program, the less inherent flexibility there is for the student to change their mind. That fluidity is necessary, because unless one expects a 16 year old to somehow be imbued with the knowledge of a recent graduate, we shouldn’t expect him/her to not change their mind on the degree of choice. It’s only natural, as anyone who’se been through the grind will tell you.

So when I see news tidbits on kids suffering burnouts over their attempts to get into prestigious schools, I can’t help but think their parents blinded by their own aspirations. Naturally, there’s nothing wrong with getting into a prestigious school. But a 22 year old equipped with a university degree and a clearer mind is much better informed at making such a decision than a 16 year old still trying to grasp the basics of adult life.