Are Students “Better Off” Not Going to University?
I’m not totally against university, but I don’t think it’s a must anymore — especially with how expensive it is. I went because I thought I had to, but honestly, half the stuff I learned I could’ve figured out online or on the job. A few of my friends skipped uni and did apprenticeships or just started working — and now they’re way ahead, career-wise and debt-free.
That said, if you want to be a doctor or an engineer, sure, you need a degree. But for a lot of jobs, experience, networking, and practical skills carry more weight. These days, people are building careers through YouTube, coding bootcamps, or even just learning from free resources.
University can still be a great experience — but it’s not the only path anymore. You’ve just got to weigh the pros and cons and be clear on why you’re going and what you actually want out of it. Sometimes it’s just not worth the price tag.
Vocabulary
a must – something that is very important or necessary, “Visiting the Eiffel Tower is a must when in Paris.”
figured out – solved or understood something, “I finally figured out how to fix my computer.”
on the job – learning or doing something while working, “She learned a lot on the job as a teacher.”
skipped – missed or did not attend, “He skipped breakfast this morning.”
apprenticeships – programs where you learn a trade while working, “Many young people start apprenticeships to gain skills.”
way ahead – far more advanced or prepared than others, “She is way ahead in her studies.”
debt-free – without owing money, “I want to graduate debt-free.”
degree – a qualification from a university or college, “He earned a degree in engineering.”
carry more weight – to have greater importance or influence, “Experience often carries more weight than certificates.”
weigh the pros and cons – to consider the advantages and disadvantages, “Before buying a car, I weighed the pros and cons.”
worth – having value or importance, “It’s worth saving money for a vacation.”
the price tag – the cost of something, “The price tag on that laptop is very high.”