College?

In today's society, most everyone expects you to go to college. It isn't like what it was back in the eighties or nineties. Back then, you could tell your parents that you wanted to start a band and just dismiss college all together; however, now if you tell your parents that, they're likely to tell you that you need a good education.

Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed about going off to college and majoring in something such as international criminal law or journalism, something that would involve traveling. College always seemed like this place you would go off to and start a new life. It fascinated me how much of a different world it is and I was so eager to go off and learn something in classrooms full of people who wish to be there. Then I started to get really into YouTube and film and photography. It was then that I learned that majority of YouTubers either didn't go to college or dropped out of college; however, not all of them did.

With that, I'm starting to debate whether or not I want to go to college. Yes, college is a great opportunity, but it's also not for everyone. For example, my aspirations are to travel the world and be a photographer and meet new people. How is college going to help with that aspiration? Sure, I could major in a foreign language or even photography, but I firmly believe that someone can be an amazing photographer by just practicing the art or even by having a natural talent. I suppose what I'm saying is that a college photography, or digital media, course isn't really going to teach you what you need to know. Of course, it will teach you about lighting and perhaps editing, but it will not necessarily teach you the skill.

Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't go to college if you want to be a photographer, mind you. It's an incredibly smart choice to go off to college and major in something such as a foreign language or digital media or something completely different and then work to be a photographer on the side. That is a smart choice, but not a smart choice for everyone.

I spoke to my French teacher about this once and she told me to go to college and study something I love and that I'm passionate about, like French and photography. She then told me that with that, or those, degree(s) I could go off and do what I wish. However, if I went to college I'd be spending four years of my time trapped on a campus when I could be travelling.

I also spoke to my father about this and he told me that as long as I find something I'm passionate about, I'll be able to make it work out. He gave me the idea to create a blog originally. He reasoned that if I started a blog and gathered a fair amount of followers, companies would want to advertise on my blog. He did mention, unfortunately, that not only would I have to foot the first few bills for travel on my own, but also that things may not work out as I wish for them to.

Anyhow, life's what you make of it, so make it something you love.

xx Brittany