NEW YORK — It’s back-to-school time and that means millions of college kids will be heading back to campus to focus on their future. Interestingly, almost three-quarters of Americans believe college isn’t just about academia — it also teaches important life lessons. That’s according to a new poll of 2,000 adults, which revealed 73 percent agree that college educates you about adult life beyond coursework and the classroom.
While doing well in school and getting good grades ranks as the hardest part of college (46%), time management (45%), having more responsibilities (44%), and living on your own (43%) followed closely behind.
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Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Texas Tech University, results also revealed that 44 percent are currently considering returning to college or, if they’ve never been, going for the first time. Approximately two in five respondents (44%) are keen to try college again — not because they disliked their first experience, but because they didn’t learn enough vital life skills, such as banking or time management (40%).
On top of that, 42 percent are simply interested in learning new skill sets and 39 percent want to change their career path. Respondents also cited certain areas where colleges could improve. Helping with job interviews and applications (42%) and being affordable for all students (39%) ranked high on the list.
When it comes to choosing a school, respondents consider a few specific factors. Classes or seminars that teach about life beyond the classroom (41%) and positive testimonials from current or previous students (41%) would encourage respondents to choose a certain school.
“We all hear the national conversations about the costs of attending college, asking whether the experience is worth it,” says Texas Tech vice president for enrollment management Jamie Hansard, in a statement. “While what students learn in the classroom can be foundational for the goals and careers they want to pursue, it’s important to understand that the value of college goes far beyond a person’s academic achievements.”
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Of the respondents who have attended college, 85 percent believe college prepared them for adult life, but 80 percent agree if they could go back, they would change some things about their college experience. Of the life skills those respondents picked up during their time in college, organizational skills (53%) and discovering their passions (47%) ranked as the top two.
When asked what skills college taught them that they still apply to adult life, respondents highlighted, “how to be independent,” “how to arrive when instructed,” and “how to approach people in the correct way.”
Nearly a third who’ve attended college add that the highlight of their experience was making friends, with experiencing “Greek life” (16%) and undertaking internships (15%) rounding out the top three.
Seventy percent of those who attended college work in the field associated with their degree. With that in mind, 70 percent of all respondents agree their career goals are more attainable if they attend college.
“It’s nearly impossible to assign a dollar amount to the value of college,” Hansard says. “How do you put a number on discovering your passion? How do you put a value on the friendships you make in college, many that last a lifetime and may help you reach your goals later in life? How do you put a number on the personal growth and development you experience along the way? College can help you do all these things and give you an education. If you take advantage of those opportunities, it’s absolutely worth it.”