Why study?

If you're in your final year of high school (EGB, Preparatoria) you're at a point in your life when you have to make important decisions. One of these decisions has to do with learning or what to study. But, let's take a step back first. Some students aren't so worried about what to study but are thinking about a much more fundamental question: do I want to keep learning?

There will also be many of you who left school a couple of years ago. You didn't study and now you feel a desire to get training or build skills, learn new things or challenge yourself intellectually. And you're asking yourself the same question: What do I want to Learn? Do I want to study?

There can be many reasons for deciding that now is not the time to study, from financial to motivational ones. Some examples we hear a lot include:

• I can't find a degree that fully convinces me and I don't want to invest so much time and money in something I'm not 100% sure about.
• I'd rather start working. That way I can buy more things and pay off the debts I have.
• Studying is very expensive, I could end up with a large debt when I finish the degree. And what if I don't earn enough afterwards to pay it off?
• I don't feel like being in a controlled system and doing homework every day. Elementary and high school was enough.
• A diploma is no guarantee of a good income.
• The job market values work experience more than diplomas.
• I want to take a year to travel and do things I enjoy.

As you can see, some of these arguments refer to temporary arguments. Maybe you do want to study, but now is not the right time, because you don't know what you want to do with your life, you want to enjoy a year of freedom, or because you first have to pay off debts.

In these cases it may be advisable to take a year to work, travel, think, or whatever you need to do, and make the decision about what degree to study a year later.

For the other arguments, which are certainly valid, it's important that you also know the advantages that studying can have for you.

Advantages of learning:

• Studying for a university degree will help develop your professional career and general culture. No matter which degree you choose, in the years you spend at university you will learn about unfamiliar topics, talk to people with other points of view and learn to structure your arguments and opinions well. You will acquire tools that will be very useful to you throughout your life.
• With a university degree (bachelor's or master's) you will generally start earning a higher salary than a person without these studies. So, even if you start working a couple of years later, the wait will be worth it financially.
• You will have more opportunities to grow in the organization that hires you. Unfortunately, for some managerial or executive positions it is necessary to have a bachelor's or master's degree. 
• Student life is fun! Of course, this is a serious decision that you should not take lightly. And you will have to consider serious arguments. But you should also not forget that the time you study at university can be the most fun time of your life. You meet many new people, you have free time to devote to hobbies, travel and yes, why not?, going for a beer with friends from time to time.
• If you decide to take a “break” from your studies and go back to school a year or two later, there is a risk: that you will never go back. You will probably get used to having a little more income, more freedom and you will lose the habit of reading and studying a lot. It can be difficult to start again after a year without books and discipline.

Studying for a university degree is certainly not inexpensive. But see it as a long-term investment. And there are scholarships! Research what scholarships and other support are available in your country or in the country where you would like to study to see how they can help you achieve your dreams. And there is also the option of studying and working part-time. That way you ensure that you can earn a steady income while also working on your education. This option can be especially interesting for those who are already working, have a family or have some financial responsibility.

Investing time and money in an education can never be a bad idea. We wish you all the success in the world in your university experience!