Why do I need a piece of paper to prove I know something? Is college needed?

Why do I need a piece of paper to prove I know something? Is college really necessary? I just finished paying off some $1,700 out of my own pocket to complete the rest that was due in order to continue on this semester. Throughout me going to college it always hit me,why is this needed? I come to class, hear a boring lecture, read the book, take test, move on. The book and stuff, im ordered to order them online or at a book store.

What is stopping someone, the average joe, from purchasing these same books at home and learning the samething, without the additional need of paying tuition? There are a lot of smart people who just read book or can gain the same information online for free, without going to college, yet are having trouble getting good jobs because they dont have a diploma. I just dont get it :(

2 of my classes are over stuff that you could easily learn online for free in a week or two. Another 2 of my classes are just pointless. I feel like I am only getting my money's worth out of 1 of my classes this year.

college professors with doctorettes usually helping you through things you don't get and to give those lectures and expand upon them is mainly what you're paying for. what are you majoring in that you supposedly know everything about already?

It's not a hard concept

You're trained in a particular field and tested in it, when you're shown to be good enough you're awarded proof that you're qualified.

This is a tried and true method of teaching that's been around from the age of the caveman

Bigger question! Why do wee need colorful paper to buy things?

college professors with doctorettes usually helping you through things you don't get and to give those lectures and expand upon them is mainly what you're paying for. what are you majoring in that you supposedly know everything about already?

drumbreak1

that's what a portfolio/demo reel/website is for

It is "proof" that you know that "something".

[QUOTE="drumbreak1"]I basically learn more from the books than whats coming out of the professor's mouth. Tjeremiah1988

Yeah i get what you mean, its all for the piece of paper that i even bother to attend the ****s.

College is needed if you want to be respected as an adult and get a good job.

It's not a hard concept

You're trained in a particular field and tested in it, when you're shown to be good enough you're awarded proof that you're qualified.

This is a tried and true method of teaching that's been around from the age of the caveman

Jaysonguy

It's just the way it has always been, so people accept it.

[QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

It's not a hard concept

You're trained in a particular field and tested in it, when you're shown to be good enough you're awarded proof that you're qualified.

This is a tried and true method of teaching that's been around from the age of the caveman

Tjeremiah1988

Yes, the test is not 100% acurate of ones abillities. When you start work, it all comes down to yourself whether you fail or succeed. But the degree is the ticket to allow you do land a decent job in the first place.

[QUOTE="Tjeremiah1988"][QUOTE="Jaysonguy"]

It's not a hard concept

You're trained in a particular field and tested in it, when you're shown to be good enough you're awarded proof that you're qualified.

This is a tried and true method of teaching that's been around from the age of the caveman

Zerocrossings

Yes, the test is not 100% acurate of ones abillities. When you start work, it all comes down to yourself whether you fail or succeed. But the degree is the ticket to allow you do land a decent job in the first place.

It's not the piece of paper, it's the education leading to the piece of paper that you need. If you feel it's unnecessary, I invite you to go to a doctor who has never been to college to let him or her perform thoracic surgery on you. Good luck!xaos

Many employers (not all) want you to have that paper because it tells them you are willing to work hard. Many people who get a degree are not even working in their degree field, but since they have a degree, the employee is more likely to hire them instead of the person without a degree which may be seen as laziness.

College grows you as a person.

[QUOTE="xaos"]It's not the piece of paper, it's the education leading to the piece of paper that you need. If you feel it's unnecessary, I invite you to go to a doctor who has never been to college to let him or her perform thoracic surgery on you. Good luck!bdever32

A degree helps, yeah, some people are naturally talented at something and can rely totally on their talent, and if you happen to be one of those, by all means, go for it, but it helps to have a degree in something.

There is no RIGHT answer, there are different answers for different people.

The way the USA is working lately a college degree doesnt mean as much as it used to. College grads are having as hard of a time finding work now as any other group of people.tester962

Well there are many more people looking for work, so it does seem that way. Having a degree is still very important though and places the person above others applying for the same position.

[QUOTE="bdever32"][QUOTE="xaos"]It's not the piece of paper, it's the education leading to the piece of paper that you need. If you feel it's unnecessary, I invite you to go to a doctor who has never been to college to let him or her perform thoracic surgery on you. Good luck!Aznsilvrboy

[QUOTE="Aznsilvrboy"][QUOTE="bdever32"] Well, I don't think a doctor is a good example.They would probably tell you their undergraduate education was completely useless. Technically, you can major in history and still go to med school. bdever32

[QUOTE="Zerocrossings"]

[QUOTE="Tjeremiah1988"] I understand that. Ive run into many people who havent graduated college to know more, depending on the circumstance, than a college graduate. They have their qualified certificate, yet fail. I also notice a lot of college students cheat during test, etc. Tjeremiah1988

Yes, the test is not 100% acurate of ones abillities. When you start work, it all comes down to yourself whether you fail or succeed. But the degree is the ticket to allow you do land a decent job in the first place.

Also bear in mind that knowing more doesn't mean you actually know what to do in any circumstance. For example in science or math related degrees a lot of the time knowledge =/= intelligence; you have to deal with abstract and theoretical situations. No matter how much you study from a book, you need the experience, intuition and discipline instilled in university/college to work through them. Uni/college also helps you build a network of people leading to more jobs than what you start with. Trust me on this. I know a few people who went to school just to meet people.