(DegreeAdvisers.com) – You’re about to go off to college for the first time. Determined to pass every course and get that degree, you know you’re starting on the path to success.
But can a college degree actually make you happy? Many college students are so fixated on achieving their academic goals that they fail to ask this question. Are you any more likely to be happy in the long run by going to college than you are by doing something else?
Here’s What the Experts Say
Happiness is such an abstract concept that it’s hard to define a single answer or solution for it. But believe it or not, statistics indicate that people with more education are more likely to be happy over the long-term than people without it.
One of the main reasons for this is — you guessed it — money. Someone who has a college degree is also more likely to bring in more income over the course of his or her life than someone with only a high school diploma. Financial security can have a huge effect on overall comfort and happiness.
One report from the Commission on Health showed that individuals with more education were more likely to be healthier due to better eating habits and increased physical activity. They’re also more likely to get the medical care they need and refrain from bad habits such as drinking and smoking. While the link between money and happiness only goes so far, it’s an important part of ensuring individuals have access to their needs.
Earning a college degree is a great way to enrich your mind, make connections and enjoy a diversity of experiences. It also gives you a sense of direction, which can be a satisfying feeling. Having goals is healthy, according to Psychology Today, and making progress on those goals can often help bring us happiness in our daily lives.
A Degree Is Just the Beginning
Your college degree can open up so many doors, providing opportunities to learn and grow that you never imagined. It’s no wonder that an education can play a part in helping you find happiness.
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that a college degree can’t guarantee lifelong joy and satisfaction. You can have all the money and knowledge in the world and still struggle to find happiness. Real happiness is about so much more than getting the college experience and paving the way to financial success. It’s also about looking inward, feeling confident in yourself and finding what brings you joy. There are so many factors that can influence your emotional well-being, and college is only the beginning.
College is a big investment, but if it’s a path you decide to pursue, it could be worth the challenge. It’s time to follow your heart and make those dreams a reality!
~Here’s to Your Success!
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