Another College Rant

I realize that this is the second post that I’ve had about my feelings for college – and reasonably so. It is something that seems to be on my mind a lot lately and is apparently a rather sensitive subject. A girl who unknowingly insulted me recently rekindled my inner frustrations tonight. In the midst of a totally unrelated conversation, she proceeded to ask me “so what classes are you taking this semester?” It was then that I explained to her that I dropped out of college just over a year ago. Usually when I have this conversation with people, a typical response that I can expect is something along the lines of “oh yeah? You just didn’t like it or what?” and that is fine by me – no, I didn’t like it. I justify this by saying “well, yeah. You only live once and I wasn’t about to waste my time doing something that made me unhappy” and that’s about as good as the conversation is going to get. Upon telling this girl, we’ll call her Karen for now, her quick response of “oh my God, why? What’re you doing with your life?” both startled me and immediately frustrated me as it quickly brought to the front of my mind images of an old, Catholic nun-mother scolding her burnout, pot-smoking son akin to the actors in Detroit Rock City. She said this not in interest, but rather in a scolding, almost offended tone as if the idea of me voluntarily opting for the life of a garbage man was the most gruesome thing she had heard in years. 

I think the reason that I’m so sensitive about this subject in particular is because while I really, truly believe that college is not the answer for success – I have absolutely nothing to show for this other than perhaps a negative conversation piece. It would be different had I a high paying job or something to show for my dropping out so as to prove that I’m actually making use of my newfound free time instead of just working at Starbucks and the Levi’s store. Sure, I’ve moved a couple times. Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy I’ve gotten to experience all that, it’s just that telling somebody that you chose the life of a vagabond instead of doing what most well-guided 20 year olds are doing just doesn’t fly well in the minds of my peers. Am I screwing myself over in the long run? I hope not. I trust that I’ll be just fine, but I’ve really got nothing more than hope at this point in my life.

Now here’s my beef. Brace yourself for some harsh, opinionated criticisms: 

I heard recently that somewhere along the lines of 3% of the richest people in the world possess 99% of the available money. That’s ridiculous. You know what most, if not all of those 3% have in common? No, it’s not a college degree – they’re all into business in one way or another. Most opened successful businesses, sold ideas, or invested super wisely at one point in their lives. Truthfully, this doesn’t sound all that difficult to me. This sounds a lot easier than working my ass off for a degree in law school, that’s for sure. Try looking at it this way: Even the MOST successful college graduates from the most promising medical programs or law schools will turn around and use their degree to work all the way up until retirement. The most successful people with degrees will probably earn somewhere in the $200,000 dollar range a year. Which, don’t get me wrong, is great money. But compared to the millions and billions of dollars that successful business owners have the potential of making, it’s bullshit how hard you have to work to accept mediocrity. There, I said it. College breeds mediocrity. You’re still going to have a boss breathing down your neck for most of your life. You’re still going to be pressured to work your God-given ass off. You’re still going to stress over stupid shit. You’re still going to neglect your family. You’re still going to end up a rich, old prude who spent his whole life in an office while those other 3% were out living the best possible lifestyle full of financial stability and spending time with their families. If the life of a stressed out, office-liver is what you want – shit, go ahead and lessen the competition. 

(That being said, I think I ought to clarify that I’m not opposed to going to school strictly because you want to. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to learn. Do it for your own good. Not because you had nothing better to do out of high school. You can party without spending thousands a semester.) 

All it takes is an idea and a lot of hard work. I have every intention of doing my absolute best to becoming part of that 3% and doing all I can to make this world a better place because of it.  (see: The Justin Borge Scholarship or ask me about my idea to fund the research of transforming tasty, fatty foods into tasty, healthy foods – I think it’s totally possible.) 

As a result of too much pride, I’ve never been one to embrace authority. I don’t respond well to orders and despise being expected to behave a certain way. Those who have worked with me, I hope can vouch for this. It’s because of this hatred for authority that myself and another good friend of mine promised each other that, when we’re all grown up, there’s no way in hell we’re ever going to work for someone. No way in hell we’re going to respond to a boss, say yes to anything we don’t want to do, or bend over and let them stick their corporate cocks in our asses ever again. This is the kind of mentality you need in the back of your mind at all times when planning for your future. This is the kind of thing that keeps me dreaming up new business ideas. This is the kind of thing that keeps me waking up in the morning. 

Author’s note: I think college is a great way to broaden your horizon and something that should be experienced by all who value “getting smart.” I am frustrated by the popular impression that once you graduate; you make money. I’m even more frustrated that, despite my beliefs, I still question why I dropped out. 

-Justin