Should you go to college? This is often the question prospective students ask themselves right before completing high school. With all the economic uncertainties, is college really worth it? The unqualified answer? Yes.

Attending college will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. You get to meet a diverse group of individuals ready to learn as much as you are. You leave the comfort of home to discover new experiences and opportunities.

Education is the single most important factor in your personal growth. The things you learn and do and the people you meet in college will continue on with you long after you’ve left the campus.

So how well can a prospective college equip you for the real world? Here are three ways to know if your prospective college can prepare you for long-term success.

1.   The value of mentors

College isn’t just about attending class and achieving high grades. College is also the perfect place to meet life-long friends. But more importantly, it’s the place to meet mentors that can maximize your personal and professional development.

Whether you attend art courses in Dubai or a school of business in London, finding the right faculty member to double as your mentor helps you thrive. A mentor is invested in your education, goals, and well-being, which in turn pushes you to achieve more and strive for success.

Understanding the value of a mentor can help in vetting prospective employers. Seek out employment opportunities with a strong culture of mentorship.

2.   Developing a strong network of friends and references

College is where you develop life-long friends. Passions, opinions, and values are some of the striking conversations you’ll have with your classmates and professors. These opportunities build the necessary bridges for networking long after college has ended.

College gives you the opportunity to make great impressions in front of your prospective references. A good reference from a college professor is incredibly valuable. They can confirm to your future employer about your drive, ethics, and other traits that make you a strong employee candidate.

3.   The type of education matters

Education isn’t just about the lectures you attend or the essays you write. Education is the complete academic experience you gain from attending college. Collaborative learning, hands-on research, and internships all matter in the real world.

These opportunities allow students to learn about the value of teamwork, leadership skills, and the ability to apply classroom learnings to real-world situations. Accredited colleges like Pearson Assured schools create well-rounded graduates that are better trained to face the challenges of a modern world.

Final thoughts

College is no longer just about attending classes and getting good grades.

While it is important to select a prospective college according to its pedigree, it is just as important to find a college that can help you achieve your goals beyond the classroom. Future students should consider what kind of extracurricular, interactive, and hands-on experiences there are from a prospective college.

A prospective college should take advantage of education beyond the classroom and interdisciplinary projects. A college that strives to challenge young minds intellectually and socially creates and encourages graduates to become better prepared for life after graduation.

Author Bio

Nowshir Engineer

Nowshir is the founder of EMDI and spends much of his time traveling across all of EMDI’s branches in India, Dubai and Africa. He calls Dubai his home and has painstakingly grown EMDI from a small institute to a global conglomerate, now partnered with Greycells Education.

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October 3, 2017