"You don't have to be a genius or a visionary or even a college graduate to be successful. You just need a framework and a dream."

- Michael Dell

As a recent college grad, I am now moving onto a new part of my life with no finals and no PowerPoints telling me everything I need to know. I am however in plenty of debt, but regardless I don't regret going to college at all. That being said, I don't think it's necessary nor practical to expect everyone to go to college, especially in America. Plenty of countries outside the US offer free University or very cheap tuition. This is not the case though, here in the States. The average Class of 2016 graduate (a.k.a me) in the United States has $37,172 in student loan debt, 6% more than last year, and it's only going up. Getting a college education should not put you in debt for most of your life, it's absolutely insane that it's come to this in America.

There are so many people that I've met, who are just as smart and capable, if not more, than me but don't always get the same opportunities I do, because they aren't able to afford college. Does going to college make you smarter? Yes, if you take it seriously. Of course, there's a difference between book smarts and street smarts. There are plenty of jobs that require a college degree, but you learn everything you need to know on the job. The reason many people don't take High School as seriously as they should, is because they know they won't be able to afford college, so they feel there's no point in trying.

College offers a lot more than gaining an advanced education as well. The four years I spent at my University felt more like a decades worth of personal growth. I honestly am so grateful for how much I was able to see and learn that has helped me become the person I am today. My best friend is in a position where she hasn't had the financial help that I've had that allowed me to go to college. I know she will achieve so much in her life, but college would make it easier for her to reach her goals. It shouldn't have to be that way in the US. Hopefully in the near future my kids will not have to be in debt just to go to college. At the end of the day, don't let not being able to go college right away or ever hold you back from achieving your dreams.