The Importance of a College Education?

[YouBetcha]

I'm 27 and don't have a college education.

I plan to feed, shelter, and maybe even clothe myself as a writer. Assume I'm good at writing, disciplined, and even understand the market enough to get published. College as a means of obtaining a career doesn't interest me, and I love learning on my own.

Let's say I plan on majoring somewhere along the lines of English Lit.

Is college insightful enough to bother? Will it change who I am or how I think? Will it bring anything to my writing? Does it depend on where I go? I will have to spend the first two years worth at a community college.

[BienvenuJDC]

College will only educate you in an academic manner. Life experience (IMO) will give you a better foundation as a writer. If you are disciplined enough, you can get anything from a book (on your own) that you can get in college. Consider various forms of employment (not for the pay but) for the experience of learning things that you can apply in your writing. For example, you can take an EMT course and volunteer in hospitals to gain knowledge and experience in medical terminology and methods, if you want to write about a character who would be experiencing the same kinds of things. Working with animals, or in a homeless shelter might educate you on aspects of real life that you can't get elsewhere. Learn whatever you can wherever. Working for a construction company, draftsman, or various trades would give you incite on how things are built if you want to be able to describe a structure. One of my favorite contemporary authors is Clive Cussler, whose stories center around teams of oceanographers. They usually have to salvage a shipwreck in order to solve their dilemma. Clive actually does ship salvage in real life. He writes about things that he knows about. Broaden your horizons as much as possible, and some schooling may help you do that, but don't invest too much when there's other means to learn as well.

[JBI]

College will only educate you in an academic manner. Life experience (IMO) will give you a better foundation as a writer. If you are disciplined enough, you can get anything from a book (on your own) that you can get in college. Consider various forms of employment (not for the pay but) for the experience of learning things that you can apply in your writing. For example, you can take an EMT course and volunteer in hospitals to gain knowledge and experience in medical terminology and methods, if you want to write about a character who would be experiencing the same kinds of things. Working with animals, or in a homeless shelter might educate you on aspects of real life that you can't get elsewhere. Learn whatever you can wherever. Working for a construction company, draftsman, or various trades would give you incite on how things are built if you want to be able to describe a structure. One of my favorite contemporary authors is Clive Cussler, whose stories center around teams of oceanographers. They usually have to salvage a shipwreck in order to solve their dilemma. Clive actually does ship salvage in real life. He writes about things that he knows about. Broaden your horizons as much as possible, and some schooling may help you do that, but don't invest too much when there's other means to learn as well.

I know many writers who didn't perhaps learn their trade in university, but rather learned about their trade enough to make a successful career. Likewise, it is always good to get constructive feedback for one's work.

Then again, tuition here is at the most 6,000$, and most people get some of that back. It's not cheap, but it isn't the 30,000$ they pay south of us.

[Gregory Samsa]

Well, for me it was necessary to get the job I wanted. But I think it’s good for everyone to go to college and learn critical thinking and to be more open minded. I have studied courses that don’t get me any job, but make me a better person (like literature). However you get financial aid when you go to college where I live, so I guess it’s different if you are a poor student and have to pay for your education by yourself.

[cafolini]

College is also a place where you can learn about many things and meet all kinds of people. The very important thing as a writer is many exposures. No only jobs teach about aspects of reality you couldn't get anywhere else.
But the most important things as a writer is to be in the avantgarde, not fall into that which has previously been done or overdone, and show up, always show up, so that your chances of being in the right place at the right time increase. Good luck counts a lot.

[BienvenuJDC]

But I think it’s good for everyone to go to college and learn critical thinking and to be more open minded.

Critical thinking and being open minded are things that can be learned in life. I don't see how college can be a better place to learn that. I guess you'd have to define "open minded".

[rootinghog]

While of course college isn't a prerequisite to being a great writer, I think it's bound to be a valuable experience if you approach it with an open mind. The classes you choose (and are required) to take will open you up to literature from cultures and time periods that you probably wouldn't have sought out on your own, and the best professors have a way of instilling excitement and interest in genres that you never would have considered otherwise. Even more important for an aspiring writer would be the company of your peers-- I've never been surrounded by more artistic and ambitious people than in my four years as a lit major (although some of the most creative classmates were not english majors). It can be a great forum for sharing your ideas and communing with other up-and-coming artists from your generation.

[YouBetcha]

College will only educate you in an academic manner. Life experience (IMO) will give you a better foundation as a writer. If you are disciplined enough, you can get anythint from a book (on your own) that you can get in college. Consider various forms of employment (not for the pay but) for the experience of learning things that you can apply in your writing. For example, you can take an EMT course and volunteer in hospitals to gain knowledge and experience in medical terminology and methods, if you want to write about a character who would be experiencing the same kinds of things. Working with animals, or in a homeless shelter might educate you on aspects of real life that you can't get elsewhere. Learn whatever you can wherever. Working for a construction company, draftsman, or various trades would give you incite on how things are built if you want to be able to describe a structure. One of my favorite contemporary authors is Clive Cussler, whose stories center around teams of oceanographers. They usually have to salvage a shipwreck in order to solve their dilemma. Clive actually does ship salvage in real life. He writes about things that he knows about. Broaden your horizons as much as possible, and some schooling may help you do that, but don't invest too much when there's other means to learn as well.

I like this answer. I agree that life experience bring more to writing than academic learning. When I want to learn something I'll open 10 books and google a hundred articles. Or sometimes I'll ask a question on a forum.

I will get more specific. Literary analysis, how helpful would it be, as a writer, to read a book with an analytic objective? Or how helpful would it be for the enjoyment of reading and getting the most out of a book?

If this is something I should pursue, do you have any recommendations on learning it outside of a classroom?

Thanks.

[cafolini]

While of course college isn't a prerequisite to being a great writer, I think it's bound to be a valuable experience if you approach it with an open mind. The classes you choose (and are required) to take will open you up to literature from cultures and time periods that you probably wouldn't have sought out on your own, and the best professors have a way of instilling excitement and interest in genres that you never would have considered otherwise. Even more important for an aspiring writer would be the company of your peers-- I've never been surrounded by more artistic and ambitious people than in my four years as a lit major (although some of the most creative classmates were not english majors). It can be a great forum for sharing your ideas and communing with other up-and-coming artists from your generation.

I couldn't have put it better.


I like this answer. I agree that life experience bring more to writing than academic learning. When I want to learn something I'll open 10 books and google a hundred articles. Or sometimes I'll ask a question on a forum.

I will get more specific. Literary analysis, how helpful would it be, as a writer, to read a book with an analytic objective? Or how helpful would it be for the enjoyment of reading and getting the most out of a book?

If this is something I should pursue, do you have any recommendations on learning it outside of a classroom?

Thanks.

People get the impression they can do an awful lot on their own because they look at the unimportant things that go on galore. But learning is a matter of social interaction nevertheless. Meeting people is the most important thing for it to be available. A job might teach you a lot, but it also limits the scope and increases the time it takes with many compromises. You can't get a new job every week. Campus offers the opportunity equivalent to a job everyday in terms of exposure and stimulation. Do not underestimate the environment of academics or the crazyness of what could happen in there.
Also, you go to school to become familiar with references you cannot get anywhere else and that you will later use as needed.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I plan to feed, shelter, and maybe even clothe myself as a writer. Assume I'm good at writing, disciplined, and even understand the market enough to get published.

I don't want to sound negative but from what I gather about making money from writing this is a highly ambitious aspiration, bordering on impossible. Even if you are all of those things and more, the chances of you making a living from writing are extremely slim; you've probably got more chance making it as a famous actor. As I say, I'm only being realistic here - I hope you come back in five years and prove me wrong, but I wouldn't put a penny on it I'm afraid.


Let's say I plan on majoring somewhere along the lines of English Lit.

Is college insightful enough to bother? Will it change who I am or how I think? Will it bring anything to my writing? Does it depend on where I go? I will have to spend the first two years worth at a community college.

Getting a college (university) education can only bring many benefits. However I wouldn't take on lots of debts with the sole aim of becoming a writer. Do college for the sake of college if you can afford to do so.


When I want to learn something I'll open 10 books and google a hundred articles. Or sometimes I'll ask a question on a forum.

Learning in this way is fine, but it is another level to then have to form those thoughts into essays/exams/presentations under the guidance of educated staff, surrounding by like minded people whom you can bounce ideas off and grow.


I will get more specific. Literary analysis, how helpful would it be, as a writer, to read a book with an analytic objective? Or how helpful would it be for the enjoyment of reading and getting the most out of a book?

I think this is a really good set of questions. People are likely to differ to some degree on the answers but mine would be extremely helpful on all counts.


If this is something I should pursue, do you have any recommendations on learning it outside of a classroom?

Difficult to get the same experiences alone. I would try to take part in some classes, even if they are just reading groups if you can. You could also get hold of a syllabus or reading list and do everything that you would have done for a particular module/course yourself, but are you really going to have the discipline to write essays, prepare presentations, research deeply etc, for no merited reason?

[Darcy88]

I'm 27 and don't have a college education.

I plan to feed, shelter, and maybe even clothe myself as a writer. Assume I'm good at writing, disciplined, and even understand the market enough to get published. College as a means of obtaining a career doesn't interest me, and I love learning on my own.

Let's say I plan on majoring somewhere along the lines of English Lit.

Is college insightful enough to bother? Will it change who I am or how I think? Will it bring anything to my writing? Does it depend on where I go? I will have to spend the first two years worth at a community college.

I think if you approach writing as a career from the very start you are setting yourself up for disappointment. I think its better to find another way to pay the bills and then when literary success starts coming you can transition more to being a professional writer. A lot of published authors still have to work other jobs to make ends meet. Many teach creative writing I find.

One of the best reasons to go to college is to meet other people with similar interests. Its nice to read a book that 20-50 other people are reading, all of whom you can share ideas and conversation with. And the rate of unemployment for college graduates is far below the overall average. If you end up starting a family or wanting to travel that consideration will become very significant.

[BookBeauty]

You certainly don't need a College education for something like Journalism, for instance. Just write, and experience. But, journalism's rather cutthroat, and as a freelancer, you've gotta be a great self-starter. You need to know where to go to get the stories, and you've gotta get there first.

I'd think a cushy editor job would be more appealing, but you have to work your way up.

[YouBetcha]

I don't plan on making much money from publishing, but I have my eye on a corporate writing gig anyways. No college degree required.

It is ambitious, but I think it's very possible. It's nowhere near the difficulty of making it as a famous actor. The reputation of difficulty, from what I understand, comes from how many people want to be published, or want to be an actor, The more people there are eager to be successful, the more bad writers publishers will have to sift through. I'm not saying that I'm at that skill level right now, but my success won't be luck or how good looking I am.

[Cunninglinguist]

I'm 27 and don't have a college education.

I plan to feed, shelter, and maybe even clothe myself as a writer. Assume I'm good at writing, disciplined, and even understand the market enough to get published. College as a means of obtaining a career doesn't interest me, and I love learning on my own.

Let's say I plan on majoring somewhere along the lines of English Lit.

Is college insightful enough to bother? Will it change who I am or how I think? Will it bring anything to my writing? Does it depend on where I go? I will have to spend the first two years worth at a community college.

Community college? at the age of 27? I give an emphatic "Not worth it." The chances of you meeting anyone spectacular, professor or student, at a community college are nil.

I think the people here who are recommending college are failing to realize that you’re not exactly talking about a regular private college, or even a state college, but (for the first 2 years) a community college. Community college is basically equivalent to high school, where the math courses don’t go beyond your basic calculus. There’s no fantastic library, and most of the people don’t stick around after class. No one lives on campus. The students and staff Neely mentions don’t exist. You won’t get any great education from a community college, and it itself won’t serve as a platform for any great education. You may spend two years at a community college – but that may change you for the worse.


College will only educate you in an academic manner. Life experience (IMO) will give you a better foundation as a writer. If you are disciplined enough, you can get anything from a book (on your own) that you can get in college. Consider various forms of employment (not for the pay but) for the experience of learning things that you can apply in your writing. For example, you can take an EMT course and volunteer in hospitals to gain knowledge and experience in medical terminology and methods, if you want to write about a character who would be experiencing the same kinds of things. Working with animals, or in a homeless shelter might educate you on aspects of real life that you can't get elsewhere. Learn whatever you can wherever. Working for a construction company, draftsman, or various trades would give you incite on how things are built if you want to be able to describe a structure. One of my favorite contemporary authors is Clive Cussler, whose stories center around teams of oceanographers. They usually have to salvage a shipwreck in order to solve their dilemma. Clive actually does ship salvage in real life. He writes about things that he knows about. Broaden your horizons as much as possible, and some schooling may help you do that, but don't invest too much when there's other means to learn as well.
From the time I’ve spent at college, I’ve gotten almost the opposite impression. As you point out, the academics can be gotten from a library and relatively inexpensive books (especially if you’re not studying science), moreover, the content is more organized and in a form that’s easier to assimilate than in any ordinary lecture. There is perhaps one thing that college offers academically which you don’t get from a library, and that is homework; but I find most of the value of college in the people you meet and what you learn outside of the classroom, from your peers, your extracurriculars, and your private endeavors incited by the collegiate environment. But this collegiate experience, I must acknowledge, is limited. I have found that certain colleges—especially uppity neo-aristocratic hyper-liberal ones—percolate the outside real world, sometimes to an illusory extent, from which students might conclude generic misconceptions, political absurdities, and idealistic nonsense (I’ve run into this more than a few times). So, if you want to become a writer, I would hazard to guess that you could get, for instance, a more material sense of social justice from scraping barnacles off the bottom of boats or pumping gas than you could from a sociology or philosophy course. But that’s just my guess.


If this is something I should pursue, do you have any recommendations on learning it outside of a classroom?

There are plenty of resources online, including lectures, books in the public domain and forums such as LitNet (okay, maybe there aren't that many LitNets out there). I have also found a lot of guidance in the references section in many books and essays -- I feel that this resource is much overlooked. In effect, the works cited section of a scholarly publication is basically a scholar's reading list. You can't get much better than that.

Also pointed out, you need the discipline to write your own papers and to assign your own "homework," in one way or another. There is, simply put, no substitute for writing and being able to present complex bodies of ideas -- a skill which takes much time and effort to refine.

edit: I also recommend subscribing to a few journals which pique your interest. They'll keep you up-to-date better than virtually anything else.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Community college? at the age of 27? I give an emphatic "Not worth it." The chances of you meeting anyone spectacular, professor or student, at a community college are nil...The students and staff Neely mentions don’t exist. You won’t get any great education from a community college, and it itself won’t serve as a platform for any great education.

Yes I'm talking about a university education. I thought that was what the poster was talking about.


I don't plan on making much money from publishing, but I have my eye on a corporate writing gig anyways. No college degree required.

It is ambitious, but I think it's very possible. It's nowhere near the difficulty of making it as a famous actor. The reputation of difficulty, from what I understand, comes from how many people want to be published, or want to be an actor, The more people there are eager to be successful, the more bad writers publishers will have to sift through. I'm not saying that I'm at that skill level right now, but my success won't be luck or how good looking I am.

Well I think making it in acting is more than just being good looking or lucky, but that's neither here nor there. I'm not sure what you mean by corporate publishing. I assumed you was talking about publishing a novel, you never specified - I knew that you couldn't possibly mean poetry because that is impossible. Less so with a novel where you are probably talking about odds of one in a few million, difficult to say.