There are many decisions that we have to make in the course of our lives, but very few have such far-reaching consequences as the one involving our education. It influences our career, our personality, our outlook on life. It opens up opportunities, and enhances our skills. Here are some of the things that college can do:

1. Getting a college degree is one of the best steps we can take towards our professional advancement. Studies do you show that college graduates tend to get better jobs, and there are certain positions and companies that will only hire those who have a degree. Furthermore, college can free you to pursue even the most difficult fields, so that you can do what you really want—whether you’re an inventor or innovator, artist or architect, doctor or theater director.

2. The tuition we pay is just a very small investment compared to the financial rewards that we can reap from it. There are very clear studies on the salary differences between a college graduate and a high school graduate. For example, if a high school graduate gets 34,303 annually, a college graduate will net 56,334. Someone with a professional qualification, on the other hand, will get 99,411. The differences become even greater further along one’s career.

3. However, the “payback” isn’t just financial. College degrees can really impact on your entire personality, developing skills that aren’t necessarily in your transcript of records. For example, it can really sharpen your communication skills, develop your appreciation of culture and the arts, and improve your ability to approach tasks in an organized and methodical way. What you learn in college can also make you more curious about learning even more, as teachers introduce you to subjects that you normally wouldn’t have explored.

4. Many people feel that college was instrumental in developing their self confidence and understanding of themselves and other people. Perhaps it is all the opportunities to share one’s skills, or try out different things. Perhaps it is the environment in colleges where everyone is encouraged to share their ideas. Whatever it is about college, those who go through it have the advantage of being able to discover new aspects of their personality while meeting other people from different backgrounds.