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Do a quick Google search and you’ll find “independence” consistently cited as the most vital trait of successful adults and employees, and it’s no coincidence. The journey from teen to adult is all about developing independence, which translates seamlessly into the workplace.
While there are many ways to foster independence in a child, college stands out as the ideal environment. Here, young adults are thrust into situations that require independence, preparing them for their future careers and adult life in general.
Transition to secondary school
In highschool, students receive a lot of support from each parents and teachers. Both remind them of upcoming assignments, make sure they do their homework and follow their schedules. Teachers develop close bonds with these students and provide them with a structured and personal learning experience. This constant supervision creates a safety net that many students rely on without even realizing it.
But college is a different story. It’s much more impersonal. Freshmen can find themselves in a lecture hall with tons of of other students, with professors who won’t know their names unless they actively attempt to stand out. There are no frequent reminders about deadlines, and professors are likely to have strict rules about late work and give zeros without a second thought.
For the first time, the responsibility for sticking to the schedule and meeting academic requirements falls solely on the shoulders of scholars, which could be a harrowing experience for them but helps them develop a latest level of self-advocacy and independence.
Social and emotional development: independent living
For most students, college is their first significant experience living away from home. This newfound independence is each exciting and difficult, marking a critical stage in their personal development. Managing funds for the first time, maybe even juggling part-time jobs to afford school, teaches beneficial lessons in financial literacy, prioritization, and the consequences of overspending.
College life is also wealthy in social opportunities, but it requires students to navigate complicated social dynamics. Even for those still living at home, college pushes them out of their comfort zone, away from the familiar faces they grew up with, and forces them to make latest friends, join social groups, and participate in extracurricular activities. These interactions not only help them grow to be more independent, but are crucial for developing social skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Even learning methods to live and interact with roommates, which frequently comes with its own challenges, as I’m sure we’ve all heard or experienced horror stories, is a great experience to learn methods to stand your ground and compromise.
Decision-making and responsibility
While the average adult earns 33,000 to 35,000 decisions every day—from what to eat or wear to what to say and how—the average college student probably earns much more. College life is a constant exercise in decision-making, each big and small. Without parents to guide them through every selection, students must learn to make those decisions on their very own. From selecting courses and extra-curricular activities to deciding whether to go to a frat party the night before an exam or skip a lecture at 8 a.m., college students face countless selections every day. As parents, we naturally wish to protect our kids from making bad decisions, but experiencing the consequences of bad selections is crucial to developing independence and higher decision-making skills—you never know how low you may fall until you fall yourself!
The many challenges of faculty life, similar to dealing with homesickness, stress, and occasional setbacks, build emotional resilience. Learning to deal with these issues independently, while looking for support from friends, parents, and even advisors when needed, is an essential part of private growth. This also translates well to the skilled sphere; it’s about having the confidence to work independently, with the self-awareness and humility to ask for help when you’re overwhelmed.
After college and in the skilled world
The independence and critical considering skills developed in college prepare students for the skilled world. During their 4 years in college, where they are forced to grow to be independent, through trial and error, they hone their time management, problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, and interpersonal skills. They grow to be independent thinkers, discover their true selves, and higher understand methods to navigate the remainder of their adult lives. These students learn to approach on a regular basis problems methodically and adapt to latest and unexpected challenges, all of which carry them well into any profession field.
While a college degree does not guarantee your child skilled success or a job in their chosen field, it does provide them with significant personal development and independence that can undoubtedly shape their future.
Application
So, while fewer students imagine in the value of a college degree as of late, perhaps we should always focus on the college experience itself. The independence gained in college is a cornerstone of private growth, laying the foundation for a successful and independent future. There is no other environment where students are given this level of freedom with so much room for trial and error. College is a place to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them—a luxury that is not as available in the skilled world, but that makes the transition into it much easier.