Finding Meaning in College and Beyond

College is a significant milestone for many young people, but it can also be a source of stress and uncertainty. The decisions can be overwhelming, from choosing a major to deciding whether to take a gap year or pursue alternative paths. Students and their families must consider each option’s benefits and drawbacks and make informed decisions. While college is still important for many fields, students should recognize that it won’t necessarily be a utopia and that there are alternative paths to consider. Ultimately, students should consider a path that aligns with their interests and goals rather than just what is practical.

For the pilot episode, it’s my pleasure to have William Deresiewicz, New York Times bestselling author and former English professor at Yale and Columbia. He has won numerous awards for his work, published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Harper’s, and other prestigious publications. William shares his insights on college education, its impact on society, and his views on the importance of solitude in today’s world.

Key takeaways:

• Students should not expect college to be a utopia or nirvana

• What it means to learn how to learn
• College is a time for personal and intellectual exploration, not just practical training for a career
• The advantages of resuming college from a gap year
• Choose a major based on personal interest and not just practical considerations
• Parents and students should reflect on why they are going to college before making the decision
• Online learning is not a substitute for traditional in-person learning
• Trade schools should be considered as an alternative to college for some students
• Students should be encouraged to step off the conveyor belt and take a break from academic achievement

Tune in to this episode of Smarter Richer Braver!

Remember that much of what is talked about on this podcast is stuff that’s not typically talked about to young people – and it should be. It’s stuff that you need to know so that you a can lead a life that’s smarter, richer, and braver.

If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to broach in our upcoming episodes, pls email us at smarterricherbraver@gmail.com. And if you’d like to sign up for one of our award-winning programs, go to kfi.global and check out our upcoming schedule.