Today, we have access to more information than ever before. YouTube and TikTok can provide us with in-depth learning opportunities for free. Large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini have shown they can answer almost any question that comes to mind with an increasing level of accuracy.

With so much data at our fingertips, more and more people are beginning to wonder: Why invest time and money in a college degree when I can gather information and build skills online?

The problem with this question is that it frames college purely as an information gatekeeper. For many, higher education offers much more — a transformative journey where students can network and develop transferable soft skills like critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence and creativity.

For those who believe a college education can offer upsides, here’s how to maximize the benefits of higher education while navigating the evolving technological landscape.

1. LEARN THE LATEST INNOVATIONS THROUGH COURSES.

Technology evolves daily, and it shows no signs of slowing down. To keep up with the pace of change, think about supplementing the soft skills you’re already developing in school with the hard skills relevant to your industry.

Understanding how the technological landscape is impacting your field can be a part of your college education — and an increasing number of institutions are providing their students with opportunities to make it so.

2. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK.

Building a robust professional network is essential for career development. Many colleges provide their students with unique chances to do this — opportunities that are difficult to recreate through social media and online learning platforms.

While in school, actively participate in these opportunities, as well as workshops, seminars and student gatherings. Take advantage of the access you have to people who can open doors for you and make your transition into the workforce less stressful.

3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TEAMWORK AND PROBLEM-SOLVING OPPORTUNITIES.

Engaging in project-based learning and competitions can significantly enhance your ability to solve real-world problems, which often require you to work with different personalities and people across disciplines.

In college, you’ll likely have a chance to work with your peers in this way — to solve problems under a certain time constraint. While advances in technology are transforming various industries, your ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with others will remain invaluable. For job interviews, work presentations, and team projects, you’ll need the soft skills that college provides: the ability to communicate persuasively, share your perspective and ideas, and understand your peers’ experiences.

4. SUPPLEMENT YOUR EDUCATION WITH OTHER RESOURCES.

To further complement your academic training, it can be useful to seek out internships and community projects that provide you with hands-on, real-world experience. This work will allow you to practice the latest skills and technologies in your industry. The network you build while in school may be able to connect you with these kinds of opportunities.

Outside of pursuing internships and volunteer work, you can gain a competitive advantage in the workforce by further supplementing your college education with online courses, workshops and additional certifications in your area of interest. Depending on your interests, you may be able to find free or student-discounted workshops in your local area.

There are many reasons why college students decide not to continue their education. But what about you? Consider these questions to help inform your decision:

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CAREER ASPIRATIONS, A DEGREE OR EXPERIENCE?

To answer this question, you first must clarify what your long-term career aspirations are. Ask yourself:

1. What field or industry do I see myself working in five to 10 years from now?

2. What type of company or job would I like in the future?

3. What is required for an entry-level position in that industry or company? What about for a senior-level position?

Knowing what you want out of your future career will help you understand what you need to achieve those aspirations — a degree or experience. Sometimes doing things in the real world can help you learn faster and learn more than you might in the classroom. But many industries and roles still require college degrees to get your foot in the door.

For example, if you want to be a lawyer or a doctor, a college degree is a must. But what if you want to start your own business or become an artist? A degree might not be necessary to get started.

Do some research on your field of choice by checking out job listings on websites like Indeed.com or tapping into your college’s alumni network. This will help you gather information about what current and future jobs may or may not require degrees.

WILL ALTERNATIVE TRAINING HELP YOU REACH CAREER GOALS FASTER?

With options like online courses, vocational training and apprenticeships gaining ground, there’s a world beyond traditional college that’s worth exploring. Google’s career certificates are a great example of this. These courses often focus directly on the skills you need for certain jobs, and they can help get you into the workforce faster.

Consider the aspirations you defined above. Are there alternatives to getting a formal degree that might align better with your career goals and offer a more direct, perhaps even more efficient, route to your desired job?

Keep in mind that online training and certifications require discipline and a specific approach to learning that isn’t right for everyone. Some people need the structure of college to stay motivated. Others may thrive in a learning environment that allows them to go at their own pace. Before making this jump, consider your own learning style. Will you be able to stay motivated and excited to learn on your own?

IS STAYING IN COLLEGE FINANCIALLY SMART FOR YOU?

For many, deciding whether to drop out of college is also a financial decision. It’s no secret that college costs a lot, not just in tuition but also in living expenses. On the other hand, research shows that those with college degrees generally earn more money over time than their counterparts.

Calculating the return on investment (ROI) of your education is one way to determine the financial benefits and trade-offs of your specific situation.

Ask yourself:

1. Will the money you might earn after graduating make the costs of attending worth it?

2. Do you see a smarter financial path outside of college, especially if what you want to do doesn’t require a degree?

Over the next six months, you and your classmates are going to make one of your first major life decisions: where to start your freshman year at college. But where isn’t the only important question — you should also consider when.

Rushing off to the next step in life can worsen burnout in the short term and could mean the difference between pursuing an authentic life and living out someone else’s dream for you. It’s worth exploring the benefits of taking a gap year instead.

THE BENEFITS OF A GAP YEAR

On almost every metric, pursuing a college degree remains a sound decision. That’s not in question. The timing of that education, however, is. For many, taking a gap year — typically defined as an academic year-long break between secondary school and university — can reduce stress and burnout, improve academic performance, and be instrumental in finding purpose.

HOW TO TAKE A GAP YEAR

You’ll need to start with two stages: finding inspiration and permission, researching the logistics, and developing a blueprint for action.

While most people are familiar with the concept of a gap year, the process of taking one itself is not as well known. So, your challenge in looking for inspiration and permission is to find someone who has actually taken a gap year and learn from them. You can start by posting about it or asking friends and family if they know of anyone you could talk to. This will enable you to learn firsthand the lessons, best practices, and possibilities for a year off the routine path.

As you talk to others about their gap year experiences, you should also start exploring what’s available for you logistically. You’ll want to know what your school’s leave of absence and deferral options are. You may be worried that deferring your admission will hurt your standing before you even set foot on campus, but quite the opposite is true. Even those schools that don’t offer an explicit gap year program may defer admission or offer a leave of absence after meeting certain criteria.

If you decide that a gap year is right for you and it’s doable logistically, there are three main elements to consider in your blueprint: your budget, your desired level of independence, and whether or not to travel or stay at home.

In college, we begin the process of choosing our field of work. We meet lifelong friends, even spouses. There are so many reasons why post-secondary education is important. But college has increasingly become an epicenter for burnout, prompting inauthentic career choices and an accumulation of debt that stays with people for decades. Gap year alumni and research on extended leave suggest that one of the best strategies for stepping forward from high school to college may be to step out of this routine altogether for a bit. By taking a gap year, you can focus on first knowing yourself before going on to make some of the most important decisions of your life.