Do I need a university in order to study? Is there really any point?

Question

I have access to any litterature, and badgering professors with questions is no problem.

My goals have nothing to do with getting Phds and such, but rather with making discoveries in my specific area of interest. I have taken undergraduate courses, but found myself spending large sums of money just to be able to get 'qualifications' and actually wasting time reading books that are irrelevant to my goals, but are part of the university program most relevant to my subject area. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Well there's two parts to why I think getting a degree is essential.

The first is that unfortunately unless you are extremely good (think top 10% in the field) at what you do, you will need a degree in order to get hired. And most in that top 10% are not self-taught.

But the second part which gets more to the heart of it is what you get from a university experience. I feel that the interaction with superiors that are knowledgeable in your field nets you an upper hand in learning more about your area of study. Even distance education online suffers many times from this lack of personalized attention (and note that even in a university setting it takes a good professor). But I think it's that interaction and sort of "hands on" approach that you don't get from teaching yourself or choosing online learning.

Answer 2

I have a great deal of sympathy with your views. I went to university several decades ago, when even at the undergraduate level university was designed to give you opportunities for independent study, which you could support if you wished by attending lectures etc. You could swat up the exams in a few weeks at the end.

These days universities have fixed timetables and syllabuses that stifle such creative thought. They seem simply to cram you with more facts to follow thise you learned at school. And because university courses are run to meet adminstrators' targets to expand numbers, their qualifications have limited relevance to either career or personal development needs. For instance, there are psychology jobs for less than a tenth of the students who take an apparently applied subject.

Unfortunately, the world of work has gone qualifications mad. Jobs that you could apply for a generation ago immediately after leaving school now need both university degrees and postgraduate qualifications. I am afraid that if you want to succeed in the work rat race you will have to go to university. That is not to say that your investment in going to university will get you a decent job.

I am sorry, this is a rather dismal response. But it is as things are.

P.S. It matters very much to go to a GOOD university. Not only do employers recruit from them, you will get more out of the degree. And not least you will have livelier student colleagues.

Answer 3

Yes, reading things you believe not to be relevant makes you a well-rounded person. Think about it! Continue to get that education with an opened mind and it will pay off. You will make those discoveries and maybe even find that one of those irrelevant books did help you find what you needed.
I am telling you the truth. It took me a lot of hard work going to classes full-time and working full-time and raising a family to get me through school. Believe me it was worth it! And I did turn out much better for it all. You will too, I promise, if you maintain a receptive approach.

Answer 4

well cant you go to a state tech school instead and get grants and other government aid...so they pay you to go to school? Then after you get so far in your program of study, they (the government) may not want to continue paying but you will have most of your university qualifications done in tech school (where "they" pay) and you only have to pay for a small percentage of your overall courses, which at this point you should have access to loans to help you, unless you go ahead and get a good job now with your tech school education to help with your education. this way you can get a masters or phd and make hoards of money due to your credentials, and get easier book deals and such and publicitiy.

Answer 5

Do you want a degree in your field? If so - you have to take the courses. Very simple. Are you afraid people won't give you your just respect without one? Nonsense. Example, if you walk into an engineering office, and are able to carry on a knowledgable conversation, and have something to offer the company in order for them to make money, I think they would hire you on the spot. In fact, If you were so knowledgable in engineering, you could just take the 'Professional Engineer' exam - you do not need an engineering degree to be a professional engineer, as long as you are smart enough to pass the test.

Answer 6

Unless you have a sure fire way to change the way the game is played; YES, you need accreditation of university study.
If you watch TV, yes television, there was a commercial with Abe Lincoln in an employment agency looking for a job.
The agent asked Lincoln his qualifications. Lincoln told him that he did a lot of studying on his own
The agent told him; look; I know you're smart, you know you're smart BUT you aint getting NOWHERE without that sheepskin fella.
Go to the university. Get your degree(s) and excel.

Answer 7

In fact every wisdom is there in every individual. Those who find it will have an everlasting flow of wisdom from himself. This is the point at which we get enlightened.

Universities can teach us the learning of many others. Who are just like any one of us. But the chance of reaching the enlightened stage is rare, so we all depend schools and universities to keep up to the level of others. Moreover, in case of many of us, it may take a very long time to develop ourselves. The whole life itself will be too short many times.

Answer 8

If you have access to all the writings you need, have people around you to discuss your interests and do not need a certificate to hang on your wall, then carry on, do your research with an unfettered mind happy in the knowledge that a huge debt is not building up.

If Vincent van Gogh had gone to art school would we still have his works now?

Answer 9

The titles and degrees that one receives from universities are there to prove that you are educated and you have gone through the disciplines and practices. Once you receive a degree it speaks for you...you have proved yourself. Without it you must prove yourself with your work, whatever that may be, otherwise people will not listen to you. It's possible though. Think of all of the great people before us that did their best work independently. Good Luck in your work!

Answer 10

Depends how much fun you want to have really. Going to university is a life experience and it's one of the most fun times I have had in my life so far and the debt was worth it too because I also made some great life-long friends.