In the recent event of a nongraduation and a collapsing economy, Aaliah Tailor delves into the questionable possibilities of what the purpose and development of a degree can attain for you.

Society raised you. You are obliged to believe that university is a space that is paved for your future – your career. You are informed that you are guaranteed more of a job than if you were to never go. Therefore, deciding what to explore has to be selected sensibly; possibly even concluding that university is not for you. I want you to recognise that, too, is an option. Profit or passion those are your two additional alternatives, and if you are fortunate, they will align.

You acknowledge you cannot pay the mortgage or electricity bill with emotion, happiness or love – it demands money. Thus, logically, you decide on a course that will grant you a strong paying job when you graduate.

You become financially secure.

You are not happy, but you are surviving. You are providing.

You may read that sentence and not interpret an issue, but surviving signifies that you are striving to maintain existence – rather than learning to live. You established this attribute by observing your underprivileged parent(s). You noted how they battled to place food on the table, pay utility bills and/or rent. You knew money could amend that.

I could tell you that money does not buy happiness, but I will affirm it does buy convenience. Nevertheless, studying a subject that you are not engrossed by, for the sole objective of income, is precarious. If you are disheartened throughout the period of your degree, can you, truthfully, say that you are benefiting from this experience? Furthermore, you could possibly deliver that energy into your profession. I understand that it is a risk to undertake your ambition and discover your life, but I think meaningful lives are for the extraordinary. Are you not extraordinary?

On the contrary, let us say, what fascinates you does not entwine with a salary. Perhaps, you enjoy literature and you do not believe an income can be generated from it.

Nonetheless, you have a yearning for writing. University is an institution for you to broaden your elementary knowledge, therefore by following the singular definition of the word, you ought to pursue literature.

University is an establishment for humanity to expand their knowledge on any topic they desire. There is no additional cause; no pursuit of a future or employment, simply attending to gain intelligence. However, the institute calls for money. The cost of one year is slightly over £9,000, and at the end of your three years, you have purchased somewhat under £30,000 worth of gratification.

You become intellectually fulfilled.

You are happy, but you are not providing. You are struggling.

You might have relished the experience and absorbed the information learnt, but you have absolutely no notion of what to do with your newfound accomplishment. Was it really necessary to study the subject you were keen on?

You devoted money to a degree that attained joy – yet could not gain monetary success.

However, what is the difference between the money that is spent on a course that you enjoy, or someone buying a sports car for pleasure? The answer is nothing. They are equally the same; both parties have spent excessively on something that made them happy. You are taught repeatedly that you should differentiate between job prospects and hobbies. As an adult, you should sanction yourself to the expectation. You will have the weekend for your pastimes. Therefore, you can continue to operate at work while indulging in your interests. People will inform you this is balance. It is evasion. It is disguised contentment. Thus, if you genuinely do love writing, delve into it with no doubts: become a journalist, a novelist, or newspaper columnist, but do something with your passion because you deserve to feel fulfilled.

On an additional note, I think it requires a certain degree of privilege to choose; deciding what you want to explore is a selfish aspiration that you might not have the luxury for. Occasionally, the parent(s) choose for you. They believe they know what the most successful thing for you is: the qualification that will be of service to you and enrich you they presume they know what is better. As their child, you do not intend to disrespect them. Therefore, you merely obey. You feel obliged to comply because they have provided you with a great deal, thus, you do what delivers them joy.

On the other hand, perhaps, you are the individual that is going to change your family: their status, their location, or their welfare. Hence, you cannot decide on just anything. The subject chosen has to transform immediately into a highranking salary and be beneficial to the family. The degree you choose has to be rewarding for everyone. There are concerns of further significance than your own wishes. For the majority of your life, you were impotent – unable to improve your environment for the better. Thus, there is an urge to be the change – to elevate the family.

Truthfully, the qualification may not be something you are pleased to learn. However, it may not be about the short-term satisfaction gained from pondering a subject of your desire but on the contrary, feeling the longterm contentment acquired from the development and shift within your family. However, you should not need to feel terrible for wanting a profession that nurtures your soul. I do not want to discredit your societal norms or family values, but you are not liable for what other people expect from you.

We are constantly guided by individuals who have experienced life before us, yet, there is no right option; none of the possibilities presented are greater than the other. Yet, it is nonetheless, extremely vital that you are able to choose what you want to do in your life. A job can present a monumental status and salary, but if it is meaningless, it will hinder you. You are responsible for your own life, so grant yourself the respect to be in ownership of it.

Everybody, including you, is allowed to determine their own adventure.

You can read more of Aaliah’s thoughts on her website: aaliahtailor.com/blog

Photos via Pexels Illustrations by Joe Bailey