Reasons for Going to College

Read the following list and write down any of your reasons for attending college. Feel free to add your own personal reasons to the list.

To have financial security
To find a satisfying career
To explore possibilities provided by college
To expand my options
To become an educated person
To figure out what I want to do with my life
To develop my potential
To become a role model for my children
To make my parents/family happy
To respect myself
To feel good about myself

To see if I can do it
To meet interesting people
To have something to do and prevent boredom
To become the best I can be
To have better job opportunities
To prepare for a good job or profession
To have job security
To gain confidence in myself
To get a degree
To gain a greater understanding of the world
To have fun

To understand myself
To enjoy what I do for a living
To reach my potential
My parents/family want me to get a degree
For my own personal satisfaction
To make a difference in other people’s lives
To have a position of power
To have respect
To have prestige
To have time and money for travel
To acquire knowledge

Finding Meaning

What are your top six reasons for attending college?
How many of these reasons are intrinsic?
How many of these reasons are extrinsic?
Do you have more intrinsic or extrinsic? Why is that?