As I pondered what to write about for my first column on higher education, I saw the words “College Bound” written in soap on the window of a car parked in town. You know the kind of car graffiti. It usually reads “State Bound,” for those talented young athletes heading off to take a stab at State championship titles. I found this academic graffiti very supportive of the recent high school graduate and very refreshing. I stopped to take a photo of it. I thought if it caught my eye then surely it would catch others’ eyes as well. I hoped that it would inspire others to consider college.

For some of you, I’m sure “College Bound” brings similar images to your mind as it does to mine. The excitement of going off to college consumed me as a high school graduate. That summer I attended the freshman orientation at a large public university in Columbus. I loved walking across the campus amongst the tall academic buildings. The main library with the bronze statue out front was an impressive sight. I felt so grown-up sitting in the large lecture hall where I would take Biology 113. I spent the night and got a taste of what dorm life would be like for the next nine months. I ate in the commons food court and loved the all-you-can-eat soft serve ice cream. I realized that this may be the culprit behind the freshman 15 expression.

For others of you, maybe the idea of going to college wasn’t for you. Maybe you thought it would be too long of a commitment, too structured, or too expensive. College has transformed a lot in the 20-something years since I attended. College today means higher education and training in many forms that accommodate many types of individuals of all ages. You can still obtain your degree at a traditional public or private university if you like. But students or adults that want a closer to home experience can attend a community college, career center, vocational school, technical college, or online university. High school students can also get a jump on earning college credits at no cost to them through the post-secondary enrollment options program or dual credit program.

If the thought of college still does not set well with you, there are other options to continue your education and improve your skills and enhance your marketability. A friend of mine is a building contractor. He told me that college was not for him. Little did he realize that the lead paint certification class that he had to take to enable him to work on certain homes was in fact enhancing his skills and making him marketable to a larger customer base. Another example of continuing education is that local farmers need to complete their pesticide certification classes in order to purchase certain chemicals for their farms.

College doesn’t have to be a four-year commitment and have boundaries. It can be as varied as completing a 200 hour certification program in pharmacy technician or a 600 hour certification program in welding at local career centers. It can be taking computer classes, beginning Spanish, or a photography class. College is life-long learning in whatever setting you want it to be. It’s an opportunity for you to learn something new and improve life for you and your family. It’s an opportunity for the youthfulness to come out in you as you write those two words, “College Bound,” in soap on your car window. Then maybe your car will be the next one to catch my eye.

To read more Education Matters, visit Darla at www.HolmesBargain Hunter.com.