It may seem simple, but when you finish college, you know more than when you started. And because college graduates are much more likely to engage in activities that add to their knowledge base after graduation, you’re likely to keep knowing more. That’s not a small thing. You have a knowledge base that you’ll continue to build on over a lifetime.

After college, you know more about biology, physical science, or chemistry and how the world works. You understand something about how to express complex ideas clearly. You’re likely to have experience in another language and exposure to other cultures that expands your appreciation for other countries and your own. You’ve likely been challenged by analyzing the social challenges of the day, and with some exposure to history or government, you have a background for understanding current events in context. You’ve refined your ability to communicate and to write effectively.

In college, you’ve had the opportunity to delve into a field of particular interest, and you have some measure of expertise to then contribute to your community and to share with others who chose other fields. When your son or daughter asks a challenging question, you just might know the answer. And if you don’t, you know where to go to help them find it.

If you didn’t finish college, there are certainly other ways to keep learning and growing and to pass knowledge on to your family. One of the advantages of attending college and encouraging your children to do so is that it offers a unique opportunity to be immersed in learning during a stage of life when one is growing and making foundational decisions for life. There are connections and insights that come when one is able to study several subjects at the same time in a more focused atmosphere.

So keep learning. Encourage young women you know to plan to go to college. Not only will they expand their knowledge and build a great foundation for lifelong learning, they’ll find immense personal satisfaction, confidence and enjoyment in the things they learn.

Image courtesy of the University of Utah.