Answer: Well, that depends. On what? A bunch of stuff actually.
1. What Kind of Writer Are You?
If you're a journalist, going to college does a lot of good for you. For one thing, you can take classes to learn the craft, and believe me, journalism is a different type of writing from creative and academic. Sure, the basic "state your thesis and defend it" is true, but in journalism, you purposely write an article so all the best information is at the top, and the nitty-gritty is below that so that people who aren't interested in details don't have to read them if they don't want to.
The other good thing about going to school for journalism is the internship programs. Assuming you live in a metro area, you're going to find journalism internships all over the place like at magazines, news stations, or even on blogs. The internships will help you build a rapport with people already in the business, give you valuable experience, and build your portfolio which will all be a big help when going to get a job.
What about other kinds of writers?
2. What Is the English Department at Your College Like?
Some English departments support their students very well. I once met a grad of Wayne State who took nothing but creative writing courses because all he wanted to do was write creatively. Now, he probably didn't take 100% creative writing courses, but the fact that WSU's English Department was actually willing to pull the strings necessary to do that for him is pretty big. The department at Wayne did a solid for me as well when they took a course I had taken at MCC that didn't quite transfer over and made it count for some other requirement I was missing so I could graduate on time and be in English Honors.
My point is, does the English Department at your school support your goals and dreams? Will they pull strings so you can work toward your dreams or even within your comfort level, or will they tell you to deal with it? Now, not all adversity is bad or should be avoided, but a caring and supportive English Department who is willing to work with you is a big advantage. I was always under the impression that the rules were the rules, but when I found out that some people were constantly seeing the counselor, I was shocked. Now I know why. So, the English Department is another angle of consideration.
And what if your college has a great English Department?
3. Is A Degree Necessary for Your Specific Area of Writing?
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| My actual degree. Surprisingly, I got two of them for some reason. |
There are areas of writing that don't require a degree at all, such as blog/content writing, creative writing, and even some technical writing positions. Now, having a degree will show people that you're serious about this writing stuff and that you're "classically trained," but is spending tens of thousands of dollars, which you most likely don't have, on a degree you don't need such a good idea? The answer's no, especially if you aren't making or aren't capable of making money to pay off your debts.
In the arenas of creative, content, and technical writing, experience is king. A degree can help cover your butt if you lack experience, but experience is always better. And in creative writing, networking and establishing a fan base are very important. Sure, you can go to school to learn how to do these things, but the Internet will teach you the basics for free and any time spent not writing or connecting with others is time wasted.
But what if you're still not sure?
4. What Is Your Backup Plan?
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| Dog training is one of my options. |
The world is full of writers and it can be hard to stick out, or even find an online job that you can do regularly and get paid while working on your dreams and goals. So, how are you going to support yourself in the meantime? Many young people who go to college do so because they think once they have a degree, all the doors will open, champagne will fall from the heavens, and life will be made. Not so.
Despite the fact that we make fun of colleges for being "safe spaces" where the namby-pamby snowflakes can cry over Trump winning the election and talk about their feelings, colleges were actually safe spaces long before that. Colleges do not offer real world experience. A week out in the real world is worth a month in college. As a result, you have to be prepared for the harsh realities of the world, otherwise you'll become disillusioned under a mountain of debt, look for an easy way out, and end up voting for a communist like Bernie Sanders. Spoiler Alert: You can't count on that.
So, while you're building yourself up for eventual success, you need to be doing something now so you don't leech off the system or your parents. It doesn't have to be a fancy or well-paying job, just something you can stomach doing for a while. Even if that while is only a few months, it's fine if you want to try something else later. You're young and have few responsibilities, and it's better to experience everything now rather than when you're 40+ with children, a spouse, and a mortgage and you suddenly take an interest in a job that only pays $20/hr just because it looks fun.
Ironically enough, if you're going to school, you'll likely have time on your side. As your student loans or parents pay your way through college, and you'll only be taking 12 to 15 credits per semester, you'll have plenty of time for work: writing, editing, proofreading, networking, and marketing. Seriously, time is a gift--don't waste it.
Alright, so what if you think you may not end up going to college?
5. Are You Disciplined?
One of the arguments for attending college even though all you want to do is write is that going to college will expose you to different writers, styles, and genres. You'll also make friends with people who have similar dreams and even meet a few teachers who aren't just sitting around waiting for tenure. Both sources will be a gold mine for networking.
However, if you're disciplined, you can learn anything and everything you want yourself. The Internet is an amazing source of information on just about everything, libraries are free, and most writer's groups don't have admission fees. And if you have some source of income, you can buy books, attend seminars, and do programs or modules online for a fraction of what college would cost you. And since those programs don't take credit, you'll be forced to save up for them rather drowning yourself with principle and interest.
What Is the Ultimate Answer?
Supposing you're a tl;dr person and you just want the answer straight up, or if you still can't make up your own mind, the straight answer is this: if you're a journalist or plan on teaching, go to school. If however you're a different kind of writer, especially a creative writer, no, don't go to college. Most of what you need to know isn't being taught anywhere in the college system.
The university system is designed for the majority of people--people who want 2.3 kids, a spouse, a house in the suburbs, and who work 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, for the next 30 to 50 years. If you're a creative writer, you're either an artist or an entrepreneur. You're writing because you're passionate about it, and what many people forget about passion is that if you're passionate about something, it means you're willing to suffer for it. We use it to mean that you really love it, but it actually means you love something so much that you're willing to put yourself through hell for it. Just like Jesus did. In fact, we get the word "passion" from the suffering he went through when he was crucified.
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| It will sometimes feel like critics are actually trying to crucify you. There may even be a few Judas's along the way. |
Ergo, you are in a unique minority that charts itself through inhospitable waters everyday. And for that, you need to know things that most people never learn and don't even want to learn. Your journey will be long and hard, but there are plenty of people who have blazed this trail before and they're willing to help you. You just need to be pointed in the right direction.
For more information on this whole writing thing, I highly recommend the book I'm An English Major--Now What? by Timothy Lemire. It should be required reading for anyone considering majoring in English. In it, Lemire will give you skinny on whether or not it is worth it to pursue a degree, Bachelor's or higher, in regards to what you want to do with the rest of your life.
Keep writing, my friends.
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