“Junior, you need to go college” is probably one of the better known mommy-isms, second only to ‘Be careful, that’ll put your eye out!”  Due to the changes in our modern workforce, (including globalization) – we need to step up the heat on our kids and proclaim college as a non-negotiable.  Taking a few minutes to look at a government produced education vs. earnings report steps up our passion for its value. Take a look: (Click to enlarge.)

Starting, sticking with, and finishing college is one of the hardest things one can do.  It’s hard when many friends don’t value the time and work it takes to finish. It’s hard when starting a job gives money that looks awfully good to an 18 year old – but we know that same money can’t provide the dreams for his family which will be part of his life soon.  It’s hard when it gets HARD and the time is long and the expense is high.  College students are in cycles of hard work for what seems to be forever. But as adults, we know that 4-5 years of school are just a drop in the bucket of life.

There was once a psychiatrist who conducted a test and he claimed he could predict at 5 years old if a student would finish college.  He set up a camera in a room and put a child at a small table with a plate that held one marshmallow.  He left, telling the child that if she could keep from eating that marshmallow until he got back, he’d give her more marshmallows. The camera recorded child after child and the obvious dilemma they faced.  Many tried to wait out the temptation – but couldn’t – and ended up quickly (and rather guiltily) eating the marshmallow. A few had the vision of more marshmallows filling their mind and seemed to have no problem waiting for the promise.

Those students who couldn’t wait? They were those who would be unable to finish college, according to the study.  They couldn’t set aside the pleasures of the moment and have faith in the promise of a better future. That is, after all, what stands in the way of many students finishing.  Self control and dogged determination. How can I wait for 4 years when I have a job paying $10 an hour right now? That’s more than any of my friends make!!

As parents and teachers, that study is certainly something to think about.  We can mentally tick through our children to see who could set the marshmallow aside.  But is it as set as the doctor predicted? Certainly not. No one’s dye is set by 6 – or even by 14.  We can work the way our child is bent and influence them to stick with school.  Some of our children might need more emotional support through the process than others. Our children look to us for their vision – until they firmly have one of their own.

Let’s keep the value of education in our conversation, expectations and mindset as part of our regular (even daily) family relationships.  Look at graphs and reports such as the one above with your children and analyze it together.  Note the difference in not only salary, but also the unemployment rates.  And then remind our children that they hold the power in their hands to write their lives at the upper 1/3 of that graph.

“Show me your vision, and I’ll show you your future.”

A book dedication from a man who believes strongly in the possibility of a college education for every student:

“”This book is dedicated to every child who has been doubted. To all of the children in housing projects, barrios, cities, and countrysides who feel that life is hopeless, it is not hopeless! If a young man from the north end of Flint, Michigan, can be an educated scholar, the sky is the limit for you. Keep your head held high, and show the world your talent. As long as I have a breath in my body, I will fight for you, but you have to fight for yourself, too. ”