How our views on college as entrepreneurs shaped our children’s college fund.

Kyle didn’t graduate college.

He came home and didn’t get a job either.

He chose to bet on himself instead.

Even when influential people in our life didn’t support the risks he was taking, he kept going.

Want to know his biggest regret?

Kyle has said multiple times he wishes he hadn’t gone to college… He feels like he could have further his business during those two years more than what he gained in classes.

I’m continuously inspired by his ability to do. I’m a researcher, an analyzer and a planner. He literally just goes for it and makes his own forward momentum. Those quotes about making your own luck make me think of Kyle every time. He’s not always winning, there’s been plenty of learning too. But the most inspiring part to me is how he doesn’t let recent decision bias plague his next move. He moves on quickly, with only the good.

On the opposite end. I did graduate with a four year degree and I don’t regret it at all!

I can think of principles from 3 classes I took in college that I’m using today.

Right now, I can think of principles I learned in ag Econ and ag policy that have helped guide me. I don’t want to admit it, but also statistics 🙃🙃

I was able to get my 4 year Bachelor’s degree in 2.5 years. Back in the good ‘ol days where you could pay for 12 credits and anything over that was free. I got waivers signed to take 21 credits a semester.

Growing up, we took animals to the county fair. All of our premium sale money and the sale of that animal went in my college savings. Then I filled out college scholarships like it was a job. After taking 21 credits in high school I was able to pay for all my college with my savings and pay my living expenses from the money I made in the summer as a crop consultant’s secretary.

Graduating debt free influences how I see my experience. Had I left with debt, I would see it differently. I’m not sure it would be worth the weight of the debt.

But with no debt and minimal time for the degree I got, it’s not a regret. Did I need 2.5 years or those 3 classes I remember? I’d say those three classes. Mmm, actually I’m not sure I can say. I’m sure there are other principles I lean on that I can’t attribute to a particular place, but it was college.

So no, I don’t regret college.

Do I think it was worth it? I’m honestly not sure. I don’t have strong feelings to say yes or no.

Now how does this translate to our kids? Do we expect our kids to attend college?

When our kids were born we bought them 5 registered open heifers each. We discussed having it as a college fund.

But ultimately decided to make it an opportunity fund.

We were raised to go to college. It was a “necessary” step in securing our future.

Times have changed.

We’ll be encouraging our kids to run a full analysis of their options.

Perhaps it includes college and maybe it doesn’t.

I remember sitting in the lunch room during high school filling out a survey. There was a question asking the highest level of schooling my parents had obtained.

I was so proud to fill out a 4 year degree for both of them.

In that moment, I wanted to give my future kids the same chance to fill in that bubble for their parents. At the time, I felt that bubble meant success.

Times have changed.

Our parents encouraging us to go to college came from a place back when that piece of paper did hold weight.

The world has changed vastly since. It’s wild the amount of classes and courses and information we can obtain now that weren’t even possible a decade ago.

Learning is changing. Measuring ability by a piece of paper is changing. The cost to obtain that piece of paper is changing.

I don’t see college as necessary for every person. I won’t be encouraging my kids to go have fun and enjoy the experience without them fulling being aware of both the direct and opportunity costs. If they still so choose to spend their money that way, fully aware of all the costs & rewards, I’ll support that.

I’ll also support them starting a business, investing their opportunity fund, and finding a way to earn a living they’re excited about. One that makes sense.