A College Education is a MUST

In two weeks, Cindy and I will almost be empty-nesters. Oldest son, Thomas will be moving into his junior year at Mississippi State University, and middle son, Jordan, will be entering his first year at Ole Miss. In fact, Jordan graduated a year early from Bayou Academy in order to attend Ole Miss. That will leave daughter, Travis (12), at home with Cindy and me here in our Delta town of Cleveland for a few more years before she leaves us too.
I’m looking forward to spending some good one-on-one time with Travis during her high school years. As many of you know, Cindy and I have what is called that “split-marriage” in that she attended Mississippi State and I attended Ole Miss. That tradition continues with our sons attending these schools and I couldn’t be happier. Both are excellent universities and both offer unique and excellent programs of study.
A college education is the key to everything and we are thankful our sons are attending college because in today’s world a four-year college education or a junior college education is more important than ever. Young people who receive degrees from either have a far better chance of earning a good living than those who don’t. Today’s world is more competitive, understanding and utilizing technology is vitally important. Add a growing world population to this mix and that brings on more competition for everything in every way.
“But, I don’t have the money to attend college,” people often tell me when I get on my high horse about education. My response … there are many government loans and other financial assistance programs that will help anyone in this country go to college.
“But I’m not a good student, I’ll never get through the math that is required,” is often another comment I hear from people. My response …. you can find tutors everywhere, don’t be afraid to use them. Additionally, once you are in college, try to make an A in every class because employers like that. However, C students receive diplomas also. In fact, I have noticed most of the business owners I know who are extremely successful, are C students!
In Mississippi, we are fortunate to have a variety of educational opportunities. Regardless if you are a recent high school graduate or have been out of high school for 30 years, but did not attend college or maybe just finished college … it is never too late to get an education. Just ask my 90 year old friend from Shelby, Mississippi, Jutta Ferretti. Two years ago, Jutta graduated from Delta State University. She is now working on her master’s at DSU. It is never too late to learn!
A college education is the key to a good life whether you finish at the top of the class or the bottom …. GET A COLLEGE DEGREE!
Scott Coopwood, a seventh generation Deltan, lives in Cleveland, Mississippi, with his wife Cindy and their three children. Scott is the publisher and owner of Delta Magazine, one of the South’s leading lifestyle publications, the Delta Business Journal, the first business publication in the Mississippi Delta; and Cleveland’s weekly newspaper, The Cleveland Current . Scott’s company also publishes two weekly e-newsletters. Coopwood publishing concerns now reach 250,000 people.  Scott is also a 1984 graduate of the University of Mississippi. He can be reached at scott@coopwood.net