You’ve probably heard your parents tell you that getting a college education is a great investment in your future so many times that it sounds like white noise at this point. The truth is that they’re right, and maybe not in the way that you expect. Most people expect to receive pre-professional training throughout their education, but in some ways, the truly unique and valuable parts of your college experience won’t take place in the classroom. If you’re struggling to decide if college is right for you, keep reading for three of the biggest reasons why high school students should consider applying.

1. In college, you will gain knowledge and training for your future career.

College isn’t the only way to educate yourself and develop your skills, but it is often the most accessible and effective way to do so. The courses you take in college can give you everything you need to be successful in your chosen field. In addition, college can provide you with access to resources that can advance your career. For example, many colleges have career centers that provide services such as resume writing assistance and job search advice. Additionally, many colleges have alumni networks that can connect with professionals in your field.

If you want to give yourself the best possible chance of getting into your the school you want to attend, consider talking to your parents about college counseling for high school students. A college counselor can help you navigate the complex college admissions process, and they have the expertise and experience necessary to guarantee that you end up with a strong application. Their informed and valuable feedback on your essays, test scores, and other materials will ensure that the final draft is polished, engaging, and impressive.

2. College will teach you about yourself and encourage your growth.

When you go to college, you are opening yourself up to a world of opportunities. College is a time to explore new interests, and meet new people. Everyone knows that college can help you find out what you want to do with your life, but it can also help you figure out what type of person you want to be. You will be responsible for your own decisions, and for your own success. Although that can be frightening, it’s exhilarating too. For most students, college is their first taste of real independence, and it can kick off a self-discovery process that will last for the rest of your life.

You may also find that your high school career has left you woefully underprepared for the realities of taking care of yourself on a daily basis. It’s okay, you don’t need to feel bad. If you never learned how to do your laundry, cook your favorite meal, or plan your budget, transitioning to college life might be bumpy initially. The good news is that soon you’ll have enough experience that you can take care of the laundry and cook a meal or two for your parents next time you go home to visit.

3. You will broaden your horizons and meet new people.

While some of us are from diverse cities that exposed us to a wide variety of cultures and cuisines from an early age, most people live in places that are fairly monocultural. That means college can be the first opportunity that students have had in their lives to meet people from other places with their own unique traditions, foods, and languages. College can be a time of massive personal growth, as students learn to navigate new and unfamiliar academic and social situations. It can be extremely rewarding to build friendships and relationships with people from all over the world and to find out what you can learn from each other.

Ultimately, the choice to attend college is up to each individual high school student. However, the advantages provided by a college education are clear and should be taken into account when making this decision. That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges or that valid reasons to consider a non-traditional path don’t exist. Everyone is unique and you need to do what feels right to you after you finish high school. For those who want to grow as students, creators, and human beings, there are few places that can provide a better opportunity to do so than spending four years on a diverse and vibrant college campus.