Senior year can seem like a blur, with too many things to do and not enough time. But it’s important to take a minute every now and then to take a deep breath and remember the reasons why you’re making this effort—and how your investment in college will really pay off:

Reason 1

The more education you get, the more likely it is you will always have a job. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them.

Reason 2

Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than it was for your parents’ generation. Today, most good jobs require more than a high school diploma. Businesses want to hire people who know how to think and solve problems.

Reason 3

Education beyond high school gives you a lot of other benefits, including meeting new people, taking part in new opportunities to explore your interests and experiencing success.