银川海派英语：我们为什么要上大学

我们为何上大学？

We all know about the obvious benefits to having a college degree—namely, a steady job and financial security. But we often overlook other benefits to higher education: quality of life improvements that deserve to be brought into focus, whether you’re on the fence about going back to school or are just having a hard time appreciating the degree you already have.

我们都知道，有份大学文凭显然有好处，它意味着一份稳定的工作以及收入保障。但是，在你犹豫是否继续读书或者纠结是否满足现有学历的时候，要考虑一下经常被我们忽视的高等教育的其他益处：生活质量的提升。

1.Improved Self-Esteem 提升自尊

There’s just something about a college grad that makes her stand a little bit straighter and a little bit taller. It likely has to do with the boost to one’s self-esteem and confidence that comes with making it through a higher education program.

大学文凭有种微妙的影响力，可以让人挺直腰板，抬头挺胸。这可能是因为接受高等教育的经历提升了一个人的自尊和自信。

Studies conducted by the College Board and others like it have found that those who have completed additional schooling are not only more well-equipped to handle mental challenges, but also report a higher level of satisfaction when doing so.

大学理事会等相关机构组织的调查研究发现，一个完成了高等教育的人不仅有能力处理好精神挑战，而且在应对挑战时也能感到高度的自我满足。

2.Healthy Choices 促进身心健康

In addition to the mental boost that comes with higher education, college grads are healthier overall. Higher socioeconomic status (measured by total family income, level of education attained and professional career status) is directly correlated with better physical health and life expectancy.

高等教育除了能带来精神上的激励，身体上也是如此，大学毕业生整体上来说更加健康。社会经济地位由家庭总收入、教育水平以及职业地位来衡量，而社会经济地位又与身体健康程度和寿命长短有直接关系。

This correlation seems obvious when you consider that those who earn more money have greater access to health care and healthier food options. But what you may not have considered is that higher education means the ability and desire to make better choices when it comes to habits—eating and otherwise.

这种关联性似乎显而易见，因为赚钱多的人可以得到更好的健康护理，选择更健康的食品。但是你想不到的是，高等教育意味着有能力和意愿在饮食或者其他方面养成好习惯。

For example, those with extended educations are less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise. When you put greater emphasis on taking care of your mind with additional schooling, you naturally put greater emphasis on taking care of your body, too. It’s truly as simple as: wh en you know better, you do better.

举例来说，接受更多教育的人吸烟的概率更小，健身的概率更大。当你十分重视以高等教育充实思想时，你也会很自然地重视关爱自己的身体。你知道什么是好的，你就会这么去做，就是这么简单。

3.Higher Job Satisfaction 更高的工作满意度

While we’re on the subject of bettering ourselves, one common reason people seek highe r education is to get out of a dead-end job. Having a degree often means having an actual career