Back to Life Choices. I’m sure you have figured out that I am suggesting you build a house rather than pursue a college degree.

Shocking? Probably. But let’s compare the two choices and their impact on your future. While comparing, do not think of this as a possibility only for 20 year olds. At about any point in your life you could decide it’s time for a change and go for it.

Let’s start with money. College will cost money. Building a house costs money. The amounts in each case vary so much that specific amounts don’t mean much at this stage of planning, but it is a lot.

Just to get a good start on a basic, average college degree takes at least two years. For my house building discourse I’ll be using a time frame of two years for reasons that will soon be evident. So for either of these choices you will need two years’ time and a commitment of a substantial amount of money and not need to work for a living.

Study is necessary for college. Studying will take much of your time while house building too. Studying plans and following directions for assembling things correctly is an expected part of the house building life just like studying and taking tests is part of college life.

House building and college are both taught through “courses.” The first year at college gives you basic courses to help you progress to the next level. The first year of house building, the way I am giving it to you, uses something similar to courses to prepare you for the next level.

If you convince yourself that you are going after a degree in House Building just as you would pursue a degree in, say Liberal Arts, and give it the same level of dedication and commitment as college, you will accomplish a valuable goal. The college degree gets you ready for a better job. House building gets you a home and much more.

Think over the various benefits each of these choices gives you for later in life. You may think of ones I missed. Feel free to add your thoughts to this discussion. I confess that I am prejudiced in favor of house building but I would like to hear your views on either choice.

Next time I will start giving you the curriculum for the freshman year at House Building University.