"College is a scam!" You’ve probably heard this before. But is it true? Well, maybe. I remember walking into my fancy university thinking I was about to become the next Mark Zuckerberg. The campus was beautiful, the professors had impressive titles, and everything seemed perfect. But then reality hit me. I watched as my friends dropped out one by one. Some of the smartest people I knew were struggling to pass their classes. What was supposed to be a three-year degree turned into five years for many. And all that money? Gone. Just like that. Here's the real problem: what we learn in college isn't what we need at work. Sure, they teach us cool stuff like how computers think and how to make programs run faster. But when you get your first job, and guess what? Nobody asks you about that stuff. Instead, they want to know if you can build websites, create apps, or fix bugs. Think about bootcamps for a second. While college students spend years studying theories, bootcamp students are building actual stuff. They're making websites that work, creating apps people can use, and learning the exact tools companies want. But here's something even more interesting: some of the best programmers I know never went to college for a CS degree. Some used to be construction workers, artists, or even uber drivers! They taught themselves how to code by watching videos, reading books, and practicing a lot. And you know what? They all landed their dream jobs. Why? Because they focused on what matters - actually building stuff. While I was staying up late studying for tests about computer theory, they were creating real programs that solved real problems. Does this mean college is completely useless? Not exactly. One year I spent in college taught me some important stuff about how computers work. But here's the truth: if you want to be a programmer, you need to do more than just go to class and pass exams. The secret is to build things on your own. Start a project. Make mistakes. Fix them. Learn new tools. Join communities. These things matter more than any grade you'll get in college. I'm not saying don't go to college. But don't think a degree is your only way to becoming a good programmer. Some of the most successful people in tech took different paths. What really matters is your ability to solve problems and build useful things. Remember: companies care more about what you can do than what degree you have. They want to see the websites you've built, the apps you've created, and the problems you've solved. That's what makes you a real programmer - not a piece of paper with your name on it. So if you're in college right now, or thinking about going, just remember: your degree is just one part of the journey. The real learning happens when you start building things on your own.