Don't confuse a university degree with a successful life, even though higher education can open doors to a range of economic options. It is one thing to make a good living, and yet it is quite another to make a good fortune. In various aspects of life, success is to be measured not so much by the education that one has as by the effort that one makes, plus of course lots of luck.
　　Undoubtedly, there are some types of success in professional life that are dependent on a university education. You need a college degree to have a career in a profession such as law, medicine, engineering, or teaching. In today's workplace, job opportunities and academic degrees are linked in such a way that it seems difficult, if not impossible, for an individual without good qualifications to make any career success happen. According to national statistics shown by economists, bachelor's degree holders earn upward of 40 percent more than high-school graduates. Based on this pattern, income levels rise as educational levels rise. Many studies also reveal that university education introduces you not only choices of career but also life goals and the power to reach these goals. In short, being able to go through higher education increases one's employability and earning potential as well as one's self-esteem.
　　Having a degree, however, does not mean that one will be successful in life. In some work fields, what is crucial are hard work and being lucky. To begin with, you do not have to have a higher education to become successful people like business-persons, sports players, political leaders, movie and music stars. While hard work is motivated by the desire to triumph, success by destiny is associated with that old ABC--ability, breaks and courage. Not all success stories are told about university graduates, nor are academic degrees particularly essential when it comes to becoming wealthy. Ironic but true, successful entrepreneurs even benefit from not having academic qualifications, because going to college and taking examinations forces people to learn and think like other millions of graduates. This actually makes it less likely that they will come up with creative ideas and truly mould-breaking insights on which amazing successes are built.
　　There is no arguing the importance of a university education as long as employability and income are concerned, but success also comes from effort to do the right work at the right time. If you think a successful life means having a lot of money, you are far from wrong. Nevertheless, it does not follow that the door to success is closed for people who do not have academic results.