First thing’s first — we as a society must, from time-to-time, must take the idea of a college education off its social pedestal.

Before anybody gets their cap and tassel in a bunch: “college” is a means to an end, yes, but college is not the single, end-all, say-all option. In some cases, “college” is simply supplementary to already learned skills.

So take the phrase, “college is not for everybody” and add a significant addendum: “college is not for everybody right now.”

See — fostering a successful college career is a delicate thing. It goes beyond plainly registering for a class, attending and passing said class.

Who knew?

Let’s say, for example, that there is some wide-eyed dreamer out there, one with the drive and courage to say, corner the rutabaga market.

Not only does this brave soul wish to learn of rutabagas, this fellow also dreams that one day, (s)he will enter the doctoral program at California University, Rutabaga, and perhaps, some day in our fine 21st century, engineer the next breed of premium, drought-resistant, zero-pesticide rutabagas.

Ambitious right?

So — and keep following me here — this brave fellow picks up a few Rutabaga Studies classes, performs an internship at Rutabagas R’ Us… (s)he should be well on their way, right?

Well, no.

Simply entering and participating in the institution, even if done successfully, is no guarantee of total success.

While it is neither an exercise in total failure, here are a few irritating, though notable realities: el colegio requires long-term planning and a reliable financial support system.

Without a plan, without dough to support his/her rutabaga-loving ways, this student, no matter how ambitious, brilliant, talented, or wrought with potential, is almost categorically doomed.

I am not, for clarity’s sake, making the argument that a college education is a posh and elitist institution. No institution should ever be slammed just because a few unnamed folks opt on scraping the ceiling with their noses.

Rather, the point is: it is not your only option, and if it is the option de jour, then the proper foundations must be put into place.

Otherwise, the time spent carries the risk of being time wasted.

So, to recap: think before you register for that interpretive dance class or that fifth pottery class (no offense, Theatre/Arts Department).

Is it relative to your major? Can your schedule afford it? Can your pocket book afford it, for that matter?

Remember — a successfully acquired college education is done through fine-tuning.

Meandering is OK, but let’s not lose sight of the forest for the trees.

Now go get them rutabagas.