--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I went through college in the 1960s…" description: "\"I went through college in the 1960s without having any idea that I was going to have to make a living. When I graduated in 1968 it was quite a shock to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/francine-prose-9354_1960s_i-went-through-college-in-the-1960s-with_57291.jpg" --- # I went through college in the 1960s without having any… ![“I went through college in the 1960s without having any idea that I was going to have to make a living. When I graduated in 1968 it was quite a shock to find out that there was a world out there and that it wasn't going to support me.” quote by Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/francine-prose-9354_1960s_i-went-through-college-in-the-1960s-with_57291.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/francine-prose-9354_1960s_i-went-through-college-in-the-1960s-with_57291.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a73/francine-prose-9354_1960s_i-went-through-college-in-the-1960s-with_57291.jpg) > “I went through college in the 1960s without having any idea that I was going to have to make a living. When I graduated in 1968 it was quite a shock to find out that there was a world out there and that it wasn't going to support me.” [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on the abrupt realization that academic life does not guarantee financial stability, highlighting the gap between education and economic reality. **In simple terms:** College leaves graduates unprepared for real‑world earnings. Key Takeaway Education ≠ automatic livelihood Themes coming‑of‑age economic reality career anxiety generational shift education‑work gap Mood reflective concerned nostalgic Type personal anecdote social commentary When to use this quote - recent graduates facing job market - students questioning degree value - career counseling sessions - financial literacy workshops Key Concepts financial independence career readiness societal expectations Practical Applications - career advising - financial planning education Questions to Reflect On - How can curricula better prepare students for financial realities? - What responsibilities do institutions have to bridge education and employment? A Different Perspective null ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Shock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shock/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I first came to think about media and politics in the late 1960s, having observed some distortions up close, but since then I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-gitlin/i-first-came-to-think-about-media-and-politics-in-the-late-1960s/) [Todd Gitlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-gitlin/) > [I remember coming to this college in the 1960s as a new legislator when a road divided the campus - and it was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-n-castle/i-remember-coming-to-this-college-in-the-1960s-as-a-new-legislator/) [Michael N. Castle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-n-castle/) > [When I left school I went to college and then I remember doing three weeks labouring for someone and it was the worst three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/callum-smith/when-i-left-school-i-went-to-college-and-then-i-remember-doing-three/) [Callum Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/callum-smith/) > [I went to college for fashion and, after graduating, got a job in Operations at Zara, learning the ins and outs so I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-france/i-went-to-college-for-fashion-and-after-graduating-got-a-job-in/) [Tan France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-france/) > [I had no idea what art was. There was one art class in high school, but it didn't make a big impression on me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claes-oldenburg/i-had-no-idea-what-art-was-there-was-one-art-class-in-high-school-but/) [Claes Oldenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claes-oldenburg/) > [I went to college as a theater major. But after about three weeks of that, I changed to the school of fine arts as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-fogelberg/i-went-to-college-as-a-theater-major-but-after-about-three-weeks-of/) [Dan Fogelberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-fogelberg/) > [“In the East, he then believed, a man went to college not for vocational training but in disciplined search for wisdom and beauty, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-yates/in-the-east-he-then-believed-a-man-went-to-college-not-for-vocational/) [Richard Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-yates/) > [If I were to be a role model, it would just come out of going the college route, getting training, and trusting that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camila-mendes/if-i-were-to-be-a-role-model-it-would-just-come-out-of-going-the/) [Camila Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camila-mendes/) > [When I went to college is really when it became my own. I had to get up out of that dorm room and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-rivers/when-i-went-to-college-is-really-when-it-became-my-own-i-had-to-get/) [Philip Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-rivers/) > [It was always my dream, to do a leading role on Broadway. It's what I went to college to do, in hopes of one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patina-miller/it-was-always-my-dream-to-do-a-leading-role-on-broadway-it-s-what-i/) [Patina Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patina-miller/) > [I was a chemistry major when I first went to college, which turned out to be a huge mistake. When I realized that, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlan-collins/i-was-a-chemistry-major-when-i-first-went-to-college-which-turned-out/) [Kaitlan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlan-collins/) > [I went to a college in New York called New Paltz. I studied theater there for four years. I also studied privately in NYC…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aida-turturro/i-went-to-a-college-in-new-york-called-new-paltz-i-studied-theater/) [Aida Turturro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aida-turturro/) > [I didn't finish high school - left home when I was 15. I moved away to Fresno and worked as a grocery clerk. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-covey/i-didn-t-finish-high-school-left-home-when-i-was-15-i-moved-away-to/) [Joy Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-covey/) > [My mother raised me in the church. I was not allowed to stay home on Sunday; there was no option. I sang in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-harvey/my-mother-raised-me-in-the-church-i-was-not-allowed-to-stay-home-on/) [Steve Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-harvey/) > [I was born in St. Augustine, Florida. I lived there till I was about 13, and then my family moved to Connecticut. I finished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lachanze/i-was-born-in-st-augustine-florida-i-lived-there-till-i-was-about-13/) [LaChanze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lachanze/) ## More by Francine Prose > [“I'm out of the equation, an innocent bystander at the major love affair Joan is having with Joan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/i-m-out-of-the-equation-an-innocent-bystander-at-the-major-love/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [All the elements of good writing depend on the writer's skill in choosing one word instead of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/all-the-elements-of-good-writing-depend-on-the-writer-s-skill-in/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“She emerges from the station directly across from the restaurant. And she's right on time. Like magic, Sonya thinks, briefly saddened to realize that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/she-emerges-from-the-station-directly-across-from-the-restaurant-and/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“Like, for example, sleeve length. Should he hide the tattoos? Or just wear a T-shirt and let "them" do the talking? If one picture's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/like-for-example-sleeve-length-should-he-hide-the-tattoos-or-just/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“Consequently, we sympathize. We identify. We care. In fact, most writers would like you to identify”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/consequently-we-sympathize-we-identify-we-care-in-fact-most-writers/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“A woman would have to be crazy to marry, or even have sex with, a man who would prosecute every lover’s quarrel like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/a-woman-would-have-to-be-crazy-to-marry-or-even-have-sex-with-a-man/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [I know a lot of Eastern Europeans, and because of what they have been through and what they have seen, they have an attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/i-know-a-lot-of-eastern-europeans-and-because-of-what-they-have-been/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“I’ve always thought that a close-reading course should at least be a companion, if not an alternative, to the writing workshop. Though it also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/i-ve-always-thought-that-a-close-reading-course-should-at-least-be-a/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“Not all great writers may seem great to us, regardless of how often and how hard we try to see their virtues. I know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/not-all-great-writers-may-seem-great-to-us-regardless-of-how-often/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [Like seeing a photograph of yourself as a child, encountering handwriting that you know was once yours but that now seems only dimly familiar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/like-seeing-a-photograph-of-yourself-as-a-child-encountering/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > ['One Hundred Years of Solitude' convinced me to drop out of Harvard graduate school. The novel reminded me of everything my Ph.D. program was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/one-hundred-years-of-solitude-convinced-me-to-drop-out-of-harvard/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“Maybe real love is being able to ask, Do I have greens in my teeth?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/maybe-real-love-is-being-able-to-ask-do-i-have-greens-in-my-teeth/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [With this recitation of paraphernalia and detritus, O'Brien manages to encapsulate the experience of an army and of a particular war, of a mined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/with-this-recitation-of-paraphernalia-and-detritus-o-brien-manages-to/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [“The repetitions, meaningless expressions, stammers, and nonsensical monosyllables with which we express hesitation, along with the clichés and banalities that constitute so much of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/the-repetitions-meaningless-expressions-stammers-and-nonsensical/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) > [Words are the raw material out of which literature is crafted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-prose/words-are-the-raw-material-out-of-which-literature-is-crafted/) [Francine Prose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) [Explore all 73 Francine Prose quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-prose/) ## More 1960s quotes > [We do need different types of propulsion to get to Mars. I wrote one of the first Ph.D. theses on that in the 1960s.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-do-need-different-types-of-propulsion-to-get-to-mars-i-wrote-one/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Each year more than 100,000 high school graduates, with proved ability, do not enter college because they cannot afford it. And if we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/each-year-more-than-100-000-high-school-graduates-with-proved-ability/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [Nearly all the writing of our time is likely to disappear in a hundred years. Certainly most readers - and nearly all critics -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dirda/nearly-all-the-writing-of-our-time-is-likely-to-disappear-in-a/) [Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dirda/) > [Sometimes a party must sail against the wind. We cannot heed the call of those who say it is time to furl the sail.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-kennedy/sometimes-a-party-must-sail-against-the-wind-we-cannot-heed-the-call/) [Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-kennedy/) > [ \[In the 1960s\]...you could take LSD but you couldn't wear a pantsuit. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsey-johnson/in-the-1960s-you-could-take-lsd-but-you-couldn-t-wear-a-pantsuit/) [Betsey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsey-johnson/) > [Is it a coincidence that stories from the private life became more popular just as the grand hope for public redemption through revolution was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-griffin/is-it-a-coincidence-that-stories-from-the-private-life-became-more/) [Susan Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-griffin/) > [I think the general anxiety of the 1960s - '70s spawned our interest in the living dead. When people worry about the end of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-brooks/i-think-the-general-anxiety-of-the-1960s-70s-spawned-our-interest-in/) [Max Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-brooks/) > [“A friend once told me a story about a former Black Panther leader in a Midwest community who in the 1960s had his phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-j-rodr-guez/a-friend-once-told-me-a-story-about-a-former-black-panther-leader-in/) [Luis J. Rodríguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-j-rodr-guez/) > [I was never bothered about my position in the industry. If I had believed in it, I wouldn't have allowed anyone to get ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-was-never-bothered-about-my-position-in-the-industry-if-i-had/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [Under the system that we now have to nominate presidential candidates, for instance, I would prefer that we have a system that is closer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beschloss/under-the-system-that-we-now-have-to-nominate-presidential-candidates/) [Michael Beschloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beschloss/) > [My son Bill, who came to me in 1960-he was 14 then, quoted the old parable to me: "It is not by their words,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madalyn-murray-o-hair/my-son-bill-who-came-to-me-in-1960-he-was-14-then-quoted-the-old/) [Madalyn Murray O'Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madalyn-murray-o-hair/) > [There is a book called San Francisco Tape Music Centre:1960s Counterculture and the Avant-Garde and this book describes everything that you want to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-oliveros/there-is-a-book-called-san-francisco-tape-music-centre-1960s/) [Pauline Oliveros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-oliveros/) > [Much of the art of the 1960s, from body art to video and direct performance, was concerned with similar issues. And then there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valie-export/much-of-the-art-of-the-1960s-from-body-art-to-video-and-direct/) [Valie Export](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valie-export/) > [“At the beginning of a decade when everything was beginning to seem possible, nothing seemed impossible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-lee-shetterly/at-the-beginning-of-a-decade-when-everything-was-beginning-to-seem/) [Margot Lee Shetterly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-lee-shetterly/) > [Our family arrived in England in 1960. At that time I thought the war was ancient history. But if I think of 15 years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazuo-ishiguro/our-family-arrived-in-england-in-1960-at-that-time-i-thought-the-war/) [Kazuo Ishiguro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazuo-ishiguro/) Browse all 486 1960s quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I went through college in the 1960s without having any idea that I was going to have to make a living. 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