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Originally posted by TreadUpon
Here's a nice bit of "college reality" for you...
When my folks went to college a four year degree cost about $24k. When they graduated they were just about gauranteed a $24k salary.
When I went to school a semester cost $24k (Samford University, 1990). Nobody could gaurantee any job, entry level was still $24 per year, most majors weren't supported by any industry, etc...
Now the "education" system fails everybody. The economics didn't add up and I left without a degree. Now I'm doing the hiring and prefer folks that havent been indoctrinated. The people that have degrees think I owe them something. The people that have busted their humps want the opportunity, and act like it.
Originally posted by prestonposthuma
Yeah sometimes I get the feeling like most of what I'm learning won't help me. I learn some practical things yes, but most things will be irrelevant in a year's time.
Public education is the foundation of our democracy -- the stepping-stones for our youth to reach their full potential. My own experience in public school was quite frustrating. I was often bored. Occasionally, I had a teacher who engaged my curiosity and motivated me to learn. Those were the teachers I really loved. I wondered, "Why can't school be engaging all of the time?" As a father, I've felt the imperative to transform schooling even more urgently.
Traditional education can be extremely isolating -- the curriculum is often abstract and not relevant to real life, teachers and students don't usually connect with resources and experts outside of the classroom, and many schools operate as if they were separate from their communities.
Originally posted by Avenginggecko
3. Sheep: It's true that most people fall into either the "party" or "study" category, but so what? As far as real diversity goes, my campus had 40,000 students and I was blown away by the diversity. Who really cares if you like partying and studying? I did my share of both...it's what college is about. Celebrating the end of childhood and initiation into the world of being an adult.
Most companies, both large and small, want individuals with degrees as their mid to upper level employees. It shows the employer that you have the dedication to complete a program that requires hard work and patience. Also, as time has progressed, the number of college graduates has increased dramatically.
Originally posted by VirginiaGreen
I have decided to focus on world studies, international institutions and globalization with a focus in latin america with minors in spanish and criminal justice. There is nowhere on Earth other than the university setting that I could acquire the amount of applicable knowledge that I have in the amount of time it has taken.
[edit on 6-10-2009 by VirginiaGreen]
[edit on 6-10-2009 by VirginiaGreen]
Originally posted by prestonposthuma
5. Material. I currently have a history class and all the material I'm taught is the history that is published in textbooks. Why are we not taught the history that really happened? Not the history of the few who have the power to write it.
6. Relevance. Statistics show that half of what you learn in your first year is outdated information by your third year. What true use is that? Another HUGE point is why take the range of classes that are required? If you are majoring in computer engineering, you're required to take an english composition course. What true use is that?
So, if anyone here is wishing they had gone to college, or if anyone is thinking about it, take this into consideration. Is it worth the time? Is my heart in it? Do I truly want to do it? While yes, I am learning about a broad range of topics, will these do me any good in the real world?