As someone who just went back to college I know its an amazing experience. The atmosphere and the free sense of learning is very freeing. However, sometimes I feel like it is a little too free for the money I'm paying. Some of my professors let us out 45 minutes early after they have said virtually nothing for the day.
I know some people would say "that's great, getting out early." However, for me I'm going to college to be challenged and learn something new. But after about three weeks I do not think I have learned anything new. The benefit might be that I will get an easy A and I will have plenty of time to work on my freelance writing. I'm not one of those people to want an easy A, I want my moneys worth.
So what do you think, is the tuition you have to pay for college really worth it?
Read some more of Nina's daily thoughts on the world of entertainment at twilightnera.com
I think about this all the time. I am currently in a Master's program and cannot see the benefit from it aside from regurgitating what I learned in my undergrad program. Many individuals will blame the institution they are attending, but in my opinion this is the experience of many individuals who go back to college as adults. We are no longer those wide-eyed kids who lack the wordly and job experience. I know for myself many of the theory's I learned in my undergrad I already knew. Many of the situational papers I was asked to write I had already been in, so I was really there to receive a paper that solidified my experience. Now, I am not saying I knew everything I did learn some, but much of it I already had dealt with before. Now, if I had attended the same courses at the age of 18 or right after graduating high school then it would have been a very different story. That's just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteChub!
I could go on a 10 page dissertation about this; however, I will not - so don't fret. Ha!
ReplyDeleteWhat I will say is that being educated is very important. I am all for somebody being educated, doing things to improve themselves, and proving to themselves that they could do it. All that jazz you know? But, that said, at the end of the day, it's just a piece of paper and having worked with so many "educated" and "papered scholars", I've found that they still are just as "dumb" as those of us who do not have a degree. The thing is, in the United States, having a degree is a status symbol and as such, if one wants that coveted job, position, or respect - they have to go through the whole "dog and pony show".
"It's like in the NFL" - Justin Timberlake, Social Network
All's I know is, my few stints in and out of college were much like yours Nina and Chub, maybe that's why I'm so jaded. Who knows! Heck, some of the most successful people in this world today did not get their "education" or shall I say - degree. While their counterparts paid off thousand dollar loans, they made thousands of dollars.
I guess guys and gals, in the end, my advice as a non-scholar is, do what makes YOU happy. Whatever your motivation is, do it for YOUR happiness in the end - not because you feel you "have to" or because society is "telling you" to do it. I think in this way college is NOT a waster of time or money - it is an investment in bettering yourself as a human being on this earth today, and ultimately, it is an investment in improving mankind for the future.
Like so many things in life - it's what YOU make of it.
"To travel is better than to arrive."
Husky and Chub, I could not agree with you more! I think education is really important but I do agree that this piece of paper is well over done. Some of the smartest people out there do not have degrees and some of the dumbest people out there do. Oh, well we all live in the matrix right?lol
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