College is this magical place in my head that everything seems to depend on; it has all the excitement and fulfillment. "That's where you'll meet your best friends." "It'll be the best time of your life." "You'll meet the one there." AHH! What else could I think of but the anticipation and especially fear.
In Lawrence B. Schlack's article "Not Going to College is a Viable Option", the college dream is flipped inside out and realities are laid on the table. There are different ways to live your life after high school other than college, and that college isn't as important as it seems. Studies indicate that college has actually tainted the perception of students, denying those that are not the particular kind that is needed. People vary in interests and skills, and because of the ever changing world (greatly affected by technology), many are no longer fit to survive, benefit from or, most importantly, afford the college route. This struck me as heartbreaking and unfair.
I believe that all people are naturally students, but are unique in their own way of learning and applying knowledge and skills. And, I also believe that the current education system has robbed many of the chance to understand that. School is essential for the molding of minds to be set free as strong producers of solutions. Without the disciplinary guidance of college, students may not be able to acquire such values and our future may end up being run by mindlessness and passivity, or worse machines.
I do not want to watch college become inadequate or reserved for the elite or the "accepted". I do not want people to depend on machines and not discover their full potential. College is for the students, all of them, no matter what kinda of student they may be.
There are different ways to go and live, but truly, knowledge is human power.
What is college to you?
I think almost everyone has this, what seems like a fantasy, about college. It's like you think that college is going to be the years of your life. It becomes a way to gain independence, wisdom, education, and social relationships. College to me, appears as a place for new beginnings. We have all come such a long way only to graduate from high school and start all over in a different type of world and school. I want to go to college because when I think about the peaceful environment that comes with it, it sounds actually very lovely. Everyone has such high expectations for it, it is really exciting. And I agree that college should not be a place of judgment. It should be a center where people feel accepted and like they belong. It should be almost like a safe haven.
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DeleteThis was such an amazing comment Jaimie, this was so helpful and so great. I know that Bianca truly appreciates this. I know I do, and I am not even the author! Great comment to a great article!
Deletecorrection---Amber'
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