I know it's a bit contrived, but the entire time I was reading this I was thinking about my college's marketing phrase "we're not for everyone... but then, maybe you're not everyone." I think there are some valid points in this article, but I think that's in large part because students aren't doing anything to get change. If every student thought long and hard about why they wanted to go to college, and then made an informed decision on where based on that, rather than wanting to go simply because that's what you do, and wanting to go to somewhere prestigious because of name-recognition, then I think that college would be more worthwhile for the people who currently go simple because they're the first in their families to go on to higher education (I think that that's a shitty reason to go to school anyway, it's all family pressure bullshit).
If somebody graduates from high school, spends a year or three out in the world, finds something that they are passionate about that higher education is the only way to advance in, and then picks a college based on their interests and the atmosphere of the school, then college will be good for them. On the other hand, if someone is raised with the expectation that they will go to Harvard or Yale, and is made to study hard and keep up their grades so that they can get accepted at the best schools, then they're likely to be miserable once they actually get to school, and won't much care if they aren't having a worthwhile experience.
I appreciate this. As someone who is constantly questioning college yet still attending, this was reassuring for me. I know what I want to do with my life and I've accepted that the only way to accomplish this goal is by getting a master's degree. When I get there, I'm sure I'll be happy. If I didn't have a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life, I'd be wasting a whole lot of money and a whole lot of my time like so many students do unfortunately. You're right- people really need to think about their decision before they choose to go to college. College isn't for everyone. It's probably not for most people. I don't even know if it's for me, frankly, and I don't even really know what I'm getting at or who you are, but thanks.
If somebody graduates from high school, spends a year or three out in the world, finds something that they are passionate about that higher education is the only way to advance in, and then picks a college based on their interests and the atmosphere of the school, then college will be good for them. On the other hand, if someone is raised with the expectation that they will go to Harvard or Yale, and is made to study hard and keep up their grades so that they can get accepted at the best schools, then they're likely to be miserable once they actually get to school, and won't much care if they aren't having a worthwhile experience.
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College isn't for everyone. It's probably not for most people. I don't even know if it's for me, frankly, and I don't even really know what I'm getting at or who you are, but thanks.
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