Today, many students graduating from high school see college as an important stage in their future, although many studies suggest not all students are ready for college. Author Charles Murray argues in his essay “Are Too Many People Going to College?” that too many students decide to go to college, even though they would be better served through online education. Charles Murray also argues in his essay that, “The two-year community college and online courses offer more flexible options for tailoring course work to the real needs of the job.”(242) An example of this would be myself, I am currently taking my Economics 2 class as a “hybrid” course this semester. A “hybrid” course is an 8 week course that requires both in-class and online coursework, …show more content…
providing the student with the best of both worlds. The author also argues, “We are now watching the early expression of those possibilities: podcasts and streaming videos in real time of professors’ lectures, online discussions among students scattered around the country, online interaction between students and professor, online exams, and tutorials augmented by computer-aided instruction software.”(244) For example, in my Economics 2 course we are required to do online discussions that are due every Saturday and online assignments and online quizzes that are due every Sunday. In addition, a commonly asked question is “when is college the best option for students?”, which in my opinion, college is the best option for students right after graduating high school because it will prepare the prospective students to face the adult life and real world. Also, some of the factors that deserve consideration from a student are their future, who they want to be in life, what lifestyle they want, drive, passion, what are their goals, and their motivations. An example of how students can weigh these factors considering the benefits and pitfalls of pursuing a college education is having a part-time job while studying, while if they were not studying they can be working a full-time job and earning more money. A benefit from pursuing a college education is you get to earn a degree and make more money than the person who never pursued a college education and is working a full-time job. In my opinion, the best time for prospective students to enroll into college is right after high school because it will prepare the prospective students for the adult life. For example, the essay “Colleges Prepare People for Life” by author Freeman Hrabowski, it talks about how the transition from high school to college will teach us and prepare us to face the adult life. An example of this would be me, the transition from high school to college has taught me to become more responsible in managing my time because I work a part time job and I am a full-time student in college. Another example of how colleges prepare students for life is in the essay where Hrabowski states, “Yes, college prepare people for jobs, but more critically, they prepare people for life. A job may be the starting point for the good life, but it shouldn’t be the endpoint.”(260) In this quote, the author Freeman Hrabowski explains that college will prepare us for jobs and life, while on the other hand if people just work a full time job and do not attend college, they may not be able to go far in life. Also, another example from the essay is when Hrabowski states, “College graduates are much more likely to be employed than those with only a high school diploma and earn substantially higher salaries.”(260) The author Freeman Hrabowski explains in this quote that people who graduate from college, or have a college degree have more chances of getting a well payed and comfortable job than those who have a high school diploma, but no college education. In addition, another example that can relate to this quote is myself because I decided to enroll into college right away after graduating high school because I wanted get started in working towards my goals and begin my path into becoming someone that people can look at as a role model. Also, students must take into consideration some of the factors such as what drives them, their aspirations, future, passions, goals, motivations, what lifestyle they want, and who they want to be in life.
An example of considering these factors is the essay “Should Everyone Go to College?” by Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill, where they talk about the factors and opportunity costs of going to college. For example, in the essay authors Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill state, “Furthermore we have to factor in the opportunity cost of college, measured as the foregone earnings a student gives up when he or she leaves or delays entering the workforce in order to attend school.”(210) The authors explain in this quote that we have to take into consideration all the money a student could have made by entering the workforce instead of starting a college education. A perfect example of this scenario is myself because I work a part time job and do not earn as much money as a full time worker because I have always put my education first and have been a dedicated full time student in college. On the other hand, another example from the essay “Should Everyone Go to College?” is when authors Owen and Sawhill state, “However, there are many non-monetary benefits of schooling which are harder to measure but no less important, research suggests that additional education improves overall wellbeing by affecting things like job satisfaction, health, marriage, parenting, trust, and social interaction.”(210) In this quote, authors Owen and Sawhill explain the factors that can have a positive effect on a person who chooses to pursue a college education and the benefits he or she will receive such as a satisfying job, a healthy marriage, personal health, parenting, trust, and social interactions with people. Also, another example from the essay is where the authors state, “Additionally, there are social benefits to education, such as reduced crime rates and higher political
participation.”(210) Authors Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill explain in this quote that acquiring a college education can give people social benefits such as lower crime rates and higher participation in politics. In my opinion, I can relate to this quote because I have seen and read articles talking about people with an education tend to cause lower crime rates and also have a higher chance in participating in politics. Further on, in the essay the authors Owen and Sawhill also state, “We also do not want to dismiss personal preferences, and we acknowledge that many people derive value from their careers in ways that have nothing to do with money.”(210) In this quote, the authors Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill explain that many people place value in their education in ways that do not have anything to do with money. For example, I myself have placed value in education because for me seeing my mom happy and proud of me because I graduated is a motivation to continue my education. Also, other reasons why I have placed value on my education is because I want a bright future, accomplish my goals, and become a role model to other people who have gone through hard times like myself and prove to them that no matter what they are going or have gone through nothing is impossible if they want to accomplish their goals. In addition, in order for students to place more weight on these factors, prospective students must think about the kind of person they want to be in the future, the kind of lifestyle they want to live, and their long term goals. For example, I placed more weight on these factors of continuing my education by wanting to be someone people look at as a role model, or as an inspiration in society despite the challenges I have faced. Also, I placed more weight on those factors because I want to graduate with a Master’s degree in Business to make my single mother happy and proud of my accomplishments and success. In comparison, in the speech “Bowie State University Commencement Speech” by Michelle Obama, where she mentions a graduate’s story by stating, “Another one of this year’s graduates is Audrey Marie Lugmayer, who is the daughter of a single father that struggled with some serious health issues, who worked a full time job while juggling a full course load, and is now graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA.”(292) In this quote, author Michelle Obama describes the story of a young woman named Audrey Marie Lugmayer who had a single father with health issues and worked a full time job, while attending Bowie State University as a full time student. Another example of how students can place more weight on these factors is to consider the lifestyle they want, like myself I chose to continue my education because I want to have a successful future and give my family a comfortable lifestyle. Finally, I believe college is the best option for prospective students right after graduating high school, because it will prepare students to face the adult life and real world. Also, students should always consider the factors of gaining a college education by thinking about their future, passion, drive, motivation, and their long term goals. Prospective should also place more weight on these factors because they will affect them for the better. In conclusion, a question we can all ask ourselves is will the enrollment of prospective students into college increase or decrease in the future?
As the economy evolves and the job market continues to get more competitive, it’s becoming harder to have a successful career without some kind of college degree. This creates a belief in many young students that college actually is a commodity, something they must have in order to have a good life. There’s many different factors that influence this mindset, high schools must push the importance of the student’s willingness and drive to further their education. College isn’t just a gateway to jobs, but it is an opportunity to increase knowledge and stretch and challenge the student which in return makes them a more rounded adult and provides them with skills they might lack prior to
One major decision one must make after exiting high school is whether to go to a university or go to community college. In the article “Two Year Are Better Than Four,” written by Liz Addison. She expressed her opinion on the significance of community colleges in comparison with the university. She stated that community college do not receive the acknowledgment and appreciation that they deserve. “what’s the matter with colleges?,” (Addison 255). although, there is a lot to agree with within the article there are some faulty statements that two year colleges don’t offer the best education possible and that community college are more engaging and individualized for a student and the price is also much less expensive than a university education.
American’s education system has been entering crisis mode for a long time. Throughout the past few years, the overwhelming question “Is college needed or worth it?” While it is an opinion, there are facts that back up each answer. Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” mentions that the enlightened must help the unenlightened and further their knowledge. The problem with America today is that high school students are given the option of college and that makes for less enlightened people. While it is possible to learn in the work force or Army, college is a better option. Mary Daly wrote the article “Is It Still Worth Going to College?” which talks about the statistical value of attending. Michelle Adam wrote the article “Is College Worth It?” which mentions the struggle young people are going through to even get into college. Caroline Bird wrote the chapter “Where College Fails Us” in her book The Case Against College where she
Most people in the world thinks that a degree is required almost everywhere. In today’s society it is often thought that if people do not go to college they will not succeed. In Owen and Sawhill’s article “Should Everyone Go To College?”the author respond to people who either go to college and actually earn a degree or people who do not go to college and are actually saving money. The major reason that college is not always the idea for students and their families is the cost. “The cost of college matters as well: the more someone has to pay to attend, the lower the net benefit of attending.” (Owen and Sawhill, 2013, p. 2 ). Although the authors mention the benefits of attending college, they argue that college is only beneficial under certain
In recent discussions of "Is College Worth It?" by John Green, a controversial issue has been weather-attending college worth it or not? On the one hand, some argue that colleges are not worth attending because it is too expensive and they do not need a degree to get a good job. From this perspective, many people do not apply to a college. On the other hand, however, others insist that college is worth attending because it is expanding the knowledge and give more opportunity to find jobs. In the words of John Green one of this view 's proponents, " Education gave me perspective and context." According to this view, college is worth to apply for because it enlarges the information that people have and expands their knowledge. In sum, then, the
They go on to say, "While the average return to obtaining a college degree is clearly positive, we emphasize that it is not universally so. For certain schools, majors, occupations, and individuals, college may not be a smart investment." (page. 209 Para. 1). This applies more to older students rather than students who are fresh out of high school. One of the main reasons the return rate is greater is because most of these students who are already working need more education in order to further themselves in their workplace. The authors also add that "The main problem is one of selection: if the smartest, most motivated people are both more likely to go to college and more likely to be financially successful, then the observed difference in earning 's by years of education doesn 't measure the true effect of college." (Page 209, Para #2). This means students who do not take advantage of all that college has to offer are not really getting the full experience. Why not invest in four years and come out with the opportunity to make more money? Some students want to go ahead and get school out of the way. Furthering education accumulates lots of debt. Some student 's choose not to overwhelm themselves with those costly decisions; they want to get right to work. Owens and Sawhill provided enough information on how logical it is to attend
People who graduated with a college degree still questions whether college was a good investment for them. “Do the Benefits of College Still Outweigh the Costs?” addresses how students who graduated with a college degree are still unemployed and in debt. Furthermore, students have been paying more to attend college and earning less upon graduation. This academic journal compares both the pros and cons of attending college. It contains graphs and illustrations that contribute more data about increasing tuition and how it affects your decision about whether to attend college. “The total costs to attend a 4-year college outweighs some people’s home value.” I thought this quote summarizes the academic journal very briefly.
In Caroline Bird’s “College is A Waste of Time and Money”, it’s argued that there are many college students who would be better off if they were to begin working after high school graduation. Colleges and universities can no longer ensure that one will go on to get a better job, getting paid more than they would have without a higher education. However, high school seniors still stress about where they will be attending college, how they’re going to pay for it and what they’re going to study for the next four years. Bird points out how college has changed over the past few decades and how, in turn, it has set many young adults up for disappointment, if nothing else.
With tuition rising every year, students face the challenge paying the debt achieving a college degree comes with. “Student debt surpassed credit-card debt in June 2010 for the first time in history, rising to about $830 billion — or nearly 6 percent of the nation 's annual economic output”(Clemmitt, Marcia). Not everyone has a ton of money just laying around. Being that financial trouble is the biggest problem for students, they begin to question whether college is worth it or not. In recent years, students have taken out loans to help with expenses. Most students choose to attend a community and junior college to help minimize the debt. Even after graduating with a degree, students still face the struggle of finding a job in this economic time. For higher class families this may not be a problem to them. But for the middle class and low income families, they face tougher times being that they don 't have the financial help like higher class families do. For the middle class and low income families, it makes more sense attending a community and junior college rather than a four year university.
In current times, children are told from a young age that college is imperative to getting a good, stable job. However, this is not always true. Therefore, it cannot be determined if college is always the best choice. Because each person is different and learns in a way unique to themselves, it’s up to each individual to decide whether or not they think they need further education based upon their goals, aspirations, and desires in life. There are many benefits to attending a college or university. For example, college graduates earn about $17,500 more each year than high school graduates. College degrees also give you more options. Not only do you have many career options after obtaining your degree, you also have differing options of how you acquire your degree. Colleges and universities have created many diverse programs, offering traditional classes, online classes, semi-online classes, and night and weekend classes. One of the biggest benefits of attending college is the real world experience you gain from being there and living partially on your own. For most people, college is a time where you can gain experience living with new responsibilities that you don’t have at home, without the pressure of having to pay bills on time
As the high school chapter is coming to a close, many students have to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives. Hopefully, for many that decision is to enroll in a college and attain a higher education. However, as tuition costs rise, students have to take a second look at their options for a better future. A community college is that second look for many because it is the less expensive option. From 2007-2009, enrollment for community colleges has increased by 24 percent (“College costs and the CPI”). Students aren’t choosing a college for educational purposes because they are overwhelmed by financial issues. They are attending community colleges so they will be able to graduate with a lower debt. Some seniors have wanted to attend a certain university all their life and they work toward that goal through grade school; however, they are hindered by soaring tuition for that college. Students should be able to attend a private university if they mee...
Students go to college in search of knowledge, a new lifestyle, and the hope of a job after graduation. For many young adults, college is a rite of passage into an independent, mature new lifestyle. Not only is higher education a rite of passage, for some, it is also an opportunity to have a better life. Overall, college is a wonderful part of many people’s lives, yet the way the college education system is conducted wastes students time and money. College is basically composed of two parts: general education classes and major specific classes. General education courses are the source of wasted time and money, and should not be required of students. A few of the problems associated with general education classes are that they are basically a repeat of high school, unfortunately they can be the demise of students, they are costly, and they waste time.
Statistic shows that you will be more likely to behave in healthier lifestyle such as not smoking if you attend college. And also college students have shown to be less obese within each age group, college-educated adults are less likely than others to be obese. In addition, children living in households with more educated parents are less likely than other children to be obese. All these things are a benefit because the healthier of a lifestyle you will have the longer and better life you will have. Going to college even if you are not majoring in a field related to like health or something college helps you see through a lot of propaganda and things like that. College allows you to think at another level where you will be able to analyze and think to make the better choice. I think that is one of the most important things that college can do for a student to help them think and figure out problems. Thinking and figuring out a problems is a skill that will last with students for the rest of their life and that skill can be applied in in their life and through the work field. Going to college also provide our society with more highly intellectual people. If college wasn’t important than police officer, nurses, and doctors wouldn’t need to go to college. That is not the case here to get these jobs you need to go to college to get these job because
Schedules are a difficult thing to balance. A person must find the time to complete a number of tasks in a day. A normal adult may have time to get everything done and still have time to spare. The normal college student on the other hand is constantly on the go. College students have busy schedules that include working, studying, and socializing.
A new experience, a change from the norm, looking out for myself, and living on my own: for me this is college. The transition of high school student to college seemed immensely overwhelming and even a bit scary. The shift opened a can of worms and created challenges, both good and bad, behind every corner. Due to the change of scene, I am now dealing with the everyday acceptance of the greater world around me: the town, the people and my new life.