One of the reasons for my dislike of high school is that I, like almost all other students, was required to take classes that were of no interest to me, whatsoever. Sure, there were classes that I partially enjoyed but that enjoyment quickly evaporated after a short while. At the time, I really wished I had the opportunity to “pick and choose” classes that I wanted to take. I thought it would all change when I started college. In ways it has. I am now able to choose classes I am most interested in, but I am also required to take elective and other classes that are unrelated to my major. Though, now, I am not so against it. I have actually enjoyed taking unrelated classes. This is because I have learned that there are, in fact, multiple benefits of taking classes outside of a major. Required classes are beneficial because they allow a student to discover unknown interests, gain a wider area of knowledge and expertise, as well as it gives that student the ability to use an area of knowledge from one area to aid in another.
One benefit of being “forced” to take classes outside of a major is students may discover more or even better interests. The student could discover new aspects about himself or herself, such as interests, that were previously unknown. The required classes can spark unintentional fascination. In turn, that very fascination could result in a change of major more suitable for that student. The occurrence of students charging their majors is a primary example of this happening. Many students go into college believing they are interested in one particular field or subject. Not long after, they decide they are more comfortable and enjoy more to do something completely different. They change their major into something...
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...d workers and the like. Without the help of mathematical skills to build the objects they would not be properly prepared enough to create their specific art pieces.
Taking seemingly unrelated classes present great opportunities to learn and surpass what ever limits, goals, or expectations of education a person sets for himself. Taking these classes lead to a better understanding and outlook of different ideas, ways of thinking as well as situations in the work field and in life. Being required to participate in courses outside of one's major can really develop a person and help them better understand themselves and the world around them. Taking extra classes in college would inevitably help an individual in the future regardless if he or she believes it is of no advantage at the moment. It can also increase employment opportunities once a student finishes college.
However, extra academic courses helped expand my knowledge in these areas. I was able to take Phycology and Sociology, in High school. The study of why people do what they do really intrigued me because I was nothing like my siblings. Phycology and Sociology expanded my vocabulary and literacies. I looked at history from a different perspective, which interested me. It also introduced me to humanities courses. I pretty much skated by in my English classes. The books we read, I had no interest in, and I did not feel like I was getting anything out of my classes. This was until my senior year. My English teacher taught us how to read. I do not mean the words, but the content. Different methods of active reading, and note taking helped me have a deeper understanding of the content I was reading. The shift in instruction which was historically influenced helped me progress in my literacies (Panther, 2015, presentation). I could relate to the novels we were reading. For the first time in my education, I was reading novels that made me want to keep reading. After this, I began reading for myself, rather than
Why do college students need courses in the liberal arts? Is it beneficial or just a waste of time? Will it make them or influence them to become better workers once they graduate or will it just go down the drain and be useless? Student loans are increasing every year, and each student just wants to finish their degrees at a lesser price and a quicker pace, so they can start working and pay for those debts. In today’s society where some to most students are very much career – driven, they decide to specialize early on their degrees which means taking all the classes that are required in their respective majors. Students are only required to take minimal courses or subjects in the liberal arts such as humanities, philosophy, communication, etc. Also, students are more keen to focus on what they think or believe can offer high salary base pays professions especially in this current state of our economy. Even though students specialize early in the degree that they have chosen has its advantages, college students would benefit more if they are required to take core classes in the liberal arts to develop not only a well – rounded education but also prepare them for the real world. By taking subjects in the liberal arts along with their field of specialty, students will develop strong critical thinking skills that will be beneficial in problem solving once they have a job. They will also have competent oral and written communication skills that are necessary in any organization, and their creativity and innovation will be enhanced.
Firstly, not all classes need to be tailored to the student’s chosen career. Just because he or she is not going to go into business or chemistry or whatever the class in question may be does not mean that it could not benefit them to investigate as many subjects as possible. Kirn naively argues that seniors try “to earn a grade they don’t need” as they endure through their final high school year. This is incorrect. College freshmen are notorious for changing their major, and though I cannot say for sure how often young adults change career, I do know that their desired career is not guaranteed. Therefore, continuing to explore while in the late teen years could help later i...
I have often wondered what it would be like to experience the freedom of choosing my own class schedule. This has to be infinitely more stimulating and enjoyable. I am also aware that college will be significantly more challenging, but I have always found it easier to study for a class that interests me. I am willing to accept the fact that as long as I am in school, there will be required courses which may not engender excitement or enthusiasm; however, success should not be as difficult to achieve due to the maturity that is developing during this last year of high school. In addition, I have gained an understanding of the benefit of being well rounded. There is value in all classes taken. It helps to know that even my least favorite subject will contribute to the ultimate goal of personal and career development.
Secondly, college is where a person goes to discover him/herself. This is one of the many goals of the college system, and that discovery process is hindered by unneeded, mandatory classes. Students should be able to try many different classes to discover what interests them the most, not to be fed knowledge that they very well might know already (and is perhaps of no interest to them). If required courses were eliminated, it would free up much time that students could then use to pursue their own interests. College exists to help people become unique individuals, not to put every person into the same standard mold.
A college education gives a person the opportunity to be successful in life, either financially or morally dependent on the goals that they set for their life. They will choose a college that offers programs for the major of their choice, where they will specialize and receive a degree. The decision to pursue a higher education will give the opportunity to earn a better income than someone who does not have a degree. College is more of a life preparation course that will help make sure a successful career. If a person pursues a career in engineering, physics or mathematics their curriculum would include more liberal art preparation courses, in order for them to earn their degree, so someone pursuing a degree in these types of careers should attend college for job preparation.
General education classes are focused on expanding the intellectual horizon of students. Many of the classes for general education don’t have anything to do with specific career choices but are required regardless. While this seems to be nice and good on the surface, it has problems. If colleges only cared about letting students expand their horizons instead of helping people graduate in a timely manner, there would be many more “college surfers”. Those people go to college aimlessly in order to pass the time. They do not have a definite goal and are not able to get a degree in order to graduate and contribute as a member of society. This would mean that taxpayers are wasting millions of dollars for nothing. Although it is important to keep learning as you grow older, there also needs to be a bigger purpose to life than just class cruising. Also, as stated before, if college was for everyone to learn and grow and there wasn’t a focus on grades then the college degree would have no
In conclusion, college is a huge milestone in a person 's life. What they do with their time and money during those years can be crucial to what they get out of it. General education classes should not be a requirement because they have already been taught a majority of the curriculum in high school, some of the classes can have nothing to do with your major, and it can be a waste of money by spending it on classes that they are not interested in. By making it a requirement to take general classes, you are taking away time that they could be devoting to their interests and major. College should be a time where you focus on learning what you are gonna do for the rest of your life, not trying to learn every possible subject that a school can offer.
The purpose of a liberal education is to provide exposure to multiple topics. This general education is commonly referred to as “the core curriculum” because all students no matter their intended major are required to complete the courses in order to graduate. Having course requirements is especially beneficial to an undecided major. It creates an opportunity for the student to get a taste of many different concentrations and decide in which department he or she may excel. General education courses are influential to students that have an intended major. An article by MSNBC reported that approximately half of all college students change their major after entering college. A required class may develop one’s interest in pursing a career...
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.
Schools currently have a required curriculum, that limits a student's personal choice, by forcing him or her to take classes that are not suited to their aspirations. Typically, the standard material for most schools consists of mainly the "core" classes, like English, math, and science. Yes, it is essential to know and understand these classes to a standard level, however, these so-called "standards" have become more pressing by the year. In order to grad...
One of the most important decisions an undergraduate will make will be deciding what they will major in. This academic and life choice will ultimately decide how an individual will view their college experience and help guide them with their future career choices. Choosing the wrong major can be too stressful and overwhelming for a student with more course work than expected. On the other side of the spectrum, the wrong choice in a major will not challenge the individual to bring out their full potential. “Ideally, a major will leave a student academically successful, as well as fulfill academic, personal, and vocational goals “(“The Pennsylvania State University Division of Undergraduate Studies,” n.d.). For most college students choosing a major is a difficult decision, especially when they are not mentally and rationally matured. When choosing a major it is implied that most people are logical and rational, and that they weigh the pros and
Students know what they are good at, so they should be given an opportunity to do what they are good. This can only be done by allowing them to choose courses they are good at, and are interested in. Essentially, it is vital that college students should be allowed to choose their courses because; only they know what they are interested in and what they need. Majority of students pay more attention to the subjects they are interested in and this is the reason why, when joining college, they will want to pursue a course in the subjects.
Some if not most freshmen in college don’t really know what to specialize in order to get a degree. As a result, they’re just taking subject without really knowing if it will help them finish a requirement to enter a specific degree, prolonging their time spending in college and putting themselves at high risk of dropping out of college totally.
There are some benefit if students can choose their own courses during college. The students that choose their preferred class will be more focus during the class. The connection that created during study session will be stronger so the students will more willingly to study and earn better grades. Another reason is because the different style of teacher in teaching. Every teacher has their unique way of teachings, and every students also have different preferred style of teaching. By giving a chance to students to pick their teacher that match their method of learning, students will feel more comfortable and this psychological factor will affect them to get better result in that class. In spite of the fact that this really useful for students, the good mark doesn’t represent a good skills for the people. There are some class that useful to train the skills of some people....