I’m starting the Spring semester on Monday (January 25th, 2010) which will be my last (yay!); for the thousands, or millions of freshmen that would be getting into college this semester, I found it worthwhile to deal with some of the facts that would be faced in college; or – no! Not actually facts, though been sold as facts, I would instead prefer to deal as a “mirage.”
In line with my criticism of school’s dogma, I have proposed my own suggestion on the way a freshman would prefer to approach school and stay clear out of the ordinary or perhaps the grade obsessed scholars. In acknowledgment –the sooner – the better. For a freshman who quickly realizes, all those long essays or tedious assignment are only an attempt at conformity, the better one can quickly realize how to step out of the box.
It doesn’t matter if you can calculate 1002 X 1200 in one nanoseconds or you’re quite gifted at writing a novel better than John Grisham (if you can, you probably shouldn’t be in school anyways); the fact is school wouldn’t probably prepare you for the real would of challenges and unforeseen circumstances (unlike school where you are programmed to always have the right answer otherwise…)
In college (or most schooling system in fact), you’re either right or wrong, you cannot be in between. And as much as we have learned so far in life, this is often wrong. If as a freshman, you program you mind to always think in terms of right or wrong, pass or fail, yes or no; you’d probably be left to remain in the realms of “school walls” where you come to realize that if it’s not A then it’s B. This mind-set leaves one narrow-minded, closed-minded and un-inventive. To be creative and most importantly successful, you cannot confine one to multiple choices of exams or the A’s gotten as a measure of achievements – Dealing with the challenges of the real world isn’t synonymous to having a GPA of 4.0/4.0
As we realize…
We get to study Calculus, take Art classes, or maybe some other writing requirement, how about a requirement in Effective Human Relations? You could go through college and be the best and the greatest academically – GPA all intact and at its peak and you lack the ability to relate well with beings, to use good judgments in resolving human conflicts or just the ability to get the best out of people and everyone. No wonder colleges don’t teach us this – It’s hard work! For many who have planned to go through college and get as many “A’s” as possible, avoid college clubs or in-fact making friends in classes, with the mindset that this would only distract them from attaining their perfect grades – bad news: man isn’t an island. Gaining this skill before leaving college is invaluable since, this is the phase where one has the free time and opportunity to without the risks of excessive sacrifices.
For this, I would say: Make as much friend as possible, be socially active on campus, reduce the excessive obsession with having a perfect grade – you never know where those little friendship made in college would reward you in the closest future. On Academics Despite my criticism, it’s a good thing to have excellent grades, good education and a solid head above once shoulder. One shouldn’t forget: despite college’s short-comings in terms real education, the single purpose we are paying them thousands of dollars is to get a good degree. If that cannot be achieved, that’s money awfully spent!
Get as much as you can from college, for its professors, its resources, etc. And most of all, keep your real world learning (as explained before) in sync with the learning within the wall. Being Conclusive Adapt the culture of the real world; internalize its theories, live its ways and you might be giving your success after college an early start. College wants the right answer; you expect the real answer (not condensed as right or wrong) College wants specific, clear, and narrowed thinking; you, in contrary are creative, the score on a test doesn’t determine your innate ability. College intends to produce structured and specific graduates; you wouldn’t think that’s enough for you: You prefer to be balanced, renaissance, rounded, flexible, and real-world conscious. For this, we have a real College graduate.
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