The Importance Of Open And Independent Learning

In the article "Why Focusing Too Narrowly in College Could Backfire," writer Peter Cappelli argues that while specializing in post-secondary school is beneficial and could possibly lead to a future career that is currently trending, parents and students should look into broadening their skills by taking courses that widen their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This may enable them to work where there are prevailing industries.

After high school, many students make the decision on attending college based off of the things their parents/ teachers may have taught them when they were young. For example, many students further their education because throughout their lifetime they’re told they have to. In school we’re taught that in order for us to receive good jobs, and make a decent amount of money we have to have a college degree. Some are even taught that they must go beyond the undergrad and receive their masters, and doctorate degrees if they really want to be known as something in this world. While others go because it would make their parents proud, or to fulfill the legacy of being a first generation college student in their families. While this may be the case majority of the time, if you’re like me you go because

About a generation ago getting a college education was born out of the pursuit of knowledge, but now it has become a competition for students to get into the most accredited University right after they are handed their high school diploma. College tuition has become so expensive in the last ten years that people are now debating whether or not college it is worth pursuing right out of high school. A college education is what the student makes out of it, and if they 're only going to get a degree it is important to know that a college education does not guarantee a job and stable future. The majority of young adults at the end of high school don 't even know what career they want to pursue because of the restricting high school curriculum, so to remedy this people should consider community college or taking a gap year. Whether or not to get a college education depends on what the person wants to do. Four year college should not be the default after finishing high school in America.

By not specializing in a specific field taking general education classes it allows students to see the different potential career fields. For example, Heidelberg University is a liberal arts school and allows

A big concern in todays’ world for graduating college students is being able to find a job right out of school. More times than not, there are many problems that occur when a student chooses a specific career path. In the short exert “Why Focusing Too Narrowly In College Could Backfire”, written by Peter Cappelli, he discusses in his opinion, as well as many others, the right path students should be taking. The lead way students should be following to secure they get a job in a field they will enjoy. Many students have trouble picking a college to go to let alone what major they want to focus on. Students are told to pick a major and start taking the classes for it as soon as possible without realizing they might not even enjoy that field of work. There are many struggles in college with picking the correct classes and

High school encourages students to stay on task and focus on their future. However, there are some students who simply just don’t care about their education and therefore aren’t prepared for college (Leonhardt). College isn't meant for everyone, but there are always substitutes such as community college. Students are able to take their time and “will have the opportunity to explore interests that [they] might not have otherwise pursued” (“The Pros and Cons Of Community Colleges”). High school graduates are able to get back on track and start thinking about passing their classes instead of slacking off in community college.

After someone completes high school, their first step is figuring out what kind of career they want to pursue. Most careers require a college degree just to apply. At this point, they should decide what their major is going to be and see what college is best for them to attend. Every college requires “general education” classes that the students must pass to graduate. Taking these extra mandatory classes is just time lost that college students will never get back.  General ed classes are also a waste of money, as many students acquire major debt from trying to pay for these required classes. If students were able to only take courses that help them in completing their major, more students would actually finish the classes and get their degree instead of dropping out. Universities should not necessitate students to take these general education courses that have nothing to do with the their major.

However, some, such as Gerald Graff, argue that colleges and schools are missing opportunities when nonacademic interests of the students are not taken into the classroom. For example, he claims that his schooling was unable to foster his interest in sports or other “nonacademic” interests. However, I would claim that this is false considering there are majors that can foster one’s interest in sports such as sports journalism, sports broadcasting, and exercise science. In fact, I would argue that college allows one to follow their dreams. For example, I met a counselor who was originally was a plumber for thirty years of his life. When I asked why he changed careers he responded with, “I had full support from my family to go back to school, and ultimately I wanted to do something more fulfilling with my life. And now I am doing what I have always liked to do that is talking to people” To make this change he had to first earn his bachelor’s degree and then his masters thus accumulating debt. In addition, he had to take wage cut of 50,000 dollars a year. Despite this he had absolutely no regrets with the decision he made.

Alyssa Pracz, a journalist at Northern Star, makes the point that “[p]rofessors, however, tend to teach the material as if everyone taking the class is planning on majoring in the subject” when, in reality, students just see the class as another general education course. Additionally, students struggle in some of the subjects which have nothing to do with their particular majors. Pracz also states, “As a result, many students' grades suffer, sometimes to the point of lowering their grade point averages so much that they are unable to get into the major they planned on pursuing”. Ultimately, if a student has a huge passion and dream for his life, and cannot pass a certain general education course then his whole future is foiled. General education classes are redundant and do not aid the student whatsoever in cultivating skills required for his future job. Colleges and universities think general education courses are helping students when they actually are hurting them.

There are many types of jobs. Some require education and others require skills. At their meetings, the school board is discussing whether or not students should be allowed to chose if they can take College Preparatory classes or Career Technical Education courses, eliminating General Education. I believe students should have the choice to pick their own classes depending on what career they want.

"Students... need to recognize that their college education is above all a matter of opening themselves up to new dimensions of knowledge and understanding"- (Gary Gutting 'What Is College for?') Choosing to attend college is not for the faint of heart. Whether you're a traditional or non-traditional student the most daunting thought one has,

Second, choosing their own courses makes it possible for students to learn deeper and become more professional in their field. Now there is a hot word called general

In the first place, students could spend more time on the subjects they need according to their major, than to spend time on other disciplines, which is just common education. In this point, students will be more picky and careful about the classes

As author Megan Whalen Turner said “you learn something new everyday,” but how many times can you say that you taught yourself how to do something? Not that many, right. Teaching yourself a task is not as easy as it may seem because you are not an expert on the topic yet and you constantly have outside influences on your learning. You are influenced by teachers, parents, television and books. So do you ever really learn anything by yourself? I believe that you don’t truly learn anything by yourself, but you perfect the ideas that influenced your own. I perfected twice baked potatoes to be my own. One Christmas my grandmother asked me to help her make twice baked potatoes, she explained the instructions and then proceeded to work on another

I believe that a student should be able to choose some of the classes that he/she is interested in. This is the basis of the existentialist philosophy that was developed in the nineteenth century. A student should be allowed to choose classes that they are interested in other than the classes that are required by the school curriculum. Even though