What is the real reason for college? Some argue that it is just to gain a higher education, but is that really all college is for? Personally, I think that gaining a higher education after high school is a good idea, but I don’t believe that that is all college is for.
In all of my classes this question has appeared in some shape or form. In every class the answer is the same: to learn new things to help us in life when we leave school. One of my professors, Anthony Smith, said that “the things we learn in college are things that can go into our toolbox. To learn how to critically think, analyze, do our own research and more are some of those tools.” He also said to look at classes as a “want, over a checkmark that needs to be taken.” When Professor Smith stated these ideas, it opened my mind on why I really was going to college and made me want to strive to do better.
In a lesson by the same professor, the students learned of different skills or qualities that employers look for in an employee. Most of the skills included problem solving, the ability to process information, ability to analyze information, communication skills, adaptability, resilience, self motivation and organization. All of these skills and qualities can be taught in college.
Say you attend college and get a degree in computer science, but once you graduate you get a job in accounting. It may seem that the money and time spent on getting the computer science degree was a waste, but it isn’t. The skills you learned in that degree, like being able to analyze information or problem solve, can still be used in accounting. In today’s time employers like to see a degree, but they seem to care more about the little things like mentioned above that you learn in almost every class. Having skills like these shows that you have a wide variety of a skill set and can do things outside of your degree. You gained many tools to add to your toolbox.
College is the place where many young adults learn to be adults. It’s the first time many of us are on our own, away from the shelter our parents or guardians have been giving us. Here at college, young adults find who they are or who they want to be, meeting new people, going to dances or parties but all still going to school and getting a higher education. No one is telling you what to do or when to do it. College students have to figure out what is the most important thing to them and then do that. It’s a new learning experience and one that must be done alone.
So what is the reason college? The answer is simple: to find who you are or who you will become. Learn as much as you can because time goes by fast, and don’t forget the real reason for your college education.
– by Ari Hurdsman
Feature image caption: For many of us, college gives us the tools to become successful adults. It gives young adults the chance to find out who they are and who they want to become. Courtesy of Abbie Call.
Ari Hurdsman – Junction
Ari Hurdsman is a junior journalist at the Byway. She just recently moved to Ephraim, Utah, where she is a freshman at Snow College. She enjoys writing about Piute sports, and she’s really good at it! In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and hanging out with friends and family.