Well, hello there.
My last post was in October, and I'm just as upset as you are. Granted, I'm sure most people forgot about my blogging, but I've literally been yelled at by a couple to start writing again. So here I am.
I'm sitting in class right now, and I'm not alone when I say I could've just stayed home and done the exact same thing: cruise Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, etc. We, or our parents, are paying all this money for us to waste our time. But, is it really a waste of time, or is it a waste of efforts?
Here's when the parent figures go, "Yeah, a waste of your efforts. You should be paying attention."But here's when I argue back that it's not our faults.
Schools try so hard to make a well-rounded education for everyone. Why? Why do I need to take a statistics class one year, then have to retake it this year just because the credits don't transfer? Why do I have to know about American Existentialism when most (if not all) of those "historical facts" are nothing but records of biased perspectives? It feels like our schools are almost making us too well-rounded. We need boundaries, should be studying our majors with more restricted guidelines that actually pertain to our majors. It shouldn't just be the juniors and seniors that get those opportunities. But, schools need money--and they make it by manipulating transfer students into taking repeated classes, or by adding in filler "LER's" or "basic classes" to up the credit costs. They're aiming to better our education, right? They're only looking out for the students...
...or is it all a scam?
When people like Snooki become New York Times bestselling authors, and TV shows are being created about "Extreme Couponing," we need take a step back and wonder, seriously, where is our education really getting us? What's the point anymore?
I think we're all driven by fear. We fear that if we don't get that degree, we're sure to fail or end up working at Applebee's until our middle age crises. Does Snooki have a degree? Did Adam Richman, the one-man circus of Man vs. Food, use his college degree (if he has one) to get that show? Or is it all based on timing, personality, marketing, and entertainment? Well, here's a newsflash: Whether or not you have a degree, in these days, you'll probably still end up working at your neighborhood Applebee's. How does that feel?
I mean, get real guys, I'm not saying I'd rather go degree-less than make the Dean's list. I've always been an overachiever in school, but that's kind of why I'm most upset by the educational system's bullshit. Why should I have to try so hard? I'd rather just move out west and work on my writing, because that's what I'll get noticed for. Not knowing about stats and American fucking Existentialism.
I vote we don't be afraid anymore. It's a big wish to ask for, but try to go after what you love and what makes you excited, not whatever your degree "says" you can do. I'm not saying education isn't important, but I don't think it's the "be all end all" anymore.
Think about how fast things are changing in the world right now, then think about this: Use your time to work towards what you love, with only part of your attention on the textbook facts. Do what you have to do to get that degree, since you're here already, but don't get married to it. The world now is a place of more uncertainty than ever--live your life as you want it for as long as you can.
Question authority.
Break patterns.
Smile.
And things will work out just fine.
Good to be back,
S
