Many college students complain that general education courses are a waste of time and money, however various complications would ensue if general education courses were eliminated. The abolition of general education, would displace several components of college that benefit millions of students. For instance, the countless college students who undecided on a major, or students who switch their major during college. Furthermore, most majors require prerequisite knowledge of basic concepts in either Math, Science, English, and the Social Sciences. Simply skipping several semesters worth of a well balanced education would be a disastrous course of action, with various implications for college students, and community college as a whole. …show more content…
The omission of general education requirements in college would many students unprepared for their major coursework. For instance, a student pursuing a career in the medical field would ill afford to skip science courses, while aspiring Engineers need to master various mathematical concepts through math courses. Furthermore, students in various disciplines would be at a disadvantage from missing out on crucial information gained in general education courses. Ultimately, General education gives students a well balanced education, developing student’s overall understanding of the world around …show more content…
Skipping general education requirements in college may leave many students unprepared for their major coursework. For instance, a student pursuing a career in the medical field would ill afford to skip science requirements, while aspiring Engineers need to enroll in Math courses to master various mathematical concepts. Furthermore, students in various disciplines would be at a disadvantage from missing out on crucial information gained in general education courses. Ultimately, general education courses provide students with a well balanced education, developing a student 's preparation for various
Jimenez, T. C., Graf, V. L., & Rose, E. (2007). Gaining access to general education: The
As the former president of Harvard University, Derek Bok wrote “The most obvious purpose of college education is to help students acquire information and knowledge by acquainting them with facts, theories, generalizations, principles, and the like. This purpose scarcely requires justification.” America needs educated citizens to help maintain the level of intelligence we have in society. Students need to be taught to their specific career and the knowledge needed in that career. Though education students are strengthened for their futures as good citizens. College is a more specialized form of the education they have received throughout their entire schooling and will need for their careers. College prepares students for the future by specializing
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 offer 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 over someone who does not have a degree. College is more of 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 are attending college for job preparation. On December 10, 2009 at Hamilton University in Clinton, New York, college professors debated current college curriculum (Liew). They talked about how their college could make a leap from being good to being great. At the 22nd American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges conference held in Long Beach California on November 14, 1996 the topic of changing curriculum was discussed (“Mich”). The University of Louisiana, Lafayette, is eliminating its philosophy major, while Michigan State University is doing away with American studies and classics, after years of decline in enrollments in those majors (Zernike). The purpose of a college education is to meet the student's liberal art’s needs so that they can compete and understand the connection between a degree and a job that will enable them to compete with other world economies, give them a well-rounded education that will enable them to earn a higher income, and retain a lifetime full of knowledge.
As the numbers of college graduates employment have increased for each years, many people have being debating that whether everyone should have college education and whether college education still worth it for everyone. Some people found that they did not gain the benefits that they wish from college education, and some people found that they still could not find the job they desire after they spent all the money they have on college education and being in heavy debts. Therefore, people started to believe that colleges are not designed for everyone, and force oneself to attend colleges could lead to negative outcomes. Consequently, people who cannot afford to attend colleges, who do not have adequate academic skills to be successful in colleges,
American’s education system has been entering crisis mode for a long time. Throughout the past few years, the overwhelming question “Is college needed or worth it?” While it is an opinion, there are facts that back up each answer. Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” mentions that the enlightened must help the unenlightened and further their knowledge. The problem with America today is that high school students are given the option of college and that makes for less enlightened people. While it is possible to learn in the work force or Army, college is a better option. Mary Daly wrote the article “Is It Still Worth Going to College?” which talks about the statistical value of attending. Michelle Adam wrote the article “Is College Worth It?” which mentions the struggle young people are going through to even get into college. Caroline Bird wrote the chapter “Where College Fails Us” in her book The Case Against College where she
Instead, they have to take classes that have close to nothing to do with their major, but are only taking these classes to fulfill the general educational requirements. I believe that taking these classes could potentially hurt a student’s cumulative GPA if getting a low grade. Taking these classes are not just a waste of time, but it is time wasted that could have been used towards major classes. Upon graduation, some feel that they are at a disadvantage because more time could have spent on learning more within their field of study instead of time spent on irrelevant
Many students struggle with college for various reasons, whether it is financial, academics, or personal. We may not fully understand why college students struggle the way they do; however, it does not mean help is unavailable. “Clearly, many of the benefits that accrue from a college education are explained by the knowledge, skills, and contacts that students gain from their time on campus and in the classroom (Brock 2)”. A certain degree of success in life can be related to the amount and quality of education which can also relate to income.
In Society today it seems that the need for a college education is at a higher demand. Years ago a majority of the population was considered lucky to receive a high school degree. With the way jobs are today it can seem almost impossible to get a job without some type of training or college education. Today more than 20 million people are enrolled in college. This paper is going to explain how a college education is greater than a high school education or a general education development (G.E.D.) in many ways. A college degree is far more superior to a high school education; a college degree will earn more money, ensure job security, and broaden one’s knowledge.
According to the NCES, nationwide, thirty to sixty percent of college freshmen require remedial courses in order to meet college admission requirements (2004). In Texas, 38 percent of Texas students enrolled in two-year colleges and technical schools and 24 percent of students at four-year public institutions took remedial courses during the 2006 academic year (Terry 2007). Twenty-eight percent of colleges in the United States report that students spend at least one year in remedial programs making it impossible to earn a degree in 2 or 4 years (NCES, 2003). These students have graduated from high school unprepared for participation in college courses. Unprepared student face both academic and financial barriers. Not preparing students for coursework and careers after high school is expensive. Remedial education courses are estimated to cost student one billion dollars annually. In addition, according to the ACT, despite participating in remedial classes, students who require remedial classes are significantly less likely to graduate from college (2005).
Current statistics and trends in American curriculum need examination. Since 1983, over twenty million American seniors graduated unable to do fundamental math. Also, over ten million did not learn to read at essential levels (1). Students graduate without rudimentary information about history, literature, art, and the philosophical foundations of their nation and civilization (Bennet 2).
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.
To me college education is a major need to. College curriculums need to a balance of many styles of learning to best fit a wide range of student needs. I say college is great as well as being not for everyone.
The importance of not failing before reaching the further educational standards that a student needs is great. Although some skills come by experience, preparation is the key to succeeding in college. Mallinson stated individuals that took a course with her “had a few qualifications and some had dropped out of school or been excluded (36)." She further express...
College for an incoming freshman is exciting, however, it is often focused on the social aspect such as the connections that can be attained through Greek life, parties and independence. Due to the social interactions, freshmen tend to drop out of college after their first year. Focusing on what college is meant for can prevent these situations. The pressures of college such as impressing parents, and maintain a high standard GPA-wise can lead to stress and freeze a student from achieving the proper academic performance. During the mid 1900s, college was considered more of a luxury than anything; people would attend college exclusively to acquire knowledge in hopes of obtaining a career after graduation. People in the twenty-first century, however, attend college to get away from home and enjoy freedom at parties. Education is taken lightly, and those who feel that education isn’t the main focus of college should not apply for sakes of the greater good.
Education plays a vital role in shaping tomorrows’ leaders. Not only can we become a better nation by acquiring the skills necessary to be productive members of a civilized society. Increase knowledge to actively achieve and meet challenges that can produce changes in which are productive for attaining business innovations, political and economic objectives.