go to a real college

....because I don’t think going to a real college should be the theme that stands out. I think the goal should read, ‘going back to college’, because that’s what I”M GOING TO DO.

Because Stone Cold said so!!! 5 years ago

College is what you make of it. If you are going to a substandard school, write your own rubric for success. Study harder. Do more than what is expected of you. Agree to underpromise-hand in what is expected of you-but then choose to overproduce on your own. Make your home reflect an academic and culturally refined lifestyle—then let your school journey support you in developing yourself and yours.

For me, I thought community college was not “real college”. Real college was getting into a big school. I chose a public school over private university and made sure it had an excellent reputation. Then, I did what I had to do to qualify as a state resident and have worked through school. Grants are available, and student loans accessible (though it may take the bulk remainder of my life to pay the debts off, it has been wholy worth it). FAFSA has been my only true friend.

Take responsibility for your own education. Wander around your local college book store around the start of each semester, for instance. Class reading lists are posted; see what you are missing “from the teacher”, write a list, and put forth the extra effort to go to the library for the same material. Do your own research by utilizing reputable source sites. Look for ”.edu” at the end of scholarly googles and find out the types of materials discussion that exist on any given subject.

Keeping your goal of education above any designer college label is what is most important. Clearly, some colleges are better than others and many schools pale in the extreme when compares to the big league schools. Consequently, one degree may not necessarily compare in educational value. What matters is that you take responsibility for yourself and your own learning at that point and do whatever it takes to move yourself forward.

I liked community college. I liked my bigger school. I want to go on to complete more levels of college not because I don’t think I can wade through the materials on my own but because I enjoy the academic commeraderie; I like the debates, being challenged in my thinking, and learning guided in a Socratic method. There is also something to be said for giving geeks a place to unite; the wildest place of all is always found with the nerds united on the philosophers’ porch.

We are preparing our kids for college now, but I will assume that they each will choose their own path. One will go for the love of learning. One will go to get a diploma just so they can make more money. One will go to technical school. The rest of the family youth? Who knows. I’m sticking most closely by the one with the love of learning; he is already reading college schedules and picking out the classes we can attend together. An odd bunch: when we get together we like learning for the sake of fun.

No one paid for my education and I still managed to live. As such, I learned long ago not to depend on anyone but myself when it comes to fortune—people can be fickle and fair is relative only from perspective. Bottom line, however, is that life happens and if you are tenacious enough to persue what you want, you can move mountains when you have to in order to get to the places your soul most needs to go.

I don’t expect to be able to fully pay our kids tuitions—but I do expect to help nurture them and support them through the college experience. Full ride tuitions are usually underappreciated anyhow, though the students whose parents pop for the full ride usually throw the most constant and best parties in their apartments or dorms. Again, life is based on choices and perspective. You can appreciate the ride or find the will and your own way.

Real college, in addition, in my humble opinion, probally occurs during the time you are studying outside of school anyways. It is all about what motivates you. Real college is not always about “the” school. It was my mistake to feel inferior for attending community college first, and for not assuming responsibility for my own lifestyle with regard to learning. One of the best decisions I ever made was making the decision to go.

Kindred souls do well together. Learning together in a community where your thoughts and opinions are valued, treasured, tweaked, and reformed is what academia is all about. Seek out those who live, learn, and love like you do and you will fill your life with all the good things the world has ever known. Educate yourself responsibly, especially when you are alone. 5 years ago

I was never really given the option to go anywhere ,but,county college. My parents weren’t lining up to help me out with any costs or even fill out the aid papers. So, here i am ,in county college; hating it. I say “real” college b/c what im doing right now is wasting my time and money , taking classes that don’t mean anything towards what i want to do. If i were in a real school i could take what i wanted. 5 years ago