College a Scam?

That’s what I got when I typed “college” into my Google search bar. That was the suggested term.

That’s sad.

As for me, I’m loving my second college experience. I’m starting gently. I’d be a fool to start any other way, after what happened last time. I’m taking Spanish because it’s absolutely necessary and I don’t know how I’ve made it through ten years of my job without it. I’m also taking a course called “Becoming a Master Student.”

One of our first assignments was to discuss what we value about higher education. I posted this.

To me, higher education means “more” and that’s what I’ve always wanted. I want to know more. I want to understand more. I want to see the big picture, and the details too. I certainly wouldn’t mind if my college experience leads me to a more challenging, exciting (not to mention lucrative) career, but that isn’t the “more” I’m seeking.

A classmate posted something very similar to this.

The value of higher education is looking good on a resume.

Oh honey. I think someone’s been reading badly-thought-out “college is a scam” articles. To respond in Tumblr fashion–

I don’t care what you’re paying for your education. If all you get is bragging rights, you’re throwing your money away. If all you want is a pretty piece of paper, diplomas are available on the internet. Hell, I could print a nice fancy one in five minutes and most of that time would be picking the fonts.

And I’ll do it for fifty bucks. Come on, that’s a bargain, right?

But if you want to study the stuff you couldn’t get to in high school, if you want to learn (at least at my college) from people who are actually out there using what they teach you…well, then. College, my friend. College.

Choose wisely. Then make the damn best of it! You get out what you put in. It takes more than just showing up.

Now back to the homework. 🙂