I was brought up believing that the world consisted of two groups: people with degrees and people without degrees. I went through life thinking that the people with degrees ran the big businesses and drove fancy cars, and that the people without degrees worked at McDonald’s (unless they got lucky and invented Apple computers or Google instead). I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I was brought up to believe that having a college degree meant you’d succeed in this world.

The only problem? No one told me- or ANY of us- that the economy would crash and that our government would be trillions of dollars in debt. The jobs that were open and ready to hire five years ago are gone now and thousands of people are getting laid off every day. The promise of a bright future and dream career have become more of a fairytale than a guarantee. When graduation day comes, will any of us really have those advantages and benefits that we were always told would set us apart from everyone else?

It doesn’t seem that way, and now even the people at the top are starting to wonder if our higher education system is working, or worth anything, anymore.

Nancy Zimpher of the State University of New York says that “we should be worried” and that the college system “needs to evolve.” Aside from rising tuition costs, college presidents are also very concerned with the increased competition in the industrial world. With so many young people opting for a higher education, it’s becoming harder and harder to an individual to stand out and get hired.

So, if it’s gotten to the point where even college presidents are concerned with the college system and the graduates in the next few years, where does that leave people like me: hardworking college students who have agreed to the debt in hopes of making something of ourselves? If we drop out, we’ll have to assume the stereotypical “college dropout” role society gives us and end up with nothing, but if we stay, we might still end up with nothing.

What should we do now?

When I made the big decision to go to college and not travel around Europe for a year,  it was because I enjoy being taught in a classroom. I’ve enjoyed being taught psychology and the different techniques of advertising. World history…erm… not so much, but I try in every class I take because I’m paying to get this education. And you better believe I want one heck of an education when I cross that stage in May.

So you must imagine how surprised I was to learn that, according to a recent study, “45% of Students Don’t Learn Much in College.”

Hold the phone, people. And by that I mean this is all 100% crap. And I’m getting angry enough to throw some. (Seriously, read that article and join me….)

First of all, who on earth were polled and interviewed for this 4-year study? Who is the student who claimed he could get by using Wikipedia and “pass anything”? Maybe that’s what it’s like in the ho-hum classes he chose to take (most likely based on “Easy A” reviews by older students on RateMyProfessor.com), but at my school you would be laughed out of the classroom if you used Wikipedia as a direct source for anything. And it’s not like BSU is some top notch, Ivy League institution.

But that’s not even what’s making my blood boil. No, that’s reserved for the barometer by which they’re measuring “academic progress.” And what is that? Whether or not students have done 20 pages worth of writing in their college classes. Yes, apparently all academic success comes down to how many pages someone can write, and being able to fill 20 pages (with a bit of research and a lot of filler) is definitely necessary for all future career success. And apparently, students aren’t doing that enough.

So….we’re screwed? Well, that’s what they’ll have you believe.

But you know what’s not mentioned in this study? What’s not being considered when measuring what students are gaining from their college educations? The other stuff. The real stuff. The life stuff.

- The time management skills when we’re balancing classes, all that class work, work and other activities.
- The research skills, which are imperative for entry-level positions and beyond.
- The problem solving, from our experiences with friends and roommates to actual problem sets in classes.
- The critical thinking skills we employ when we’re sifting through large writing assignments or building presentations.
- The survival skills.

There is more to college than what we learn in the classroom and there is definitely more than writing 20-page papers for class. Just because someone’s not doing that doesn’t mean they’re not learning. I think sometimes people (namely those that aren’t in college and haven’t been for many years) forget that while in college you are not only learning the quantative equation for rubber but you’re also gaining even more important skills that are invaluable when graduation (sadly) comes.

I’m not an expert on measuring learning, no doubt, but I have a feeling either is the person behind this study. I mean, I’m sure this guy wrote some stellar 20-page papers and look at the bullsh*t he’s spewing now?

But does all that matter? Does it make a difference?
As our friends at Lemondrop recently asked: does it matter where we went to college?

At first thought, I’m not sure where I stand on this issue. On the one hand, people who attend great schools (i.e. the ones U.S. News World and Report rank highly, or those esteemed Ivy Leagues) are obviously qualified, and the amount of work prestigious schools put into giving their students the best possible education is remarkable. On the other hand, there are so many people at “average” schools who have extraordinary promise in their fields and work just as hard, if not harder, than those who attend an Ivy League institution. Maybe they couldn’t attend a more prestigious school because of financial reasons, or because they didn’t truly learn their potential until college started, or because their test taking skills weren’t the best, leaving them with less than stellar SAT scores.

Yet all of that considered, Ivy Leaguers with those cushy names atop their diplomas certainly have an easier time navigating the “real world.” Hiring managers and grad school admissions counselors are naturally awed by their  education and where they received it, and Harvard grads have a much easier time landing coveted positions than their state school counterparts.

But is this the right way to go about things? Who is ultimately a better candidate – the brilliant student who aced his SATs and went on to attend a top school where he simply coasted, or the girl who struggled to make it into a state school, where she worked hard and learned a lot, earned a good GPA, participated in as many activities as possible, and held a few internships?

Getting accepted at a great school is certainly an accomplishment and should be treated as such, but it definitely isn’t everything.  Ultimately, students should choose the school that they feel will best prepare them for the future, a school that has a solid program in his or her area of interest, a great faculty, and the kind of environment that will encourage hard work, because in the long run, what a student chooses to do after being accepted at his or her school is even more important.   These days, it’s all about defining your most valuable skill and pursuing this.  If you’re great at what you do and feel committed to a certain career path, you have a much greater chance of keeping a job than someone who simply attended a great school but lacks passion and/or talent.

I’m not saying that all Ivy League grads are only good on paper, but I am saying that they are not necessarily more qualified than someone who attended a “lesser” school.  College isn’t like high school – you take what you want to out of your college experience.  I believe that we should focus more on the people who take full advantage of the resources they’ve been offered, the people with raw talent and plenty of drive – even if these people couldn’t make it into the Holy Trinity.

What are your views on this issue?  Does the school you’re at make a difference? Should it? Tell us below.

I think many (myself included) kind of just wind up at college somehow with little thought in advance as to why we’re there in the first place. There’s elementary school, middle school, high school… college is just kind of the next step in the education process. An expectation for some; a requirement for others. The reason why college is so paramount to parents is because they equate four-year degrees with success and large figure salaries to come in the future. But now, a number of economists, academics, and policy analysts are challenging all this. And experts have some pretty convincing evidence as to why two-year or technical training schools could be a better option for some Americans.

The main argument is that there are just too many people going to college in the first place–many who are unqualified. There is also a large amount of overqualified degree-holders in today’s struggling job market. But there are other major issues dealing with the current state of the economy. Before deciding to imprison yourself in one of these four-year institution, there are factors to take into consideration like rising student debt, stagnant graduation rates and, of course, the high unemployment rate among college graduates.

However some (like concerned parents) argue undergraduate schools provide a wider variety of opportunities and eye-opening experiences that help you become a more worldly, well-rounded person than trade schools. I mean, I think we can all agree that a large part of what we learn in college does not happen in the classroom; it is our environment and our experiences – both that are unique to four-year universities – that teach us many of our life lessons. Others also bring the money factor into the equation, such that college graduates may have the chance at obtaining higher salaries.

But do they? With the economy in the dumps and unemployment rates the highest they’ve been in recent history, does a 4-year degree really mean a more successful future? Maybe not.

What do you think? Do you agree that trade schools might be a better option? Do you think you are getting more out of your traditional, four-year college program?

Graduating is almost like watching Paranormal Activity; it’s just plain terrifying.

Because of the current economy (read: in the toilet) many of us are making some pretty rash decisions when it comes to choosing majors and getting the ball rolling on our futures. Students are trying to do whatever they can to get ahead of their peers, often choosing majors early in order to get a head start on internships, jobs and other experiences valuable to an attractive resume. Some schools are even getting rid of their “useless” majors – like Philosophy – in favor of majors that will actually get students some jobs – like Business.

But is being so totally focused and career minded in college really the right way to go?
Some people don’t think so.

Besides specializing in “Ramen Cuisine,” college is an essential time to focus on your career. I mean, that’s why we’re here, right? It often feels that you haven’t even unpacked your bags into your tiny dorm room before your academic advisor is pressuring you to declare your major, and fast. And it makes sense; money is tight and it’s important to get moving on a path that will secure a successful job in the future.  Unless you want to live in your parents’ basement with the family pet, college is the key to jump-starting your life.  Declaring your major early gives you more experience in the field and the opportunity to rope in an internship right away. All things that will eventually make you more appealing to that HR guy in the suit.

At the same time, though, maybe this isn’t the only aspect of college we should be focusing on.

Is getting a job the only reason people get a college education? And is a business student who only knows statistics, finance and how the banking industry works really the most appealing job candidate? What happened to being well-rounded? To being multi-dimensional? That was really important during the college application process, so why not now? Even more, how are you supposed to know what you want to do if you’ve never given anything else a chance? College is a time to explore. To learn. To try new things and find your path. Not to choose the major that makes the most money and hope you can survive it.

College, if you take advantage of all the opportunities it has to offer, opens more doors than Inconsiderate Ian did for you on your last blind date.  It also happens to be the last time you’re really given the freedom to explore such a wide variety of options. I get that we’re all desperate to nab those highly coveted jobs post graduation, but that doesn’t mean we have to lock ourselves into a box just yet. Nor that doing so is the key to success.

So, what do you think? Are we wasting our time on those art and religion classes? Should we be more focused on our trade?

Many colleges are now considering implementing a degree program that would allow students to graduate in three years.  This could provide some students with access to higher education that they may not have otherwise have had, saving them time and money.  But what are they losing (if anything)?

When I think back to my freshman year, I remember a time of mass confusion. I tried three different majors before I found my place. I dabbled in tons of different departments to figure out where I belonged. Would I have been able to do that and graduate at the end of my junior year? Hell no. Would I have been prepared to enter the real world at the age of 20? Um, I’m not even sure how I’ll handle it next year!

And what about the other stuff – the life lessons? The post-21 partying? The road trips, the friendships, and all the other stuff that comes with a 4 year college degree. Ok, so maybe that’s not the really “important” stuff, but it is the stuff that makes us who we are as adults.  Would a three year program take away from the entire college package?

There is no set three year model in mind. Some schools might just lower the credit requirement for a degree, other schools might require you to attend summer classes.  General education requirements would still be in place (they are, after all, the hallmark of the American education system…unfortunately), but it’s unclear how they would fit in with the new streamlined degree requirements. Most likely: really long days… and no 4 day weeks.

Obviously, with all the details up in the air, this is an issue that needs some attention, and who better to decide what is best for college students than college students? Tell us what you think: is a shorter program worth it, or is three years not enough to get a true college experience and education?

I, like you, went to high school. When I was in high school, I already knew that I wanted to be a musician and a writer when I grew up. Even though neither of those professions require a degree, I was made to believe that I had to go to college to be successful in life. And so I packed my nervous bags and made way to New York by way of Ohio. I apprehensively took my place among thousands of other students at my school and I felt out of place immediately.

You see, I was always a ‘good’ student. I graduated high school with nearly a 4.0. I aced tests and papers without wincing and was in every club. Kids like me were supposed to go to college. Period. But I never wanted to.

I went because my parents wanted me to.

I dragged myself through four and a half years of college. I transferred schools. I worked 2 jobs (yes, 60+ hours a week) on top of being a full time student. I was miserable. I was utterly, thoroughly, entirely, unexplainably miserable until I decided not to go back to college. I was only a semester or so shy of my degree and I woke up and decided I was done. I made a decision for myself and not for my parents. Finally, I took control of my life and my happiness and I have never looked back since.

College wasn’t for me and it wasn’t for what I wanted to do. I am sure it is the right place for some people (or most people), but that didn’t mean it was right for me. I have not only enjoyed life more than ever since I made my decision, but my career finally fell into place upon making it, too.

I don’t work ‘side’ jobs now; my music and writing are my main jobs now. I took a chance, yes, but here’s my point:

If your passion doesn’t require a degree, don’t convince yourself you need one. Of course there is something to be said for things learned in college, and I hate it when people tell me that I wasted money and time in college -that’s ridiculous. I have four and a half years of college education and experience; I learned, I grew, I thrived, I starved, and, eventually, I moved on. But even with all of that, college just isn’t right for some people.

If college IS for you, that’s great! But before you assume that you are college bound (particularly because someone else told you to be college bound), sit down and ask yourself: Is college for you or not?

(Hint: There is no wrong answer.)

[Photo courtesy of www.gla.ac.uk]