Is It All About Going to College? | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:14:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 Is It All About Going to College? | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-187 Renae Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:22:47 +0000 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-187 We have told too many generations that they need to go to school to get a job. The results are that even if you are qualified for a job a degree is required before you will even be considered. We have told too many generations that they need to go to school to get a job. The results are that even if you are qualified for a job a degree is required before you will even be considered.

]]> Is It All About Going to College? | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-183 siobhan curious Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:48:48 +0000 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-183 As a college teacher, I am constantly discouraged by the lack of available options for students who don't wish to go to college, as well as the prevailing social attitude that a person needs to have a post-secondary degree in order to do ANYTHING. Many teenagers are very poorly served by the pressure put on them to go to college, and their inability to succeed at college/university (which may be due to a number of factors) can lead not only to problems with employability but also to severe issues with self-esteem - such teenagers need other options, like professional and trade apprenticeships or alternative kinds of education, but such options are rarely available. What's more, in Quebec, public colleges receive their (badly needed) government funding based on their enrollment numbers, so there is more and more pressure to enroll large numbers of students who are not academically or personally ready for the challenges of college. As a result, colleges are morphing their courses and overall curricula to accomodate such students, and the overall value and meaning of a college education is declining. It's a large, society-level problem that needs a lot more attention than it's getting. No one doubts the value of an education. The problem is that the term "education" is so narrowly defined. As a college teacher, I am constantly discouraged by the lack of available options for students who don’t wish to go to college, as well as the prevailing social attitude that a person needs to have a post-secondary degree in order to do ANYTHING.

Many teenagers are very poorly served by the pressure put on them to go to college, and their inability to succeed at college/university (which may be due to a number of factors) can lead not only to problems with employability but also to severe issues with self-esteem - such teenagers need other options, like professional and trade apprenticeships or alternative kinds of education, but such options are rarely available.

What’s more, in Quebec, public colleges receive their (badly needed) government funding based on their enrollment numbers, so there is more and more pressure to enroll large numbers of students who are not academically or personally ready for the challenges of college. As a result, colleges are morphing their courses and overall curricula to accomodate such students, and the overall value and meaning of a college education is declining.

It’s a large, society-level problem that needs a lot more attention than it’s getting. No one doubts the value of an education. The problem is that the term “education” is so narrowly defined.

]]> Is It All About Going to College? | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-177 Sprittibee Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:11:54 +0000 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-177 I know plenty of folks who are making a good living without a degree. I also know some (like myself) who continue to learn and better themselves without a degree. I only finished 2.5 years of college and I'm able to teach my kids, run a household, keep our finances, pay our taxes, and continue my own education. I think college is great, but that shouldn't be your main goal in life. Do what you love. Learn from people who are great at it. "Follow your bliss". I know plenty of folks who are making a good living without a degree. I also know some (like myself) who continue to learn and better themselves without a degree. I only finished 2.5 years of college and I’m able to teach my kids, run a household, keep our finances, pay our taxes, and continue my own education. I think college is great, but that shouldn’t be your main goal in life. Do what you love. Learn from people who are great at it. “Follow your bliss”.

]]> Is It All About Going to College? | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-176 Kathleen Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:44:46 +0000 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/is-it-all-about-going-to-college/#comment-176 I think college is over-rated as the ticket to a good life. You don't need an ivy league education to be successful. Beisdes plumbers, elctricians and welders can make a darn good living!! I think college is over-rated as the ticket to a good life. You don’t need an ivy league education to be successful. Beisdes plumbers, elctricians and welders can make a darn good living!!

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