Essays about the value (or lack thereof) of a college education in today’s world are easy to find. Most of them, however, are written by people whose college years are long behind them. Regardless of their opinions or approaches, these writers often miss the juicy details of day-to-day lived experience. This essay, published on Medium in July 2015, was written by Alex Kern, a software developer and student at University of California Berkeley, and it goes to the heart of student life.
Read it here: Kern, "Don't drop out: Why there's still value in college"
- Although Kern is strongly in favor of staying in school and graduating, he has a number of complaints about and criticisms of the college experience. What are they? Summarize them. Does he present his criticisms fairly? Point to specific examples to support your assessment.
- While Kern details several good arguments for leaving school, he makes it very clear that staying and graduating from college was the better choice for him. Still, his experience as a full-time STEM student at a prestigious university is likely very different from the experiences of many students. How well are you able to identify with Kern’s depiction of college life? Despite any differences in your situation, how applicable do you find his advice? Why? Which of his arguments resonated with you most? Why?
- Read (or re-read) Owen and Sawhill’s essay in Ch. 16 of your text. Those authors, for the most part, support the idea of finishing college. But are they and Kern really talking about the same thing? Why or why not? How might Kern respond to their essay? Why do you think so?
- Kern states that “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills….” Based on your own experience, do you agree with Kern’s claim? Even if you are just beginning your college journey, you have probably already had an experience or two that tested your limits and offered a learning opportunity. Describe such an experience. Using Kern as your They Say and your description as evidence, argue a position that supports or rebuts Kerr’s assertion.
They Say I Blog 
We are Not Identical Gingerbread Men; We Are Unique Individuals
Our current society has put a narrow focus on the benefits of getting a higher education. It uses arguments like; getting a college degree will help you get your dream job, make you well rounded and help you achieve a successful future. All of this is true, but not for everyone. Humans weren’t created to fit into cookie cutter molds. Everyone is different and we should revel in that. But yet young adults feel the pressured by our society to follow suit by graduating high school and going to college in order to get a good job. However, not everyone is fit for college life, whether it is financially, academically or mentally. So why are we continuing to pressure our young adults to conform into a mold in which they will never be able to thrive and grow?
In Alex Kern’s essay “Don’t Drop Out; Why There’s Still Value in College”, he makes the argument that college allows for people to learn their physical, emotional and mental limits. Kern is not wrong in this statement and while learning these limits will definitely help you in the real world situations, since when can’t you gain that knowledge in any other pursuit than college? The answer is that you can. Not everyone needs a textbook and a heavy class load to become successful; some people excel at learning trades and having a good work ethic.
Strohush and Wanner found that almost half of the students that start at a four-year college will never walk across the stage with a diploma in hand. It’s not because these people that go to college that don’t reach graduation because they are lazy, failures or are stupid. They may simply fit in to a different mold that’s not college centered. So why did they go to college if they didn’t fit that mold to begin with you might ask? This is because we are taught from the time we were born to the day we graduate high school that college is the answer to everything. But in teaching us this they don’t give us the real world statistics that only half of us will end with a degree in hand.
A degree isn’t a golden ticket into the work force; even college graduates are struggling now more than in past years finding a job. Yes, once you finally obtain a job you obviously will be making more than the fry cook at McDonald’s who only has a high school degree. However, you will likely have thousands of dollars to pay back in student loans. Experiences are a great thing to acquire but they can be acquired in other ways besides just on a college campus. You can gain valuable experiences through trade school, military or just working in a restaurant, which many of us fail to see as valuable. All experiences are valuable because they teach us skills and lessons.
Kern’s essay is great for people who fall into the college education mold. College is a great thing for people who can excel in that environment. But those people who don’t fit the college mold shouldn’t feel forced to conform or feel less accomplished than those who did go to college. We are all individuals and should take pride in our personal abilities and talents. While we may work to perfect different skills, regardless of the path through which they were achieved, the end result will be beneficial to us financially and to our community, whether we received a college education or not.
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College is something not everyone has the privilege to enjoy. For students lucky enough to have this opportunity, they often think about the other side of the tracks. They wonder if they could have success in the real world without a college experience. In truth , they very well could. But college is about finding out how high you can go, not just making it. Students have been selected because of their potential , they are the cream of the crop. Universities ponder over students tediously to find out who can offer something to make the school better. If a student gains acceptance they have shown an ability to exceed the work of their peers. Now if these students are so well off after high school why shouldn’t they just start working and avoid the hole college debt creates? Its simply because they have an even greater opportunity to improve their skills. In high school these students were the best around, and by attending a university they have now entered into an area of people who are equally as successful as them. If they go to school with a new group of hand picked students, they will feel a new sense of competition. The students that excelled in high school now face greater challenges in college. They face a new obstacle , to outdo the work of their classmates, and they must show that they can still stand above their collegiate peers. Now what if a person started immediately working? They would have 4 years of working experience before the other person even graduates. Would that be a way to elevate yourself in the working world, for a much cheaper price? For the time being it would, but as that person has been working and more or less stagnant with their education, college graduates have learned the ropes of higher level jobs. They have become more suitable for greater position because they did not need to focus on the lower positions. The other gain of having this college experience is the networking. People always mention “Its not what you know, its who you know” referring to the idea relationships are more important than talent. In many cases jobs will go to a person who holds the best relation to an employer. By attending college students are finding a network of people who are striving for success, and their relationships can open doors to greater career paths. Not to say those who do not go to college do not have the ability to network, they just will not get the same quality of networking. If a person is surrounded by students accepted into college, they are around people who can get a step ahead in the working world. Networking in college is meeting with future employers, and networking outside college is meeting future employees. The article discusses that college is a form of a safety net. I think a more appropriate way of looking at college is that it is a stepping stool. College helps individuals stand out when looking for a career. Often employers look for the best they can find, or someone they have good relations with, and a college degree helps puts them on a fast track to success.
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Question #4
Yes I agree with Kern’s claim because I have already endeavored an experience that tested my limits, creativity, and also my learning opportunities. I am currently enrolled in an acting class. I have never been the one to be in theater or who has wanted to become an actor but I thought this class would be fun. I am also shy so I thought it would bring me out of my shell a little bit. By taking this class it has shown me that I can stretch not only my body but also my mind to things I thought I never would have. This experience is also good for me because I am a nursing major, so by taking this class it should help me cope with some of the over dramatic patients. This relates to Kern’s statement because if he never stayed in school he would not have been able to experience different types of classes even though they do not go with his major. These classes are going to help you become a better well rounded person because you will know more than just your major.
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Prior to reading this essay and just looking at the title: “Don’t Drop Out”, I was reluctant to read it. I was expecting it to be the same as what we have always heard from our mothers , fathers, and teachers. I was expecting just another lesson on why we should stay in college and how it will make us more likely to get the careers of our dreams, it will give us a safety net for out future, blah blah blah. However, this article has completely caught me by surprise. Although Alex’s situation in college is different than many others and most students will never have the same experience as him, I do believe in his views and I completely agree with his opinions on school. I think his stance on “bad classes” is absolutely true and every student should strive to choose classes with teachers and professors that push them out of their comfort zone yet keep them engaged in the class. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take classes that do not interest you as of now and may not be valuable to what your future plans are. You should! It will help you become a well-rounded person and expand your world of learning. Another point that Alex makes is that many of colleges most important lessons do not come from a textbook. No, school is a huge shove that will test your emotional, physical, and mental limits. It’s not just the classes and the books and the tests. It’s the people around you, the memories you will make, the experiences that you will never forget. Alex states that the most important thing he has done in his entire college experience is surround himself with a community of friends that challenges him in every way. He sums it up perfectly: “There will never be another time — not even at a startup — when you will be surrounded by such a concentration of peers encouraging and enabling you to learn more.” Also, his simple, yet strong statement “Live your life” is something that I firmly believe in. What he is saying is that you will never be the next Bill Gates or the new Steve Jobs, you will only be you. So be the best you that you can be and strive for your own successes. And contrary to many peoples belief that every student must have a five-year plan and their future goals must be laid out before them, Alex believes that college is a place where you discover you and there is no plan for that. We must take advantage of this time that is given to us in our lives and push ourselves to meet new people, find new things, do something that we might otherwise think is crazy, and yes most importantly find ourselves. Another idea of society that Alex rejects is the idea that we must either hurry up and finish college and get out into the world or we must drop out and hit the ground running and focus on succeeding as soon as possible. There are a countless number of things that you can do while still in college that will set you on your road to success. And because you are in college, you can use the resources around you to your advantage. Teachers, advisors, other students, friends- all of these things will help you accomplish things that would otherwise be very difficult doing alone while trying to start your own business. And Alex isn’t saying that we HAVE to stay in college to succeed. Sometimes we are on the road to success and classes get in the way of doing what we want to do and that is a completely acceptable reason for dropping out. Again, Alex nails it in his statement: “All that matters is that you do something that you care about.” All the things that Alex covers in this essay are things that every student should learn before applying for colleges and even to students that are in college now. The things in this essay cannot be taught to us by an instructor or be said to us by our principal. This is the here and now of college, and its what we should be learning instead of the “motherly” reasons they give us at school. This is REAL.
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Even though Kelsey and I are not on the same page with our feelings on the topic, she does have a very valid point that college is not for everyone. Kelsey states that,”Not everyone is fit for college life, whether it is financially, academically or mentally.” This is very true because statistics show that half of the students that enroll in a four year college will not walk across the stage to receive their diploma. In making this comment, Kelsey responds this by stating, “Not everyone needs a textbook and a heavy class load to become successful; some people excel at learning trades and having a good work ethic.”
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Kern states that “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills….” Based on your own experience, do you agree with Kern’s claim? Even if you are just beginning your college journey, you have probably already had an experience or two that tested your limits and offered a learning opportunity. Describe such an experience. Using Kern as your They Say and your description as evidence, argue a position that supports or rebuts Kerr’s assertion
-I agree with kerns claim, even though this is only the forth week of college I have experienced situations that has lead me to push my limits and offered a learning opportunity that has allowed me to realize hoe I can adapt new skills and improve the ones I have. During this semester I am in marching band which does require extra time even though it is considered a class. I also working two jobs on the weekends, most people would be surprised that I am doing this but what they also don’t understand is that marching band is not just a mon-friday class, it is also on the weekends. being in marching band and working has really helped me buckle down on my time management skills and improve on them as there is no time to waste as a nursing major. even though there is a limited number of hours of free time while your in this major and working I agree when Kern states “There are a lot of activities you can only experience while at school”. Marching band is my activity and I am glad I can experience it while at college. Marching band is like having a second family, you get really close with them as you are always together and you get to understand others in a deeper level and you act like family. if there is a problem you know you can always turn to them for help.
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While Kern states that “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills….” I say that I agree with his claim. I have had my share of experiences that make up his catalyst. I experienced my first time being actually homesick and I had to improve my mental capabilities so that I could carry on with my school work and reach out to others so that I wasn’t in a shell. I also joined in a few clubs which helped me transition into the community. The experiences and opportunities that I have in college will transfer with me wherever I go in the world. If I had dropped out then I wouldn’t know how to handle being homesick or get a chance to try things new with people of my age. If and when Kern had decided to drop out than he would have never gained these opportunities to try something new and interesting, that at this age our young minds desperately crave.
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According to Kern “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills….” So far from my experiences, I personally do agree with Kern. I actually have had an experience that has tested my limits although I just began my first freshmen semester.I believe school teaches you your physical, emotional, and mental limits to an extent.An experience I am willing to share is when I had a 4 page paper due the next morning that I completely forgot about. It tested my physical limits because I had practice and was exhausted to the max. It tested my emotional limit because I was angry and frustrated with the assignment with having to do it last minute.It tested me mentally by achieving the assignment with so many obstacles to get over to attain doing so. That night definitely showed me my limits for sure. Things like that acquire new skills. The skill I believe I attained that night was adversity.
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I agree with Kayla, “These classes are going to help you become a better well rounded person because you will know more than just your major” this is very important in being a well rounded person. you want to be able to relate to others at their level and connect with them. As a nursing major we will encounter many different types of people as well as others from different cultures and we want to be able to understand and respect their wishes.
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In Ann Landreville’s comment I agree with mostly everything she is stating including, “School is a huge shove that will test your emotional, physical, and mental limits. It’s not just the classes and the books and the tests.” College is not just about getting good grades but making sure that you develop as a person. Thus meaning getting involved in activities in or around the community because employers look at your involvement and not just your grade. Kern made a very important statement that Landreville agreed with and that is, “So be the best you that you can be and strive for your own successes.” That is the most important thing in life is making sure you are happy with your decisions and succeed for yourself.
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I agree with ana,” Live your life” is something that everyone should believe in and strive for. if you don’t live your life in college then what will you do when you get out? you wont know where to start. Taking classes that help you find out who you are as a person and challenge you will allow you to realize what you like and don’t like in the world.
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Question #1:
As Alex Kern presents a number of criticisms, after reading the following points he comments about, I feel he presents them fairly because they are in fact his opinions on certain studies. One example study was, “A college education makes you more likely to get the job of your dreams.” In this case he responded that it is true for most professions, but not enough to keep him motivated. Another was, “Many success people have college degrees.” While he may not agree he points out it does not make him happy. In my own opinion many people are successful without a college degrees. For instance, Steve Jobs, founder of apple. Lastly, “A degree gives you a safety net to fall back on.” He feels he wants to do something he loves now, not waiting for in this case a degree to fall on. Concluding, while giving his own incite on the studies presented, clearly shows a better understanding of where he stands with college.
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I agree when Alex Kern writes, “There are a lot of activities you can only experience while at school.” Kern was considering drooping out of college, he didn’t agree with the way the education system. He believes that, “Every discipline, by its very nature, has a different way of learning.” I believe he did present his criticisms fairly. Even though he disagreed with some things, he still decided to stay in college, because the out come of getting a degree is more beneficial than not to have one. Explain ” A college education makes you more likely to get the job of your dreams” ect. Although college isn’t for everyone there is a college for everyone.
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I agree with josh when we wrote “The experiences and opportunities that I have in college will transfer with me wherever I go in the world.” he is definitely right when he feels as if this will correlate to reality outside of college. As we’ll as Ana. I agree with her when she says it will help you find out who you are as a person.
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Alex Kern points out several complaints about staying in college in his article “Don’t Drop Out: Why there’s still value in college.” Kern himself writes, “the reward was to nebulous… having a degree is a dubious casual claim… I want to do something I love – Now!” Kern is also corroborating the age-old adage that, “a degree in (English, Sociology, Psychology, etc.) doesn’t translate to skills in the workplace.” In other words, students believe, “a technical degree is more valuable than a non-technical degree.” Kern’s criticisms are fair, most of the skills learned in your prerequisite classes might not be used in your work. However, Kern’s point is that, “the most valuable courses don’t prescribe what to learn, but how to learn.”
I agree with Ann in that college gives us a sense of realism. Unlike high school where if you mess-up you can just try again tomorrow, college is a harder place to practice your skills. If you mess-up in college you can try again next semester but it’ll cost you more money. Whereas in life if you mess-up, its highly unlikely you’ll get a second chance.
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I agree with what Demarco is saying that school experience shapes who you are. Also, I like the way he expresses the examples on Kerns claim on education.
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I agree with Kern’s claim about how school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. As a freshman, I’ve attended some events that would help to keep me busy instead of staying in my room. I’ve met a lot of new people with different personalities. In meeting those people, It has taught me to adapt as person in different situations. I could be having great time with someone who is outgoing and spontaneous, but I’d have to be serious with someone who is intellectual and professional. I’ve encountered so many people already and I’ve learned that although everyone has their own unique personality, there are some cases where you just have to act a certain way in order adapt to those around you. When Kern states that “school forces you outside your comfort zone.” This is statement is true, my experience has forced me to approach other people who seem intimidating and adapt to their nature. School is sort of a battlefield for yourself, but it teaches great values in the long run.
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I agree with what Kelsey is saying when she addresses that a college degree is not, “the golden ticket,” she says. This ultimately meaning that to be successful you can be successful without a degree. For instances, an example I also used in my response to Kerns article, Steve Jobs did not have any form of schooling to ready start his career in Apple Inc.
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I agree with Sara’s response on how Kern states that “A college education makes you more likely to get the job of your dreams.” I believe that I share the same opinion as Sara does. There are a lot of people who become millionaires or are even successful without a degree. I believe that it takes dedication and hard work to achieve that greatness as well. Another a person that I would like to use as an example is Tyler Perry. As a matter of fact, Tyler Perry did not even complete High school.
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I agree with Kayla’s response on Kern’s statement. There are activities a person can only enjoy in college and those experiences can enhance potential characteristics that can develop throughout the years. There is also the thought of making life long friends and making memories that could last forever. If a person were to drop out of college then they would miss out on those unique opportunities in being a part of something,
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According to the students in “Don’t Drop Out”, attending a liberal arts school is a waste of time and it is better to learn or study something that is more practical.Along with the complaints of other students, Alex Kern himself writes, “ Bad classes with bad curriculum taught by bad teachers are a waste of your time.” In addition, Alex Kerns points out his I feel that he presents his criticisms fairly because he backs up his criticisms by expressing that each and every field of study has “technical worth” and should not be overlooked just because it is not a path that is somewhat “realistic”. For instance, a degree in fashion design or any other career that requires some sort of innovation. These types of career paths would be know as impractical based on the fact that it is difficult to be successful in any of them. Usually when students attend university, they pick stable majors such as education, criminal law, or even accounting. However, individuals can go on to learn technical things in any field. Alex Kern goes on to say that “Every discipline, by its very nature, has a different way of learning” and it is a new way of learning. I agree with Sara when she says that earning a college degree is the only way to be successful. It is important for young people to realize that college is not for everyone and that it ultimately comes down to what you want to do with your life. I also agree with Melanie pointing out that going through the college experience can take you out of your comfort zone. It requires you to become more independent and teaches tests you to become more proactive in you learning.
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“Don’t Drop Out” by Alex Kern, holds many truths to the minds of young people who may be overwhelmed with college, or just school in general. At first glance, people may be reluctant to read this article because, they automatically assume that it’s going to be a lecture that every parent and teacher has given a student that is struggling in school. The thing that makes this article different however, is that it is told from a person who had this issue first hand. Personally, I think that it makes his argument more justifiable because he tells about his experience. He does support the fact that school in general, especially college, teaches students certain life skills that they wouldn’t necessarily learn in the real world. There are a lot of people that have been very successful who never went to college but, that does not apply to everyone. I agree that Kern makes a lot of valid arguments as to why college is important in not only education but also in the shaping of character, a point that needs emphasizing since so many people believe that a college education is useless. College is a time for growth and to try new experiences and the problem is, people only focus on the educational aspect but, there is so much more to it that people have yet to realize.
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After reading Alex Kern’s article “Don’t Drop Out” I realized that although it might seem like a decision that is easy to make Alex Kern still had trouble deciding whether or not he should stay in college and finish his education, or drop out and enter a business program. I know many people who were faced with a similar problem before. When Alex Kern was trying to come to a decision, he consulted many websites to get information, and he agreed with people that a college education is more likely to get you the profession of your dreams but at the same time he believed that this wasn’t true for him. It didn’t matter if he got an education or not, he would still be able to enter this program and be well off without an education. When people told him that many successful people have college degrees, he didn’t agree at all. He kind of laughed it off. There were many people out there without a college education and yet they were very successful in their life. He did agree though, that every single field of study had intellectual growth. No matter what you studied it would still help you in the future. After consulting many people, Kern decided that no matter what people say to you, getting a college education is more important.
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Experience is key, especially what you learn in and out of class. Alex Kern states that “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits.” I agree with this statement, college is a very unique place, and Kern truly opens up and expresses some really positive and negative aspects that many of us have, or one day may encounter. There are many students that have the honor and privilege to receive their diploma for their hard work. Yet some have forgotten or even become ungrateful because of the cost. However there are people that don’t have the opportunity to even attend college. For those that have the privilege to attend, come to learn that college is honestly scary. Kern states that “school forces you outside your comfort zone.” And this is true, we are placed in situations where we have to pop out of our shell. But its also our strength because it opens many of us to seeing we have options. I concur with Kimlie Fleurima and Joanna B that though college is an choice. It allows for everyone that attends, to have the ability to develop more fundamentals and create their own success. We are given the chance to strive for our advance as well as our careers. We are put in new places of the world, usually away from our parents, where we learn to develop individuality and mature even further into our adulthood. From someone who attended college, Kern validates his points in his article as someone with experience. He makes it clear that we all can’t just be striving to be the next Mark Zuckerberg. It’s better to be yourself and aim to be more than just an idol. Being successful is part of the american dream, and though there are some that have made it without attending college. Not everyone is the same, and we all have different paths to take. Though college is expensive, the memories, fun, and failure you will experience will strengthen you, and allow for you to endeavor and follow your dreams.
-sballantyne@stevenson.edu
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They say that going to college will help you get a higher paid job and more benefits. I agree however, college comes with its negatives. For one, as Mr. Kern states that the college courses only teach you the tangible material in order to get through the class. Most of the time it is very clear cut with no room for creativenes. However, one must have experience in the class room and real world in order to succeed in life. He later claims that we cant just go to college striving to be the next Mark Zuckerberg as Mr. Ballantyne states. We no longer live in the American Dream which is why college is almost a necessity to teenagers today if they want to have a long and successful career.
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Question #1
Alex Kern is strongly in favor for staying in school and graduating, but he also brings along with him a number of complaints and criticisms for the college experience. As Kern was seeking for advice online he came across numerous articles and quotes. The first complaint he had was the lack of motivation about how a college education can earn you the job of your dreams. Kern was also not convinced or uncertain about successful people having college degrees. He also argues about how a degree can symbolize as a safety net to fall back on, he was unimpressed with the safeguard because he did not want to spend the better part of his youth constructing one. He wants to pursue his dreams, discover himself, and do something he loves.
Kern states in his article “Every discipline, by its very nature, has a different way of learning”. He strongly emphasizes and makes it clear that each other, by its exceptionally nature, has an alternate method for learning. He also states “The analytical tools you gain through the study of a field are of far greater use than any degree”. He believes that the logical instruments you increase through the investigation or study of a field are of far more prominent utilization than any degree. I personally believe that in this statement he presents his criticisms fairly. Not only is he making a point, but in most cases, this tends to be true for most students. He expresses the possibility to expand knowledge of different disciplines outside of college but also claims that you wont. He gives examples on why you wont, its too hard, you don’t know where to begin, it may not interest you and seem boring, and it is difficult finding time to explore topics unrelated to your job or startup. These are all great examples of how we limit ourselves to doing certain things we are capable of handling.
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In Kern’s article, “Don’t Drop Out; Why There’s Still Value in College,” he says that going to college will help a person become well rounded and be able to experience new things which is completely true. When going to college, you meet so many new people and you learn that you have to take responsibility for yourself. Being the first one in my family to graduate from college, I didn’t have anyone telling me what to expect when I showed up the first day and I assumed college would be really fun and not too hard. I was by no means prepared for the amount of responsibility that was sprung on me and I almost regretted making the decision to go to college. However, after the first week, I realized I was going to be responsible for myself and my future and I knew it was something I could handle. With that being said, I do believe that everyone should experience some form of higher education whether it be college, technical school, or just a certification program. Is college for everyone? No, but in today’s competitive world, it’s almost a necessity to have some form of higher education.
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In the article Alex Kerns key point is it is important to stay in school, and to do something he loves, he needs to get a degree. He could have taken eight months off, but trying to get back into the swing of things after, would never have happened.Kerns states “The bottom line is that college can be one of the most enjoyable times of your life. I’ve met my best friends at Cal. My fondest memories come from experiences here.” College is an experience that no one can ever get back, so attending college is a part of life that shapes who a person is. Kern also talks about how not everyone attending college will become the next Mark Zuckerberg.Kerns states in that article “Live your life. Don’t attempt to become the “next” someone else be the next you. I bet that your own ambitions are more interesting.” He is saying that be yourself, don’t try and shot to be something your not. I agree with another blogger Samuels quote saying “being successful is part of the american dream, and though there are some that have made it without attending college. Not everyone is the same, and we all have different paths to take.” I believe that this is true and Kerns makes that clear. I try and shoot for the stars, but sometimes I miss, but where ever I land is where I am meant to be, and that’s okay. I also believe that college will be a great four years and it will shape the person I become, and to do what I love I need to take the college courses that will get me a degree and get me a job that I love.
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Although Kern is strongly in favor of staying in school and graduating, he has a number of complaints about and criticisms of the college experience.
i believe there is a lot of reasons for people to drop out from college . college is not every young person is suited to four years of college. They may be bright and ambitious but they won’t get much out of it. They’d rather be doing something else, like making money or working instead of going to college a lot of people don’t like to sit down and learn.either they get bored or they are not interested of learning new things.most of the people graduate from high school or drop out from high school before going to college they start to work And all too often the jobs they land after graduating don’t pay enough.in the meantime, students who are unsure of what they want to study or do are probably best advised to be very energetic when choosing a college, and to be unafraid to wait until they are sure how they will use their degree before they start to pursue one.other big thing that i believe is most people don’t offer the money to go to college and continue with their education.
i agree with Kayla she said that ” College is not just about getting good grades but making sure that you develop as a person that’s very true while you learn new things and see a lot more in life you become more mature and develop as a person.It is power that enables you to act, respond, react and do so with your integrity and honesty. also Maintain good relationships and good communication so than you can devolve well as a person.
i also agree with Josh “The experiences and opportunities that I have in college will transfer with me wherever I go in the world.whatever you earn in life it will always make you proud and lead with you whatever you go.i believe if you work hard and become successful you will become more powerful.
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college provides an environment that is crucial for self-discovery and personal development. Robbing yourself of this ability by purposely dropping out to take a risk by developing a fledgling business is generally a very risky and unnecessary decision to make. As the author says himself, you are better off prototyping a business venture while in school to test the waters than to charge blindly into something you haven’t planned for. I disagree with Emily Duff “Live your life is something that everyone should believe in and strive for”. Im not saying don’t live your life but you have to think about your future to not just live in the present.They say that going to college will help you get a higher paid job and more benefits. I agree with justin Gorton because in today’s society if one does not have an high level of education they’ll struggle finding a high paying job.
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1.
Kern does say that college is very important for the average person. He states some criticisms and critiques about college. Kern says that you should have fun in college, only take classes with a good teacher and for a good purpose. Especially don’t waste anytime, life is short.
I read Justin’s blog and I agree with him. Most college classes I am taking have very little creativity. Justin also states that everyone needs to experience the classroom and the real world to have a successful career.
Joanna B. agrees with Mr. Kern as well. Mr. Kern did go to college like the most of us. She agrees with me that it is important not only to get good grades in classroom, but also to go out a socialize with a lot of people while in college. College is a time to grow as a person, so you as a person should do anything you can do.
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Yes I agree with Kern’s case on the grounds that I have officially attempted an ordeal that tried my cutoff points furthermore my learning open doors.
Kelsey and I are not in agreement on the subject, she has an exceptionally legitimate point that school is not for everybody. Kelsey states that,”Not everybody is fit for school life, whether it is fiscally, scholastically or rationally.” This is genuine in light of the fact that insights demonstrate that a large portion of the understudies that select in a four year school won’t stroll over the stage to get their confirmation.
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I do believe with Kern’s statement that “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you you’re physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills….” I am just starting my college journey and I already have had tests on my emotional and mental limits. As a person who lets emotions get the best of them, going away to college and learning a completely different lifestyle has been the biggest test. For me, I know college was the right choice, aside from getting a higher education and having a higher likelihood of “getting the job of my dreams,” I know it is going to make me a better person. That is one of the main reasons I wanted to go away from home instead of commuting. I would much rather learn now, how to live on my own, instead of learning after I graduate. I did not need someone to tell me that I needed to go to college to be successful. I know how I work and I know that I am not going to be someone who invents something life changing without going to school.
College is a gateway into the real world. It prepares students to live on their own and to overcome their own problems without depending on their parents. As Kelsey mentioned above, college is not for everyone. People cannot be forced to go to college and get a degree if that is not what is right for them. I believe her post entirely. Not every person needs a textbook to be successful. While some people fit into the role of a heavy worker, some would rather learn a trade. Those two types of people are very similar, but they are different at the same time. They both want to strive for success, they just have different ideas on how to get there. The heavy worker would much rather write pages upon pages discussing the different types of law, while the trade student would much rather learn how an engine works and be hands on with one.
Compared to the learning aspect, the emotional and mental aspect is not something you get textbooks on and learn how to do. Samuel Ballantyne said that college give you opportunities for people to pop out of their shell. While that statement is true, people have to be willing to break out of that shell. Breaking out is more of a personal thing that people can chose to do or not to do. Unlike learning and going to class, if you do not do that then you will not pass and you will not graduate. An individual can graduate college without breaking out of that shell and they will be just as knowledgeable as the next graduate. Kern stated that good students teach themselves, I believe that is something that the more introverted person does, the person who does not break out of their shell. That person is not going to be forced outside of their comfort zone because they are not going to put themselves into situations where that is possible. While some occupations you can get away with that, other you cannot and that introverted person needs to evaluate the field they are going into and think to themselves if they need to break that bubble they are in.
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Kern states that “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills….” Based on my own experience, this is my first time that I have been struggling with my time management skills. I realized that I ad to work on getting organize in my classes. By doing that, I reached out to my mentor and that’s something that I have never done before. If I took the chance to drop out of college, I wouldn’t know how to have time management skills along with the pressure of school. According to Demarco Garcia, Demarco states that college will help a person’s out with figuring out who they are. I agree with Demarco that college will expose students to many new things. Also according to Emily Duff, Emily states that challenging college courses will make a person realize what they like and don’t like. I agree with Emily Duffn that college courses will help you figure out what you like and don’t like.
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In Kern’s view, “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits.” I can relate to this completely and it has only been month since school started. School has taught me my physical limits by teaching me how to interact with others better and build new relationships. I would have to say college will prepare me better for emotional battles, now and for the rest of my life. When i first left home for college, i didn’t know what to expect here. I was very sad when i left my home, but excited to leave at the same time. I did cry a little, I won’t lie, college has torn me apart a little. I really think the hardest part of college is the mental part. If i want to do good in something, i have to believe, i can’t just give up when things get hard for me.
I have learned a life lesson at college already, and it doesn’t include the classroom. I learned how to file a claim when my car was in an accident. Before anyone tells me i’m a bad driver, let me note that i was not in the car when my car was hit. I picked this story because I think it relates to Kern’s story on “learning”. Kern believes that “Good students teach themselves” and that not all learning comes from the class room, which is correct in my opinion. I could have studied and took multiple exams on how to file a claim and call the towing company to come pick up my car. Or, I could of picked up the phone and called the insurance company like I did. I have to agree with Kern here, sometimes you have to teach yourself and get actually experience, nut just read a book. College does test your limits, I was broken down after my car was in the accident. I had to adjust to school, pressure from the accident and on top of all that, I missed my family.
So yes, Kern is right in my mind. College is very hard on a person. Mental and Physically. But, i can’t wait for the next four years to be my favorite four years.
I must agree with Justin, college has its positives and negatives. College does serve a purpose rather than just teaching us material we may never remember once we graduate. But, College has many life lessons, we just have to go out and find them.
I share multiple things in common with Samuel B. We both know college will be one of the most difficult things to overcome in our lives. We also know it will be the most rewarding part of our lives. I want to do great things in my life, and i don’t compare myself to anyone else. I know if I want to accomplish my goals, I will have to do them my way and not copy off of other great individuals to achieve success.
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College is not for everyone. Shoot, maybe even school itself. Many people have many different tolerances. Sometimes school can be one of them. I think grades are what messes it up to begin with. Even though some people struggle with school, I think there is a fair chance for everybody to get the same experience in college. School is always what you make it, not anyone else. Of course there are inspirations, but do they always work? No, because every ones situation is different. But do I say school is the best option. Yes I do. School is the best option because it can lead you in so many different directions never even imagined. Not everything you do in life you are going to learn in school, but it is a start. Like Kern said, you can’t just go out into the world thinking you can take it on because you cannot, you will struggle because you definitely need prepping before you step in sticky situations. Not only that, but companies who are searching for people to work for them do not want somebody who has no experience or has no education. Education is an important value of life because you technically cannot get anywhere without it. In today’s world, companies want people with higher degrees and not just associates or a diploma because that means you really did not work for what you want. It means you just bypassed your situation and just took the easy way out. But, every ones situation is different. College is not always the best option because it is very expensive and some are not able to afford it. Something’s colleges do not tell their students is that, they will be paying debts off for the rest of their life, or just about. I honestly do not think college should be expensive as it is because like Kern said ” college only teaches you the tangible material in order to get through class”. Which is true, because you do not even get to the gist of your major until your junior and senior year. But I still think that college is important because “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits.” I agree with this statement because as I said before, college is what you make it. In order for it to be something special, you must put in the effort to make it everything you wish it to be even if that means you are broke when you come out. But at least it has a positive spin to it, that is you get to follow all your dreams and actually reach and achieve them. I agree with Joanna no student wants to keep hearing the same lecture about school from their teacher or their parents, but Kern was able to make the students understand where he was coming from. Kern had a lot of arguments, but an argument is also a conversation. He had very valid points during this conversation. I call it a conversation because as I was reading I was able to think of exactly what I wanted to say. I also agree with Emily because I am not on campus at my school, I am a commuter student therefore I have many other things to do outside of school, like working to jobs and being involved at school. It is not easy trying to be involved in school, work two jobs during the week as well as go to school, and make sure all of my work is done. But as a college student you have to make decisions that are right for you because at the end of the day, no one can make your educational experience what you want it to be except for you.
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There are a handful of complaints about the college experience such as bad classes, following someone’s footsteps, and the living environment “day to day college life”. Yes Kern does present the criticism fairly by stating the negative and telling the positive, so each statement balances out. For example, “Live your life. Don’t attempt to become the “next” someone else-b the next you” (Kern 2015). Kern means that you shouldn’t work hard to become someone that has already made an impression. In my view, if you want to pursue a career as someone who has already made an impression you should strive to better and become more memorable.
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I feel like his just hates learning. He rather live his life accordingly, day by day that is. HE doesn’t fully bash college and its experience because he do take heat to the fact that it is essential in the work world. But he also, complains greatly about possibly having what he calls and I quote “bad teachers”. Bad teachers are ones who, simply cannot teach the lesson properly that students can grasp an understanding. He also, says that some classes are a “waste” and if you are a didactic leaner you can teach yourself, just as he does. Another thing he complains about is the overall experience. I feel like he didn’t give his self enough time in college to even make all of these complaints. He did too much comparing between what he actually does, what college is really like and what he assume college to be like.
I also, disagree with Justin Gorton because I do believe we still live in the American Dream because we all still have this equal opportunity to go to college and succeed. We have to have faith that college is where we belong and will succeed in order to make it into a really. We cannot simply believe someone else’s experience or assumptions of college are true because everyone’s experience is different.
Though, I do agree with EKATEPUHA. I do believe that he made such a simple decision very complex. He was so stuck on the fact that may people without college degrees were successful that it made him kind question if he had to get a degree himself. But after hearing opinions from other adults, telling him an education will further him in life, he kind of hindered his beliefs of college and then had some faith in it.He even said that going to studying something in college would give you “intellectual growth” nobody can take that away from you. You will always have that knowledge whether you succeed or not.
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I agree with Josh and Demarco when they said “The experiences and opportunities that I have in college will transfer with me wherever I go in the world.” College is not just about the education, even though that is the main part of attending college. You learn who you are as a person. It will prepare you for your future when you are living on your own.
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Question 4- Yes, I am a freshman in college and I agree with all of Kern’s claims. Thus far college has tested my physically and mentally, however, I know it will all pay off in the end and that is why I am enduring it. Mentally, I miss my family and being away from them all the time in the beginning was very testing but it has gotten better. Physically I am exhausted, staying up late to get homework done then getting up for class in the morning is strenuous. Kern states that “school is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills….” Yes, I have already learned many skills, for example how to do my laundry and be independent. As far as classes are concerned since I am a freshman my classes are not based off my major yet so I have not experienced those yet. College was the best option for me and I agree with what Kern’s had to say.
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I strongly agree with Jack O’Connell when he talks about high school in comparison to college. In high school it was alright to screw up because that was what it was for, to find ourselves. College is a major decision because once you’re in it we have to be careful with our future decisions and actions.
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Emily Duff also made a very convincing argument about the classroom. She says that taking challenging classes can help you find out what you are good at or what you like. This is crucial in finding out what you want to do with your life since were forced to make life decisions at the age of 18.
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Yes, I agree with Kern’s view on staying in school for multiple reasons. Playing a college sport is an experience for me because i was never committed to something so intensely in my life until I got to college. Now that im 2 months into my sport and a month into school im beginning to realize how life in the real world will be like in the future. Multiple days a week I wake up at 5am and have to make sure all my school work is ready for when I get back from practice. Waking up that early tests my mental stage of life just knowing that I can do it. A quote Kern uses that relates well to my situation is “school forces you outside your comfort zone.” This quote makes me understand that yes balancing school,sports, and life takes us out of our usual comfort zone. Living on campus makes us have to adjust and also getting familiar with a new environment with new people. Overall college is a once in a lifetime experience that not everyone will have. We have to feel blessed for where we are in our lives.
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In response to question 1, Kern does offer a number complaints about the college experience. One specific complaint is when Kern says “I want to do something I love – now.” In other words, Kern doesn’t want to go through many years of college to get his degree, when he can do something he loves much sooner. Another complaint Kern makes is with regards to being outside of your comfort zone. He argues that college makes students study things in which they dislike, in order to make them well-rounded. In my opinion, this point is not argued fairly. Kern didn’t think about why colleges might make students study things outside of their interests. He only offered his own opinion, and that’s not fair. To me, I think studying things you may dislike does have benefits other than just making you a “well-rounded person”. When students take courses in which they do not like the subject, it is helping them become more open-minded. If Kern would’ve presented his argument with an opposing side, it would’ve been more fair.
Kern presented the quote “A college education makes you more likely to get the job of your dreams”, and then disagrees by saying “The reward is too nebulous.” Kern’s point is that “the job of your dreams” is such for a reason, because it’s in your dreams. Imagining your dream job coming true seems unclear and difficult to understand in the real world. I have mixed feelings towards this argument. Obtaining one’s dream job is not necessarily nebulous because some individuals do have their dream job. However, for most people, going to college to become an astronaut may seem optimistic, but not very reasonable. Kern’s way of presenting this point was fair, because his argument was simply his opinion, rather than accusing colleges of giving students false hope.
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Kern himself writes, “School is a catalyst for experiences that teach you your physical, emotional, and mental limits. When combined with academics, an undergraduate program offers you the greatest variety of opportunities to acquire new skills, both from your fellow students and from faculty” and I do not deny that this statement is wrong because once you undergo an experience such as college, you have a wide range of things you can get involved in when you are only at school and it is a guarantee you will miss out on certain things if you decide to drop out. Kern states, “Meet people your own age with different world-views or ethnic/financial/geographic/political backgrounds, enjoy more free time than you know what to do with, leaving room to adventure (or just eat cheesy sticks and play video games), join one of a million student groups, or start your own, live in a fraternity, sorority, cooperative, or any other student-centered community and ‘expand your mind’ in an environment where it is socially acceptable” and being in college only for a couple of weeks I am still trying to figure out myself and as Emily mentioned there has been certain situations where I have to figure out how to use my skills I have acquired because college is way different from the high school I went to. I have a public speaking class and I never would have thought that I would be able to share some personal things about myself and they would not judge me for it because everybody is mature and could relate to some of the things I have experienced.
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Stated in the passage by Alex Kern “If I took a year off I would not be able to get back into the swing of things”(Kern). I believe a lot of college students get overwhelmed or lazy during the first two semesters of college and think that a gap year would be a great idea. Most of those students do not go back to school, you fall out of the swing of things. He decribes that students should stay in school to help with jobs, “not everyone is the next Mark Zuckerberg” (Kern). I think that it is important to stay in school and to strive even when it gets hard. The harder you work for something the better you will feel in the end. You only get one life, make the best of it.
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Question #1. In his article Kern Maintains that staying in college will do you more good then dropping out. In making this comment Kern still feels there are many criticisms to college. A criticism such as that there are professors who will not push you outside your comfort zone which a bad class and a waste of time. I say that Kern is well explained in the criticism he made though he only made few he explained through personal experience. Kern himself wrote “I’m always learning from someone else, whether it be a lecturer, the writer of a textbook, or the collective authors of a Wikipedia article.”
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I’m of two minds about Kern’s claim that college is really valuable. On the one hand, i strongly agree that college is one of the most important things to do right now. On the other hand, people can still make it in life and be successful without going to college. Kern disagrees with the millionaire and billionaire entrepreneurs that tell college students that dropping out and following your dreams is better than actually getting a degree. I too disagree with the entrepreneurs that dropped out. Just because they made it without college doesn’t mean others will. Kern makes a statement that college gives you opportunity’s that are not present anywhere else, and if someone drops out then they are missing out on them. I agree with Kern because what you find in college probably wont be anywhere else. Kern strongly states that college is one of the greatest experiences that someone can have and that they should not drop out because they will miss out.
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As of now, i am a deciding major in college. So I’m in the middle of still choosing what i want to do with my life. However i am sure that whatever i do, i want to be successful and i want to have a stable career. Therefore, getting a college degree will, in my opinion, higher my chances of accomplishing my goals of being what i think is successful. Not saying that people that do not attend or drop out of college are unsuccessful, Kem gave examples of people who made it fine in life without college. But i feel that if you don’t have a degree, getting a job over someone that does have a degree is less likely in my opinion. His advice about finding something that i like is extremely helpful because i am still undecided. Like I’ve said, i know how i want to be in the future, i just have to incorporate that to what i like. His most convincing point was the one about not being “the next…”. I think people look to what others have done and think its the easiest and fastest way to be successful, but in my opinion, its not the best way because it may not always work with you how it did with someone else.
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I also agree with Kelsey’s statement that “college is not the golden ticket. Further. she very accurately claims that college is not the right fit for everyone financially or academically. That being said, I still do believe that everyone should at least try and get some sort of college education.
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