|
Welcome
By Gordie Loewen
 Gordie Loewen --- Guest Column
|
|
Well, its back to school time again.� After having been around most of the summer on a barren, lifeless campus, seeing the bustle of students again is like seeing that first Kiss tour after they started wearing makeup again.� In other words, its back to that same old obnoxious lifestyle that is wholly entertaining.
Ifeel inclined to offer some words of wisdom to those slightly less "experienced".�
Above all things, remember that you are here to learn.� Unfortunately, so many people here, students and professionals alike, seem to think that the learning process ends when you leave the classroom.
There are two types of education at a university, the classroom education and the social education.� What’s important to remember is that the classroom education is only superficially important, whereas, the social education will shape your personality for the rest ofyour life.
The social
Before you all start getting grand ideas of what "social education" means, I am not talking about drinking until you’re sick and going clothes shopping with your eight friends that all look exactly alike so you can continue to look alike.� I’m talking about doing something useful with your time at this university.� For example, join an organization, we have over 200.� Or, go to any of our great cultural events on campus.� Some of your best teachers at the university will be your peers.� Honestly, who knows how to relate information to you better, some fifty-year old "academic" or your eight friends that all look exactly like you?
The Classroom
To be fair, your classroom education is important. It is designed to teach you how to think, solve problems, back up your arguments, and just generally be a more effective person.� Unfortunately, most people miss all this and only see the job opportunities that their degree will provide.� Yeah, economic viability is important and all, but if that’s all you’re worried about than you might as well go to a trade school and become a plumber; they make $37 dollars an hour.�
You’re Missing the Point
If all you’re worried about is getting out of college and getting the best job and making the most money, you are indeed, missing the point of attending a university.� Have you ever noticed how SCSU has hundreds of Mass Communications and Business majors complaining about how they can’t get in to any classes they need?� Now, I have nothing against the Business and Mass Communications programs and I agree that class availability is an egregious problem here, but in this instance there is a very good reason for it. There are too many people in those programs.�
My Advice
Do something interesting while you’re at college. You can keep the business major that mommy and daddy want you to have but broaden your horizons a little bit.� Take a Human Relations class and learn about systems of oppression.� Take a theater class (assuming we still have a theater department) and learn about some great play-writes.�
And by all means, if you find something interesting in one of your classes ask yourprofessor about it.�They’ll tell you more; they love to hear themselves talk.� Pretty soon you might even find that you’re learning on your own and that’s when you’ve succeeded and college has made you a more effective person.�So until next time remember, change out of that stupid rugby shirt so I can tell you and your eight identical twins apart at the bar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
