Category: College

Introduction

As a first generation college student, I understand the importance of hard work and dedication. I am the first in my family to attend college, and I’m proud to be blazing the trail for future generations. My parents have encouraged me to take this opportunity to create a better future for myself and to set an example for my siblings. I am eager to learn and to explore new opportunities that will help me to reach my full potential. My parents have instilled in me the importance of an education, and I’m grateful for the chance to pursue my dreams.

Definition of a First Generation College Student

A first generation college student is someone whose parents have not completed a four-year college degree. This student is the first in their family to pursue a college degree, and is often the first to navigate the college admissions process, understand financial aid, and take on the responsibility of college tuition. First generation college students are often the first to experience college life, from getting involved in clubs and activities to living away from home and making their own decisions.

My Challenges Faced by First-Generation College Students

As a first-generation college student, one of the biggest challenges I face is financial constraints. Coming from a low-income family, I find it difficult to afford tuition, books, and other necessary supplies. Even with scholarships, I struggle to make ends meet and am constantly worried about being able to finish my degree without going into debt. In addition, I often have to work multiple jobs to pay for college, which can make it difficult to focus on my studies. It’s a challenge, but I’m determined to make it through and get my degree.

Another challenge I face is the lack of support from family and friends. Many people don’t understand the journey I’m on and don’t know how to help me. This can be discouraging and isolating at times.

The last one I have faced is navigating the college admissions process. I had to learn which schools to apply to, what documents were required, and how to apply for financial aid. I also had to figure out how to apply for scholarships and grants. I’m determined to make it through and get my degree.

Advantages of Being a First-Generation College Student

Being a first-generation college student has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. It has come with a lot of hard work and dedication but the advantages have been immense. One of the biggest advantages has been the increased confidence and independence I have gained. By taking this big step and succeeding in college, I have gained the confidence to take on more challenges and to believe in myself. It has also given me a sense of independence, knowing that I can rely on myself to make decisions and be independent.

My college degree will give me an edge over those without one, and I know that I can use my educational background to secure a better job. With the right qualifications, I can use my college experience to better my prospects in the job market. Companies recognize the value of a college education, and will often offer higher salaries and more career opportunities to those with a degree. Additionally, I have access to internships and other opportunities that will help me gain valuable experience in the field I’m interested in.

Strategies for Overcoming Challenges

Everyone faces difficulties at some point in their life and it is how we handle them that really matters. One of the most important things I have learned on my journey is the importance of developing a strong support system. Having a support system in place gives you the guidance, encouragement, and motivation you need to work through your challenges. I have found that having a few trusted people in my corner who can provide a listening ear, offer advice, and provide emotional support has helped me immensely.

Having someone to talk to and ask for advice has been incredibly beneficial in helping me stay motivated and reach my goals. Mentors are incredibly valuable resources as they can provide insights that I wouldn’t have been able to access on my own.

Conclusion

As a first generation college student, I am proud of the progress I have made so far. I have been able to build a successful college career with the support of my family and friends. I have faced and overcome numerous obstacles, and I know that the lessons I have learned will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have found that having an open mind, asking for help, and being proactive have been the keys to my success in college. I am looking forward to the future, and I am excited to see where my college journey will take me.

Twelve percent of high school graduates never attend or even enroll in a college or university. That is not a very monumental percentage, but it is the result of too much pressure placed on high school students’ shoulders to go to college. Some students, when they graduate from high school, decide not to attend college because they have found a job that they are getting paid well for, or they want to go into the trades. Some reasons why high school students and graduates feel it is not worth it to attend college are, that they do not find the right fit for them, it is too expensive and they do not want any student loans, or they know that having a college degree does not help in career paths as much anymore.

There are over five thousand colleges in the United States, and they all are very different from one another. One could spend days or months trying to find the right fit for them, but for some people, there will never be a perfect fit. Some colleges might have the perfect on-campus vibe but do not offer the subject they want to major in, and others might be the complete opposite. Most of the time, students have to pick one or the other, but some students do not want to pick one and just give up the search. It is not everyone’s dream to sit in a classroom, listening to a teacher’s lecture, keeping track of all of their assignments and homework while keeping jobs to be able to take out loans to pay for the sometimes worthless education that they are getting. The majority of young adults never end up using their degree when they graduate and get an adult job.

College is very expensive. Over half of college students will graduate with large student loans. Most of these college graduates will still be paying off student loan debt until their mid-forties. This will set many people back and

Twelve percent of high school graduates never attend or even enroll in a college or university. That is not a very monumental percentage, but it is the result of too much pressure placed on high school students’ shoulders to go to college. Some students, when they graduate from high school, decide not to attend college because they have found a job that they are getting paid well for, or they want to go into the trades. Some reasons why high school students and graduates feel it is not worth it to attend college are, that they do not find the right fit for them, it is too expensive and they do not want any student loans, or they know that having a college degree does not help in career paths as much anymore.

There are over five thousand colleges in the United States, and they all are very different from one another. One could spend days or months trying to find the right fit for them, but for some people, there will never be a perfect fit. Some colleges might have the perfect on-campus vibe but do not offer the subject they want to major in, and others might be the complete opposite. Most of the time, students have to pick one or the other, but some students do not want to pick one and just give up the search. It is not everyone’s dream to sit in a classroom, listening to a teacher’s lecture, keeping track of all of their assignments and homework while keeping jobs to be able to take out loans to pay for the sometimes worthless education that they are getting. The majority of young adults never end up using their degree when they graduate and get an adult job.

College is very expensive. Over half of college students will graduate with large student loans. Most of these college graduates will still be paying off student loan debt until their mid-forties. This will set many people back and not allow them to take a vacation, buy a house, or make any very large purchases. Many college students will work at least three jobs to try to be able to pay off their loans earlier than others, but many times it does not help as much as they want. In order to truly get ahead, students have to start saving money and get multiple jobs in high school, which can be hard on the students and set even more pressure on teens.

In 2002, having a college degree set college graduates far ahead of other people when applying for a job in a specific career path. Now, in 2018, that is most definitely not the case. Nowadays, a college degree is worth the same as a high school diploma used to be worth in 2002. This means that teens have to work harder in high school to be further ahead in college, which means that it will take less time for them to get bigger degrees. This again sets so much pressure on high school students to get things done faster in high school.

There are not very many students who decide to not attend college or even enroll in college, but there are many students who decide to take the risk and pay thousands of dollars for a good education and to prepare them for the real world. College is the perfect step between high school, where everything is regulated, and being a fully functioning adult, where there are no rules or regulations. College gives young adults the freedom to choose their schedules and classes, where they live, and day-to-day stuff, but they still have a few rules. However, to be able to get to the point where college can be a fun learning experience for young adults, so much work and preparation has to be done in high school.

There is too much pressure on high school students to attend college. The weight that high schools place on their student’s shoulders creates so much more stress in their lives than there needs to be. High school is supposed to be about learning materials and making friends in social environments. High school students should not be worrying about finding the perfect college, or the money side of going to college or taking extra classes in high school to put themselves ahead of their classmates. Nowadays, students have as much stress as patients in insane asylums in the 1900’s. High school should be focused on doing the best you can do, without having to worry about what the colleges expect them to do. Teens should have the final say on whether they would like to attend college or not.

‘Mona Lisa Smile’ explores college life through feminism, marriage, and gender roles by way of a progressive teacher at the end of a traditional era (Goldsmith-Thomas & Newell, 2003). The film begins in the fall of 1953 at the start of a new semester at Wellesley College, the prestigious all-girls institution in Boston, Massachusetts. The film’s plot revolves around Katherine Watson, a 30-something year old, unmarried, art history professor who arrives at Wellesley from California bringing with her modernism and an eagerness to be an impetus for change at the aversion of the conservative, built-on-tradition institution’s faculty, alumna, and astute student body.

Through her lectures, which veer from the approved syllabus, Watson strives to open her students’ minds to new ideas and paths for their lives. She challenges her students to break tradition, to pursue careers they are interested in, and to see beyond graduation or a wedding, whichever comes first. Her lessons are used as a way to share her views with the students; that women must not conform to stereotypes society imparts, or the roles they have traditionally taken on, as women born to become housewives and mothers.

Watson’s views and ways of teaching are seemed as subversive by the school’s administration and board of directors; traditionalist women and alumnae who believe Watson should stick to the outlined curriculum. The administration warns Watson against pushing her progressive agenda and even threaten termination if she continues to interact with students as she has been doing. Instigated by their criticism, Watson’s lessons become even more fervent in impressing feminism and the future of women. She is adamant that her students must not settle to be housewives, but should pursue careers and societal change for women. Though she encourages her students to think independently, she inadvertently attempts to conform them to her own ideas as an endorsement and validation of the life she has chosen to lead. When she has this revelation and recognizes they have a right to choose their own paths, she chooses to leave Wellesley after only one year. However, as she is driving away from campus, her students chase after her car, evidence of the impact and lasting influence she had on the group of young women.

The film is a glimpse at the evolution and role of college for women in America. A particularly summation of this discord is when Watson exclaims in disgust, “It’s brilliant, really. A perfect ruse. A finishing school disguised as a college…I thought I was headed to a place that would turn out tomorrow’s leaders, not their wives!”. Though the students were the best and brightest, from the highest of society, the societal expectation was still for them to marry during or directly following their undergraduate studies and not only that, but they should not consider pursuing careers outside of the home. Alas, their top-notch education and prestigious degree form Wellesley was still only an M.R.S. degree. However, as emphasized by the president of the college, Wellesley was proud to be able to afford women a premier college education, something inconceivable only decades prior.

‘Mona Lisa Smile’ artfully portrays the role college plays in student development. Through formal lectures, communal living, and social independence we see familial ideas and views being challenged, emergence of sexuality, exposure to progressive or controversial moral topics, such as contraceptives and extramarital affairs. Additionally, the film portrays the important role of traditions, student newspapers, and alumnae to a college. Each element was influential in the college’s hiring, firing, and administrative practice. Lastly, the film showcases the example of the level of engagement a professor can only dream of in a college class when every pupil shows up to the first day of class having already completed every reading on the syllabus. Overall, the film addresses several issues of the time it is set, and some issues higher education still wrestles with today.

However, there were several problematic and negative issues of college and education presented within the film. Although most are likely historically accurate, these depictions reinforce gender stereotypes, sexual assault on college campuses, and homophobia. Examples of this, include one tradition of chasing a baby carriage to predict who will first bear a child, one male professors’ promiscuity with his students and the administration’s ability to not address this obvious abuse of power, and the firing of a lesbian school nurse. One particularly salient portion of this reinforcement of gender and deviation from nearby Harvard’s course curriculum, were the courses taught by Watson’s housemate which included etiquette, hostessing, and deportment.

The film was produced and screened in 2003, and the reality is, it is easy to decide whether Pollock’s splatters are really art 50 years after the question’s been resolved than it is to deal with the issues of today. It is easy to laugh at the pressed aprons, pin curls, and gendered advertisements of the 50s than examine our own hypersexualized mass media industry. It is easier to take on an extremely black-and-white version of the issue of creating space for women in academia and the workplace in midcentury America than try to answer it in the present, after 50 years of critiquing systems and practices surrounding the dilemma. It’s always easier to rewrite, exaggerate, and evaluate history than to deal with our own systems of oppression.

References

1. Goldsmith-Thomas, E., Schindler, D., & Schiff, P. (Producers), & Konner, L., & Rosenthal, M. (Writers), & Newell, M. (Director). (2003). Mona Lisa Smile [Motion picture]. United States: Columbia Pictures.

Everyone in life has faced a problem. There is not one, single person that has never gone through a diligent hardship. Some people face difficulties every day. Personally, my life has gone pretty well. However, the biggest complication I am worried about is getting into a good college and being able to pay for it. Getting into a college is very important to me. Although, it isn’t quite that easy. Going to college is an enormous responsibility, a large chunk of money, and a necessity to get good grades in high school.

College can be fun, but also very stressful for many. If I decide to live on my own at college it will not always be that fun. I have to cook a meal every time I am hungry. I have to do my own laundry every week at the least. I also am responsible for doing the dishes and keeping up with the cleaning. Along with all of that, comes the tremendous heap of homework. The worst part is, the amount of money it is to stay on campus. I will most likely live at home if the college I chose to go to is near. I, personally, have a job; however, it is a lot more money than the amount of money I have made. College is a large amount of money just counting tuition. This is a large problem most high school kids face. I am going to start working a lot more during the summer. For right now, with sports, my life stays pretty busy. I work on the weekends and on Tuesday nights. The last problem about college is keeping my grades up in high school. Personally, I do really well in school. My goal is to keep working hard and achieving my goals. In college, it is going to be a challenge. It will be way more difficult to keep good grades in college. I plan to do something in the medical field which requires at least

Everyone in life has faced a problem. There is not one, single person that has never gone through a diligent hardship. Some people face difficulties every day. Personally, my life has gone pretty well. However, the biggest complication I am worried about is getting into a good college and being able to pay for it. Getting into a college is very important to me. Although, it isn’t quite that easy. Going to college is an enormous responsibility, a large chunk of money, and a necessity to get good grades in high school.

College can be fun, but also very stressful for many. If I decide to live on my own at college it will not always be that fun. I have to cook a meal every time I am hungry. I have to do my own laundry every week at the least. I also am responsible for doing the dishes and keeping up with the cleaning. Along with all of that, comes the tremendous heap of homework. The worst part is, the amount of money it is to stay on campus. I will most likely live at home if the college I chose to go to is near. I, personally, have a job; however, it is a lot more money than the amount of money I have made. College is a large amount of money just counting tuition. This is a large problem most high school kids face. I am going to start working a lot more during the summer. For right now, with sports, my life stays pretty busy. I work on the weekends and on Tuesday nights. The last problem about college is keeping my grades up in high school. Personally, I do really well in school. My goal is to keep working hard and achieving my goals. In college, it is going to be a challenge. It will be way more difficult to keep good grades in college. I plan to do something in the medical field which requires at least 4 years of college.

Going to college is an enormous responsibility, a large chunk of money, and a necessity to get good grades in high school. I plan to overcome this large hardship by maturing and taking more responsibility, working more to earn more money, and achieving good grades.

In the present society, secondary instruction could mean the contrast between neediness and living comfortably. So, for what reason is there such an enormous number of individuals who don’t set off for college to get additional instruction? The answer is straightforward: they don’t have the money to pay for it. Countless individuals in the United States skip setting off for college and getting a degree because college tuition cost, just like other college expenses, is too expensive (Josephson). In addition to the fact that people skip college on account of the loss of college tuition cost, a few students change majors from a career they love to a profession that will satisfy the obligation from their degree (Josephson). This distinction could be fixed by basically wiping out education costs. This appears to be a simple answer to a significant issue. In any case, there as yet countless individuals who wrongly accept college tuition costs ought not to be free. Opposers to free college tuition see what could turn out badly, rather than seeing what might go right, similar to an expansion in the number of individuals who attend a university, a decline in the number of student debts are in during, and well after, college, and constructive outcomes on the economy. College tuition costs ought to be free since it would make endless helpful changes for people, colleges, and the economy.

One constructive change is that free college tuition cost would make lift the level of individuals who head off to college, as opposed to skipping it and working an impasse work. For example, enrollment for German universities rose twenty-two percent after tuition became free (Marcus). Notwithstanding, Germany isn’t the leading nation to encounter an increase in enlistment in the rise of disposing of tuition costs. Scotland, for instance, had an expansion in enrollment by seventeen percent in the wake of casting off, or dropping, education costs. This expansion in the number of individuals who enlist for college would occur for the United States if it, as well, was to kill tuition costs. ‘Georgetown University’s Center for Education predicts that university enrollment in the United States would increase thirteen percent if it too were to take a tuition-free stand’ (Marcus). ‘This boost in enrollment means more people would receive a wider range of knowledge and skills, which are necessary as more and more jobs require postsecondary education (Bergeron). Like this, dropping education costs and expanding enlistment rates would assist more with peopling both verify and keep work. Given this, free tuition cost appears to be an easy decision.

Notwithstanding higher enrollment rates, free college tuition costs would help various students decline the measure of debt they graduate with. As stated by a member of the German students’ union, Mandy Gratz, ‘We don’t want students to go into debt because they want to study.’ (Marcus) Even though countless college students already have a large amount of debt from living expenses, such as rent, books, supplies, and transportation (Marcus). For example, Claudia Niessler, a college student in Germany, who has free tuition, still has to work a minimum of twenty hours a week at the supermarket to make enough to cover the average living expenses mentioned above (Marcus). At the point when a college tuition cost is added to this, which in the United States is an assurance, students get debt that it takes them years to get out of. Even with debt, a few students choose to forego their degree and drop out (Josephson), deciding to find a new line of work at a drive-through eatery or somewhere comparable to begin winning cash immediately. This, in any case, may not cut it soon, as it is anticipated that a bachelor’s or associate’s degree will be required for sixty-five percent of all occupations starting in 2020 (Bergeron). Given this, clearly, college tuition costs ought to be free.

Despite the fact that the answer to making college tuition cost-free appears to be an easy decision, there are still a few people who are doubtful on the grounds that they accept that free tuition cost would gravely affect the economy. They have these beliefs because free tuition would take away control over what people study, as they would no longer need to worry as much about their financial issues and allow them to get a degree for something they are passionate about, instead of something practical (Josephson). They proceed to interface this to a bombing economy because of an absence of control. Be that as it may, what the vast majority of these critics neglect to recognize is the way giving students free tuition costs, along these lines, decisions about their future careers would support the economy, not hurt it. For instance, most occupations require or will require a more elevated level of information, aptitudes, and capacities best procured through a college education (Bergeron). Nonetheless, with countless laborers that skip college since it is excessively costly, the United States will wind up failing to measure up to different nations with laborers who are better instructed and arranged to manage what the twenty-first century requires (Bergeron). This means that the less educated the American population is, the worse off the United States economy is. If college tuition were free, then more people would go to college and get the degrees needed for them to thrive and help the economy thrive. Also, the country’s productivity and GDP would increase as more people found more suitable and higher-ranking jobs (Josephson). So, in reality, making tuition free wouldn’t worsen the economy, but make it better.

There are a few, however, who can’t help contradicting free tuition costs, saying that an expansion in enrollment without tuition cost would make colleges lose a significant wellspring of income (Marcus). They proceed with this contention by expressing that tuition cost is too imperative to even think about losing, as a huge bit of these charges is utilized to help look into colleges (Leslie). What critics arguing this don’t consider is that with the additional individuals comes a rise in the measure of money the college acquires. Some may consider how this would be conceivable since the universities would never again have the tuition costs. However, the appropriate response is straightforward: they would replace the missing wages with cash earned from grounds organizations and events. Colleges and Universities have on-grounds stores and nourishment courts that enable students to buy nourishment, drinks, and books for classes, thus significantly more. Also, colleges and universities have a few unique associations and extracurricular exercises that students need to purchase passes to go to as an onlooker, just as the cash acquired from snack bars on these occasions (Life and Student). There are likewise a few gifts, and items students and families can purchase to help the college in which they visit (Life and Student), which most students do. Herefore, making tuition free wouldn’t cost the college money, but make their money, in addition to helping the student population stay in a good financial position.

In conclusion, tuition costs ought to be free since it would make incalculable positive changes. The free tuition cost wouldn’t simply help understudies attempting to get degrees, yet it would likewise support colleges and the economy. There may, in any case, be some that discover this announcement false, in any case, they are incorrect. Individuals who hadn’t thought college and postsecondary training was a plausibility would at long last have the option to consider and design it. With every one of the individuals at long last showing signs of improvement training, the United States economy would be better. Likewise, there wouldn’t be the same number of individuals searching for a vocation incapable of discovering one since they don’t fulfill the necessary guideline of having an advanced education. A college degree is necessary, empowering, and everyone who wishes to have one should get the opportunity to earn one.

In recent years, there has been a debate about whether or not college should be for everyone. Contrary to those who oppose attending college, citing the fact that not all fields require a degree, the vast majority of today’s generation still consider it an essential step. Thus, the question arises as to what motivates people to go to college anyway.

From my perspective, most students today make the decision to go to college mainly because more and more jobs now are demanding degrees. Many employers are now looking for individuals and sometimes only hire those with a degree. Not only will many companies hire college graduates, but they will also pay higher wages and offer better benefits. As stated on www.brighthub.com, “The earning potential of a person who completes a college degree significantly increases after leaving college. It is a reality that most businesses base their reward system on educational achievements or how much training was completed for a particular job. The higher your knowledge, skills, or abilities, then the higher your reward”.

A graduate with a bachelor’s degree is going to have more job opportunities as well as more ways to ‘move up’ than a graduate without. For example, one of the most reliable jobs to be working currently is accounting, and it is also consistently one of the highest in demand. If someone wanted to move up and become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), they would, at the very least, need a bachelor’s degree. My mother is currently a CPA, and if she didn’t go to college and received her degree, she wouldn’t be where she is today.

It is definitely possible to make a great living without a college degree, however, jobs such as a car salesman or real estate agent are not very substantial in regards to their earnings. During one year, a real estate agent can make an excellent amount of money, but might only make minimum wage in the following year. Some may say that working in something like construction would be a guaranteed stable living, but someone could easily experience a career-ending injury, forcing them to only receive money through a physical disability. Having a college degree nullifies many of these potential risks and will assist anyone with their aspirations for the future.

College is a valuable asset for anyone looking to find their place in the world. It can open up many paths for a graduate to take and provides the resources they need to get there. Once someone gets through college and begins looking for a job, they will have many advantages over high school graduates. That is why more and more people now choose to attend it.

Entering college is a frightening and daunting experience for most students. It’s one of those times where the fear of the unknown is the most frightening of all fears. We’re not sure whether we’ll be able to adapt to a situation in which every student must stand on their own two feet and take responsibility for their education and future. This is the most critical change of our lives, from high school to college. Unfortunately, some college students feel that attending college is purely to seek a career. I must confess that I was one of those students. Nonetheless, my college experience has taught me that college is all about discovering yourself, who you are as an individual, and who you want to be.

I had no idea what course I should follow in high school. Should I continue working, go to college, or join the military? It’s a life-changing decision that’s held me up for several nights. My results were outstanding, and my peers either praised or mocked me for my intellect. School, on the other hand, did not appeal to me. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and, as a member of the post-9/11 generation, I was more concerned with what was going on in the world. I was on the brink of joining the army when I realized I couldn’t physically do so. The obvious choice seemed to be college. Until two of my closest friends were kidnapped before I turned eighteen. My future was the furthest thing from my mind. My grades have fallen, my heart has been shattered, and my life has been ripped apart. I got my diploma, but I didn’t think college was the solution to my problems. I moved out on my own, worked in a restaurant, and simply hung out with my neighborhood friends. Every day, I felt like I was squandering my talent and life by becoming a ‘normal’ person. After that, I went to my sister’s high school graduation to hear the valedictorian speech. “Our greatest glory in life is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”, he said, and it has stayed with me ever since. That single line shifted my perspective on life. I decided that going to college was the only way I could progress in my life. However, money was tight, and I had no idea what I was going to research. I knew that community college would be my only chance to put my experience behind me and move forward. I had no idea how much it would affect and change my life.

Community college is sometimes portrayed as a safety net for high school graduates who lack the financial resources or academic credentials to attend a four-year university. However, I realized right away that community college meant something more. It assisted me in making the transition from high school to a wider world full of new people and experiences. You don’t have to live in a dorm, you can set your own schedule, and you have access to a wealth of services. Libraries, computers, and tutors are all easily available.

I was a little confused by the college experience during my first semester. Nonetheless, as I interacted with other students, I started to feel more at ease. They may have come from a different state or region, but their concerns and fears are the same as mine. Getting enough money to pay the bills, spending sleepless nights preparing for a test, and working while attending school all led to my view of community college as a place where a student would take a deep breath and enter the overwhelming world of college with ease.

One question persisted as I became more at ease in my new surroundings: ‘What do I want to do with my life?’. I’ve been told and complimented on my writing since middle school. I didn’t know how seriously I took every essay I got or every story idea I had at the time. Every word I wrote was personal to me, and it held a personal significance. In high school, I was forced to make others read my work, and they all praised it. They’d even ask me to assist them with their article. Not to write it, but to steer it in the right direction. I started taking every paper seriously during my freshman year of college. I will still see my professors’ feedback as an opportunity to change. In my second year, I took a creative writing class, and it was the best class I’d ever taken. It was motivating to have the whole class read and criticize my work. It encouraged me to share my strengths and weaknesses with others. In this class, I realized I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to concentrate on journalism and English as my main subjects. Writing to me was a welcome break from my hectic life, and it helped me share my thoughts on people and the state of the world today. Never before has anything had such a profound effect on me. More importantly, writing has pushed me to question myself as a person who has been through too much and yet manages to get up every day and face the world. I would not have learned this if I had not attended community college. I created my own schedule and met some interesting people along the way, including a special friend who encouraged me and helped me pursue a specific path. One of my works is on the verge of becoming a reality, and I’m proud of that.

I would not have believed it if you told me that five years ago. However, I can now see that community college is an important institution that can lead you to examine yourself and reveal your true self. And now I understand why I am here and what I want to achieve.

In his essay “Colleges Prepare People for Life,” Freeman Hrabowski believes that families should investigate all their options in getting higher education despite any hindering situation they are in. It has become common today to dismiss college because of the financial burden that comes with it; however, Hrabowski points out that if people took the time to figure out what school options there are, they could find an institution that fits their financial and academic needs (Hrabowski 260). How, though, do families get the information they need about colleges? Hrabowski indicates that for options to be clearer, families need to seek aid from counselors, and institutions must give more information about what they offer and expect from students (Hrabowski 260-261).

While they rarely admit as much, some people often take for granted the opportunity that getting a college degree has in their lifetime. Financially speaking, Hrabowski points out that most jobs are more likely to hire those with more than just a high school diploma (Hrabowski 260). He holds the school systems responsible for dispensing this information to students and finds that the programs provided for college preparation need more recognition (Hrabowski 261). College preparatory programs, in his opinion, should be better organized and advertised so that students can be more informed about what college has to offer (Hrabowski 261). The problem with college preparation programs is how costly they are, Hrabowski, however, proclaims that higher education institutions need to partner with school systems to make these programs more available to students (Hrabowski 261). These opportunities are what lead students into the world they are going to live in. Overall, Hrabowski reminds of the power education has in guiding people’s lives, and how getting a liberal arts education in college allows students to gain not just financial stability but also the ability to think more broadly (Hrabowski 262).

A primary theme present in all the readings is that information about higher education options should be more accessible to families. Owen and Sawhill believe that students should explore the various college options available and discover which gives them the best rate of return (Owen and Sawhill 213), while Addison claims that community colleges should be advertised just as highly as universities as they are just as capable of helping students succeed in life (Addison 257-258). Similarly, Murray points out that people have several ways to do what they are passionate about, even though he doesn’t agree that everyone should attend college he still acknowledges the various types of institutions students can go to, such as going to a technical school or an apprenticeship (Murray 248-249). Along the same line, Hrabowski’s idea that students should be informed about these options by getting a counselor (Hrabowski 260) follows Murray’s opinion that guidance counselors can help students understand different circumstances going out of high school (Murray 249); however; Murray also points out that many guidance counselors and family members push the idea of college too harshly, and that by doing so they are being thoughtless about the young person’s life (Murray 249). Despite these similarities, Alexander focuses more on the financial solutions of college, while Ungar and Wallace focus on how a liberal arts education is important in its ability to enhance the aspects of someone’s life (Ungar 227); however, Ungar does present the idea of attending cheaper liberal arts schools for those with financial problems (Ungar 231).

Introduction

As a Maths Tutor at a Further Education College, I face a challenge when it comes to teaching 16 – 19-year-olds. The main issue is that of the learner’s mindset coming into college. I shall be looking into the causes of low/fixed mindset and the effect it has on learning. This will allow me to observe trends in behavior/thinking which will allow me to reflect and offer possible solutions, as well as determine where to further my research.

Critical analysis

Mindset is a complex issue faced by teachers as it limits morale, participation, and motivation. According to Mindset UK (n.d, p 1), it is a ‘set of beliefs that affects how you think, feel and behave’. There are 2 theories relating to mindset -discussed by Blackwell, Trzesniewski & Dweck (2007): Fixed mindset (also referred to as entity theory)- relating to a belief that you are born with a set amount of intelligence that cannot be changed and so is self-limiting; and Growth mindset (or incremental theory)- where the individual believes that intelligence is a ‘malleable quality that can be developed’ with hard work and persistence.

Mindset is related to various learning theories: Behaviourism- based on positive reinforcement which results in reactive learning; Cognitivism- relating to internal cognitive processes resulting in responsive learning; and Constructivism- based on the theory that ‘people construct their understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences’ Bereiter (1994, cited in Sarita, 2017, pg 183). It is constantly changing and affected by both internal and external opinions and attitudes as well as past and present experiences. Humanist theory is also linked to mindset as it is through reflection that ‘free thinking’ occurs.

All the students that are taking GCSE mathematics are students who have either previously failed their GCSE or who have very low math ability and so have never been entered for the GCSE. The recent change in legislation, that has come about as a result of the Review of Vocational Education – The Wolf Report, has resulted in thousands of students having to stay in compulsory education until the age of 19, with mandatory Maths and English for those who have failed to achieve a grade 4 (in the new grading system) or equivalent. This has led the learners, who are resitting their GCSEs, to already feel like a failure at the subject as well as resulting in unmotivated, unwilling learners who do not want to be there.

A fixed mindset is limiting for both those with low and above-average intelligence. The low level believes they are poor at an activity and so they have limited motivation to participate in the activity, whereas the more able learners think they are good at something and so become complacent in their learning assuming they don’t need to put in the work to achieve a higher understanding.

The issues with the learner’s mindset have not just been caused by having to resit their exam but are an accumulation of past experiences, learned behaviors, and their beliefs about intelligence, as well as the negative feelings surrounding these. The learner’s mental well-being and self-worth can also be factors in their mindset, as anxiety and depression can lead to negative thinking and lower the individual’s self-belief. This can also lead to stress which can result in a loss of working memory which is vital for learning according to Weisberg & Reeves’, (2013) Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model of memory which proposes 3 different types of memory processes: sensory, short-term, and long-term. Where the working memory/short-term memory is the store of information that is readily available to use. Other factors that affect working memory include an individual’s cognitive load (their capacity for holding information); the mental effort or concentration they can give the task at a given time, their intellectual capacity, and how relevant/interesting the individual feels the information to be.

Childhood experiences, around maths, can also lead to a fixed mindset if the learner never fully grasped the basic concepts and so has repeatedly failed to comprehend more complicated topics that build upon the basic knowledge. In these cases, the child gets left behind and never catches up. They think of themselves as incapable of doing maths and come to accept that as a fact. This has led to: barriers to learning; a deterrent to participation; it being culturally acceptable to be innumerate; and the ‘‘I can’t do maths’ has become a self-fulfilling prophecy’ (National Numeracy, n.d, pg 10).

Cognition

Dweck’s (2000), Theories of Intelligence

Another issue surrounding math ability is low motivation. The learners claim to not care about passing their mathematics GCSE and so are unwilling to put in the work. This can be a result of various internal factors (a lack of intrinsic motivation; being scared of failing; low aspirations; not seeing the value of being numerate; or a lack of interest in the subject/topic) or external factors (learned behaviour from parents or family members; Socio-economic class; or they could have issues outside of the classroom that distract from the topic at hand.

Strategies

The development of a growth mindset is proposed through interventions relating to

• Intelligence (show that it is not fixed)
• Potential ( only achieved through constant learning)
• Validation (learner can be own person)
• Challenge (a positive force, be willing to fail)
• Learning (value for itself)

Firstly Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1954), determines that learning cannot take place unless an individual’s basic needs are met (Gravells, 2013). By considering Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, I can help ensure learning occurs effectively by creating a suitable classroom environment. Gravells, A. (2013). The Award in Education and Training. London: Learning Matters an imprint of SAGE Publications Ltd.

The brain is very complex so strategies to overcome the effect of mindset need connectivism

Dweck (2008, cited in Lambert, 2014, p.51), suggests that praise is a key factor when addressing mindset and that compliments such as ‘you’re very smart’ can lead to a fixed mindset as the focus is on the result. Instead, the praise should be around the process and the effort that has been put in, giving such praise as ‘you worked very hard’.

Should the college implement a mandatory attendance policy? The claim of fact: Will improve GPA Claim of value: Forcing college students to attend violates the choice of excellence Claim of policy: The college should mandate an attendance policy to hold students accountable for their actions. Introduction ‘ Can the policy be harmful to enrollment? ‘ College is the beginning of adult decisions and responsibilities. ‘ Claim of policy: The college should mandate an attendance policy to hold students accountable for their actions. Opposition ‘ Forcing students to attend class violates their freedom of choice. ‘Professors are not attendances keepers. ‘ Students are adults and have other responsibilities that supersede class at times. Supporting ‘ Does attendance improve performance? ‘ Understanding the expectations upfront holds adults at a higher standard of expectations when penalties are assessed in addition to just missed time. ‘ Students can be fined monetarily as well as loose points. Conclusion ‘ Mandatory attendance can be beneficial for academic excellence. ‘

College attendance improves performance. Attendance is taught to us at a young age that it is important and vital for success as a responsible adults in the future. When we are in high school and earlier we are faced with charges of truancy and even expulsion if we don’t attend classes as we should. Why is it that so many college students seem to forget that and begin dismissing classes? Is there too much freedom for college students? Do they need to be held to higher standards? If they continually miss class without true reasons should they be forced to pay a fine? If a college has a policy in place for attendance it has been known to have a bigger impact on the student to attend classes than if a school does not have one in place. The positive effects include improving the understanding of course material which leads to better grades on quizzes and tests. The reduction of stress on classmates has also been shown to be a positive as then it does not take away from the learning capabilities of the rest of the students. Some of the negative impacts can be that the professors/Instructors are thought to be attendance guardians and have to consistently watch for students who don’t show up.

Students may also feel if they are forced to attend classes that they are not being treated like adults and that there are too many requirements which could lead to students withdrawing from the course or college altogether. One way to alleviate some of the pressure and arguments about attendance could be by stating that if you miss more than three classes without a valid doctor’s note or reason you will not only lose a letter grade but you will also be required to pay a fine of up to $50.00 per class that you miss. These penalties could set the standard and expectation of performance for the term. This would not only help show the students that they are going to be held accountable as an adult but the money can be put back into the college for updating computer labs, beautification of the campus, or other needs the campus. On the other hand, some students and faculty would believe that enforcing a mandatory attendance policy would reduce enrollment, decrease morale, and stifle the ability to freely express a student’s desire to change their schedule or implement alternate plans than to attend class. A study conducted by Daniel R. Marburger his research concluded that ‘Students who were absent during a class period were 9 to 14 percent more likely to respond incorrectly to a question pertaining to material covered in their absences than were students who were present. In the absence of a mandatory attendance policy, absenteeism rose continually throughout the semester. By the final third of the semester, the daily percentage of students who were absent in the no-policy class more than doubled.’ (Marburger, 2006).

Understanding this expectation and the importance that the direct involvement the student has in their education from the beginning can only continue to set them up for success toward the end of the course. Penalties would not have to be assessed when maturity and responsibility become the common factor that guides the student to class. Overall, mandatory class attendance can benefit both the student and the college by encouraging the student to uphold responsibility in their actions, follow through with a commitment, and preserver through adversity. The college benefits by continually producing scholars with higher academically averaged students that will soon venture into society and continue to push the limits and challenge those around them to excel through leadership and mentor youth to challenge themselves to succeed as they themselves accomplished. References Marburger, D. R. (2006). Does Mandatory Attendance Improve Student Performance? Journal of Economic Education, 148.