Selasa, 08 Januari 2013

Education - How Important Is College?

This is a debate that has and will go on until the world itself stops spinning.  But the truth is, the way the world is constantly changing, a college education isn't the be all and end all that it used to be.  That is not to say that college isn't important.  But how importantall  Well, that all depends on what you want to do with your life.  We'll take a look at some of the factors involved in determining just how important college will be to you.

The first thing that even a good teacher will admit, is that not everybody is suited for college.  Some students just don't have the smarts or the grades.  That is not to say that they can't be successful in life without getting an education after high school that involves going to a fancy university.

Let's face it.  A lot of this world is run by people who work with their hands.  Think you're going to get through life without having a sink clog that's so bad that no amount of Liquid Plumber is going to get it out?  It happens.  Plus, pipes get old, rusty and fall apart.  For these jobs we need plumbers.  Try to imagine a life without one.  Well, in case you didn't know, plumbers don't have to go to college.  A good technical school specializing in things like plumbing and heating is all the education these people need.  The schools specialize in just what they need to learn to get the job done.  They don't have to take English Lit and Chemistry and there's no need for them to have to.

Having said that, if you want to be a doctor, well, college is pretty much the least of your worries because that is only a preview of the real work ahead of you, four years of medical school.  Same thing if you're planning on being a lawyer.  There's about three years of law school after that.

But what if you want to do something that's sort of in between technical and the college "professions?" For example, let's just say you want to work in a bank as a teller?  Do you really need to go to college for that?  Certainly everything you've needed to learn to do a job that simple has been learned in high school.  So what is college going to do for you?  Will it help you get the job any easier?  Will it make the job itself any easier?  This is where many people disagree.

The die hard college advocates argue that, because the competition is so fierce for even the simplest of jobs, not having a college education is the same as cursing yourself to a life of unemployment.  The argument is that everyone goes to college today and not to go is plain suicide.  Doesn't matter if you really need it or not.  You just have to go in order to have any chance.

Those who aren't so gung ho college argue that there are kids that just don't belong there and to keep them from earning a living for another four years and on top of that add another $100,000 plus to their debt is just plain ridiculous.  These kids should find jobs right away.  Even by working in a shipping department, if you get in with a good company, you can work your way up to the point where you're making a nice living.

So who's right and who's wrong?  Most likely, there is no right or wrong.  Everybody is different and each student has to decide what is best for him or her.            Helping Your Child Get The Best Education

Many parents are concerned about the quality of their children's education today. Times have changed and kids are under so much stress, they find it difficult to focus on their studies. Teachers are forced to meet quotas and pass kids through the system. Parents are busy juggling careers, home life, and social activities. With all these distractions, it is easy to see why the quality of education suffers. When education fails, our kids pay a high price.

It may seem cliché, but it is still true. To get ahead in the world, you need a good education. To succeed in college or trade school, you must first succeed in grade school and high school. Below are some things you can do to help make sure your child gets the best education possible.

First, start with the school. Make sure you send your child to a school that cares about kids and has programs in place to help them succeed. You have many options. You may consider private schools, public schools, or even home schooling. Your family may have to make sacrifices to get into a good school, but it will be worth the effort.

Once you have decided upon a school, you must stay closely involved with your child's progress. Get to know the teachers and principals. Stay informed about homework requirements and your child's progress. The most successful students are the ones with parents who are involved with the school system.

Make learning a priority. Set up a structured learning environment at home and allot a specific time each day to devote to schoolwork. Never put social obligations ahead of school obligations. Let your children know from the time they are very young that school and getting a good education have high priority in the home.

Give your child as much help as he needs so he can succeed in his lessons. You may need to go over his homework every night. You may even need to hire a tutor if your child struggles with certain subjects. Your child needs to see success in order to be motivated to try harder. Although he needs to do the work himself in order to learn, you can support him as much as possible so he doesn't carry a burden that is too heavy.

It may be necessary to limit extra curricular activities too. Your child needs an active social life to be happy and fit in at school. But if sports and clubs interfere with the time needed for studying, it may be time to rethink your schedule. Rushing your child from soccer practice to band practice and the squeezing in meals is a stressful way to live and that may negatively affect his ability to focus on school studies.

Remember, that with your help, your child can be a success in school and in life. It doesn't matter if your child attends Catholic schools, inner city schools, or alternative schools, as long as you are his biggest supporter and fan, he will be more likely to stay motivated to succeed. With a solid education behind him, he will be equipped for a brighter future.           

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