It's so easy to get swept up in the anti-college debates of the day:
Should tenure be abolished? Are the liberal arts necessary?

And at the top of the list, causing the most hand-wringing:
What can we do to tamp down the rising costs of a college education?

Let's remind ourselves of the reason we attend, in the first place. If your answer is "To qualify for a job," you're off base.

I'll share a story with you about the time I had a discussion with one of my professors, who was doubling as an undergraduate advisor.

"Why are you selecting this major?" he asked, which is a pertinent question.

"Because I want to get a degree and enjoy the process," I replied in utter candor. That was good enough for him, and without realizing the full import of what I said, I believe I uttered the magical words that unlock the fortress of wisdom.

College is not about qualifying for a particular vocation. There are trade techs that abound where you can learn about plumbing or electrical wiring.

Traditional colleges and universities, at least in the first two years of study, teach you to think by studying the great ideas of humankind. These concepts, articulated as they were by Emerson and Thoreau, by Freud and Pavlov, by Darwin and theologians, create the stuff of reflection and judgment that can serve us for a lifetime.

Listening to one's fellow students debating capital punishment in a speech class does much to prepare us to be citizens and leaders in democracies. We learn that the power to choose is accompanied by the responsibility to choose, wisely.

There is no other place quite like a university where ideas can be discussed as deeply, as meaningfully, and as thrillingly. Where else but in a student lounge can you see a Peanuts poster proudly displayed that shows Lucy and Charley Brown locked in dialogue with the caption that reads: "We don't get much done, but we have some great discussions!"

Speaking of plumbers, I went to school with one, and of all people we might think was a misfit in that milieu he was the opposite. He thrived, grateful for every morsel of knowledge he could retrieve to ponder as he plied his pickup to the next job. He was one of the best exemplars of "living in the moment" and preparing for the future that I have ever encountered.

I didn't keep up with him but I'll bet his years invested in the classroom paid off in tremendous satisfaction.

But did he earn more money with his degree?

If that question seems oddly out of place in this essay, it should. It is irrelevant.

The quality of life, and by that I would say nearly everyone's life, is improved with college study.

Price isn't value, and college isn't about money.

It's about the IDEAS, and about who and what we become in the process of pursuing them.

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Making the decision to go to school and actually find the right school to attend has probably been overwhelming. But you have finally made a decision and are in the process of getting things together for school. If you have been thinking about what you should bring with you to college, then the following will give you some in sight on what you should include in your college packing list.

The first thing that you will probably start packing is your clothing. You might want to bring all of the clothes that you own. But you should be aware that some schools require that you move all of your belongings from the dorm at the end of each semester. So you should limit the amount of clothing that you pack.

You will also need to bring toiletries and personal items. Toiletries would include items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. But you will also probably want to bring shower shoes (flip flops), a bathrobe, and a bathroom caddy. Many dorms have community bathrooms, where there is one bathroom that is centrally located on each floor. You would want the shower shoes to prevent your feet from getting in contact with the shower floor since other people may have conditions like athletes foot. The bathrobe is to keep you covered as you travel down the hall. And the bathroom caddy makes carrying personal items between your room and the bathroom easier.

Since you are going to school, you will want to bring school supplies. This would include items like a backpack, paper, pens and binders. You might also want to bring a computer so that you do not have to deal with lines or a time limit at the computer lab.

Each dorm will usually be furnished with at least a bed, closet, and a desk with a chair. But you may want to bring some items with you to make the room comfortable so that it feels a little more like home. These items might include a lamp, rug, and possibly some curtains.

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The process of studying for an exam can feel very overwhelming if you don't have good study skills. Often times this is the difference between those students who do well on exams and those students who barely get by. Learning exam study tips and increasing your study speed are tools that you need to become a better student and test taker. This article will provide five study tips that will help you become a better student and provide the benefits of studying faster.

Developing your study routine all starts with where you study. The idea is to find a place that is free from distraction. When studying it is important to block all distractions to maximize your focus. After finding the best place to study that is free of distractions use that same study place everytime. When to study will make a huge difference in your success. You need to start studying at least one week prior to the exam date and for really challenging exams you may need to start a week and a half to two weeks prior.

Proper note taking is another skill that will lead to better test performance. When taking notes be sure to write down key points of a lecture or class. Students often times do not write anything down when the teacher or professor does not write anything on the board. You have to listen and write key points down. At the end of everyday go back and review those notes to make sure they make sense. Re-write any notes that need clarification or notes that do not make sense. reviewing your notes at the end of everyday will save time when test preparation times rolls around.

Another tip is to highlight your textbook instead of underlining. Studies have shown that high lighting is a more effective way of memorizing the material. Instead of high lighting just key words and terms focus on high lighting key phrases and important material. Of course this does require you the student to read the chapters.

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Planning for college is one of the most important steps to take to succeed as students. You can create a personal path for your goals in higher education. . . It is easy to do!

Here's a practical 8 step plan:

Get a copy of the college catalog for your school. The guide lists all annual courses and are usually available at the campus library. The annual college catalog lists all courses and courseRequirements for all.

Look at the school's catalog and find the requirements for your major or degree. Be sure to take into account a general education, special conditions or requirements of the catalog.

Choose a class to meet every need and write a list. If possible, select a different class, will also meet the requirement. The flexible design allows you to maintain momentumTo obtain the qualification. It inevitably face obstacles in the form of classes full time class teacher and the occasional awkward prefer not be alone in a dark office.

Write the number of quarters, semesters, or are you going to college before the completion of your needs. Note: Your completion date is expected. It is best to choose a date ideal completion, and later in another case, it will take more time to meet the requirements for graduation, as sheoriginally planned. For example, you can choose to take a class or drop a leave of absence for personal reasons. Ask a consultant to the college, as many parts or semesters, you must visit before the school policy that you must graduate or a permit to emphasize. Many schools the number of units that can accumulate before declaring their intention to participate.

Divide the number of semesters of the transition from four the number of courses, you must complete inIn order to graduate. This number is the number of classes you must complete each semester will ask you to enter your pre-determined closing date. You may be required to take into account a minimum amount of attendance at training sessions, a student full time. Full-time status may be important for students seeking federal and state financial assistance. Talk to a financial aid counselor at the University, go up and check the free application for federal aid for helping with the FAQfinancial support of planning.

Write a caption for each semester (ie Fall 2008, Spring 2009, etc.) on a new list. Use the number from step five list, the number of categories from the list under each heading. Make sure you select the classes that make you happy at the same time. For example, you could have a choice at the same time that it takes a class to take a more intensive course load balancing. You can also register for enrollment in courses with similar subjectMatter during the same term to refer the benefits of cross-knowledge. Two assignments for courses in history the same type may result in domestic work, reedited to achieve the goal of each of two or more classes related target.

Make an appointment with a college counselor at your school and have him or her control plan. You can give helpful tips to guide you to resources or to have studies on it.

Be flexible. Sometimes a class isbecome available, it may be possible for the speed of your plan or you can fall behind. You may even find that your interests change completely and must adapt or create entirely new plan. With your plan, are stable in a position to make measurable progress and reach your goal!

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