POINT OF VIEW COLUMN: College a challenge
Teresa Tribbett
Finally, we are on the downward spiral of the fall semester. Within the course of these past months, I have heard many grumbling complaints regarding time management, unfair work loads, and of course, the general stress of just being a student. At this time, I would like to say that while I empathize with these statements, I also have a slightly different attitude.
I am a returning student after being in the work force for a relatively short thirteen years. With only a high school education, I have held many positions ranging from a grocery/deli clerk to an administrative assistant at a bank.
Before entering the work force, I always believed that as an adult one was hired for their knowledge and ideas. In other words, one would get paid to think, even when the job consisted of manual labor. After all, ideas would lead to better production and would be respected within that industry.
What I discovered, however, was that without a college education, I was typically paid to simply perform the tasks at hand. My personal knowledge and ideas were often dismissed due to my lack of educational credentials.
After thirteen years, I made a personal resolution to become a college graduate. In contrast to my previous beliefs, instead of receiving payment for my knowledge, ironically I am now paying instructors to force me to think and to express my ideas.
As returning students, I imagine you may be able to relate to some of my experiences. As young students, you are extremely fortunate to have a head start on life. Upon entering the work force, not only will your earning power be generous; you will earn the respect of your peers from your prior collegiate accomplishments.
So, the next time you begin to feel disgruntled, I urge you to think of the alternatives and try to embrace the situation as a challenge offering windows of opportunity.