Aug. 12th was my first day at Rogers State University in Claremore, OK and since then I’ve already: completed 2 group projects where we’ve presented information to the class; presented 1 persuasive speech where I’ve proposed that the legal drinking age be raised to 25; participated in class discussions around the stereotypes that north Tulsa carries; wrote a 4 page paper on a communication theory that states that minority opinions are not as openly and confidently shared as the majority opinions are; and I’ve conducted research on prostitution to gather evidence that both supports and rejects prostitution!
Pretty intense for only 1 month and 7 days!
Today while in class, I thought of 2 things that college does to us.
1. College develops public speaking skills. Writing and speaking are foundations to a sound education, and college courses demand these 2 basics. College requires you to speak in groups, often presenting information to your professor and peers.
This frightens everyone, but the more you do it the more comfortable you become. I have been required to share my thoughts in class as well as prepare arguments to persuade my class. College requires you to think, research, and speak- often forcing you to speak in front of a group.
2. College challenges your thinking. For starters, college tends to take us out of our comfortable and familiar environment. The people, the classroom setting, and course assignments force us to expand our thinking. We interact with various personalities, including students and professors, and the way we relate to others will significantly determine our success at college and in life!
We’re also exposed to a lot of information and theories. Some we agree with, some we don’t; but we respectfully receive it. College helps develop listening and thinking skills vs. rejecting and shutting down to viewpoints we don’t necessarily agree with.
No matter your major, there are fundamentals that every college education should cover- speaking and thinking.
Read College is not easy: It requires sacrifice.
