Going
to college! What a thrill!
It's a trip that has
everything great that you have heard about, if you make
it so. It also is very serious business. To a great extent,
you will be on your own. True, there are an awful lot of people
ready to help you, but generally you must take the initiative
and seek them out.
Most
of you have decided on a career. Even thought many of you
will change your minds later; the initial decision allows
you, to set class goals and pursue them step by step toward
that, the final objective of graduation such goals are essential
for success. In advising students, I always tell them to discipline
themselves, to be prepared to study hard and keep up from
day one.
Today's world is full of precious knowledge, whether it be
in the arts, literature, a profession, or a vocational skill.
College is your chance of a lifetime to explore these areas.
Each facet can be as exciting when discovered by you as
it was when discovered by the original author or explorer.
Let yourself explore beyond your immediate career objectives.
A student in auto mechanics in most schools also can take
courses in history, philosophy, music, or art. There is no
reason a craftsman also can't be a great thinker, or an explorer
into the vast areas of unlimited knowledge. For a rich full
life he or she should make the most of the opportunities at
hand.
I hope that you have gathered by now that going to college
means a lot more than earning a grade. To limit your college
experience will be a waste to you and to all of the people,
past and present, who have invested their pennies, dimes
and dollars--- often at great personal sacrifice to make educational
opportunities open for you. Putting it bluntly, college
is a place to be greedy --- take all you can get and the some
more.
Also consider this --- are you going to take a course to
learn or are you going to take it only to have it on your
record? I talk to far too many students going to school just
to get the credentials'
to " get a job". Again,
they are cheating themselves. Get into the subjects in great
depth to gain a true understanding. Don't be content to just
skim over courses with "only to pass" in mind. By
taking the in-depth approach you will be exploring many of
the disciplines you enjoy the rest of your life.
Let me share with you a final observation. The person doing
an honest piece of work, the work one can be proud of, is
the truly happy person. This is true of the plumber, veterinarian,
teacher, whatever. The agony of just getting by will eventually
tear one asunder. The habit of honest work and pride in
your work can be established to a great extent in college.
Thus, as you stand on the threshold of your college career,
commit yourself and stand by that commitment. From the first
day in class, discipline yourself to make learning fun, not
a chore, and to get the most from the educational opportunities
open to you.
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