this might be a rant. or it might be the truth. or it could be both.
I’m not anti-higher education.
I’m really not.
(Although I think you already know how I feel about a system.)
Shoot, I loved college. It was a good time. (Which promotes my point exactly.)
I love learning.
I mean, I’m dedicating my very life to the process, you know.
But the more I teach, the more I learn, the more I realize that what I want to produce in our homeschool is not educated adults, per se. Not diploma-holding citizens. Not specific-abbreviations-past-your-given-name people.
I want to produce learners.
Thinkers.
Imaginers.
People who know how to find information and who want to get to that information.
People who can think.
And I’m becoming more and more convinced that there are only two ways to go about that style of learning.
When you want to know something, when there’s a subject you want to know better, to become an expert in, there are only two ways to make that happen —
Read a book by someone who already knows what you want to know
or
Find a person who already knows what you want to know.
I think that’s it.
And either way, neither of these options require a down payment of $20,000 per year with additional fees for a corner dorm room with matching sheets and a comforter from Target.
Self-education might just be the only legitimate form of education that exists any longer.
Is this controversial?
I don’t know.
Consider the college professor – he’s basically just the middle man. Not so much a doer usually – but a really good reader and researcher who has done all of the hard work for you and is now feeding you bite-sized nuggets of information when you should probably be ready to simply chew solid foods by yourself.
If you really want to learn, if you really want to know how or why or when or where – figure it out. Ask questions. Read. Read. Read. All of the world’s information is just as readily available to the cashier at Wal-Mart as it is to the professor at Harvard.
More so now in our culture than it has ever been before.
And yet, we seem to be growing more and more helpless with each generation. More and more reliant upon a college degree as a golden ticket to all of our future happiness. (And a vast amount of debt too.)
College is becoming simply extended high school. Postponed adulthood. Four years of acceptable immaturity.
I know there are some fields of study that legitimately require particular specialized training.
I’m not really talking about that.
I’m talking about everything else out there.
I’m not even really trying to make a blanket-statement.
A one-size fits all solution.
I just think there’s a larger problem here.
A struggle we are in the center of as our oldest daughter apparently is a senior in high school and on a fast track to graduation.
(Goodness – we had a senior meeting last week and were handed caps and gowns and a timetable for when graduation invitations should be sent. Unbelievable!)
At our house, we’ve begun exploring post-graduation choices. Considering college options and evaluating opportunities for a gap year.
(If anyone has connections or advice on overseas opportunities for young adults, I’d love to hear from you.)
And I suppose all these shiny college promotional materials littering our table are making me a little edgy.
Which makes me think.
And this is where that leads.
Rambling and ranting late into the evening.
5 Comments
brygilb
These thoughts are compelling. Surprisingly, scarily, I've never really pondered this stuff… thanks for the post.
Helen Rutrough
Katie Aigner went overseas as a nanny (I think I'm correct in that) so you might want to check with her mom and get info from her. Riley would already have experience in that field!
Couple things to consider (which you already know): What are Riley's interests and what does she want to be doing a few years down the road? Does that require a college education to achieve? I do think 18 years old is too young to "know" what you want to do the rest of your working life. Possibly the reason a lot of people change jobs so much and don't actually work in the field of their education.
Another thing to consider is going to community college to take the general courses and then transfer to another college for her specialized field. This would give her additional time to really consider the way she wants to go.
I understand both sides of the discussion and don't think college is the answer for all children but I agree with Beckey that it does have other benefits than educational. And as you already know I lean much more heavily on private Christian colleges than public ones for the same reasons we chose Christian school over public schools K-12th grade. It is more expensive but well worth the extra money you spend. God provides a way!
beckey
I have written two responses that have been kicked back…due to length.
In short, I disagree with your post. I have a million reasons why, I also have
a kid in college and another on the way-just like your sweet girl. I will be happy
to tell you what I have learned as a mom about college. I also have some info
about overseas schools…not short programs.
beckey
Lacey,
I wrote a huge response to this post. Basically opposing all you said,but it would not submit. Not sure why. I have a kid at college and I see the benefits for him and for us. It is an emotionally important step. He is learning his strengths and weaknesses while still having us somewhat in the picture. We are learning his strengths and how to let go while still having a little bit of a say.
The social lessons are priceless. Working with people you dont like, working on topics you dont like-but doing the work that is required anyway. Learning your limit of play while being able to accomplish your requirements is also important. The list is endless. It may cost money, money we dont have, but college is an experience I think I would be failing my children if I did not give them-if only for the advantage it gives them for getting an interview.
I have overseas info if you want to call I will give it to you.
LaceyKeigley
I know there are definitely good reasons for college – and I am certainly not saying my opinion is right for every one or every kid – it probably won't even be the right opinion for every kid that shares my last name! 🙂
I just think it isn't the only choice and I feel like we are increasingly being told/convinced that college is the ONLY choice for post-college success – and I still don't think college is the only right way.
I agree that there are valuable lessons in the process – like the many you listed above.
I will not be disappointed if my children go to college – I will happily help them in that direction if it's the path they/we decide is right. I will also not be disappointed if they do not go to college.
I love having these discussions with you and wish we had time to have more in person! 🙂
I definitely would love to chat about some overseas options!