How are you taking your education into your own hands?

Question

I don't know if this is quite right but it seems that many students just expect college advisors to sign them up for the right classes and then when they graduate then they are considered "educated" but shouldn't people take their education into their own hands. Isn't college what you make of it?

I mean, you shouldn't just leave your education at the hands of an advisor and I feel that too many people do. How do you take your education into your own hands?

Answer 1

I only went to my advisor when I had a question about what courses would suit me best for my intended long term goals for my future career.  I got her opinion on what class or classes would work best to give me the knowledge that will be crucial down the road.  Other than that, I paid attention to my handbook so that I know what courses were required in my major and the general education curriculum, as well as the courses for my minor and then I took whatever course I wanted to take when it came to electives.  I made it my responsibility to get the education that I felt was best.  I did not just let my advisor choose my schedule, because it wasn't her life that was impacted by those choices; therefore, I felt I had to make my own decisions, because after all, that is what is expected of us when we graduate.

Answer 2

the adviser just help them decide. by putting together their hobbies.  

Answer 3

I agree, College is what you make of it. I rarely see advisors because I have grown accustomed to finding out the classes I need for my degree.  I am very independent, and I don't see anything wrong with getting help, but I think you learn more once you do it on your own.

One of the most hands on things that I have learned was through a class, but my group and I took it above and beyond. We had to take a problem in the world, and take some sort of action. While many of our classmates did take a step, we wanted to really make people realize our problem isn;t just happening in other countries, but in our own country as well. We did Human Trafficking. It was one of the most enlightening things I have ever experienced. We had a women who was human trafficked right in Michigan. She was from a suburb of Detroit. She came from an upperclass family and was a s*x slave throughout her entire highschool experience.

She came and spoke at our university, and as I sat on the panel, I could see the faces of students and the suprise that this was happening to someone right here. It happens everywhere and having her speak and making people realize what goes on was the biggest lesson I ever learned.

Answer 4

I have been keeping track of what I need since my junior year in high school.During my senior year of high school, I spent over a month fighting for the classes I needed because of the stupid way the schedules were set up and my lazy guidance counselors. They kept coming up with dumb excuses but I eventually got what I needed.

I just finished my first year in college. I met with my advisor both semesters to be sure I was getting what I needed, and I am making sure I get what I need. To keep a scholarship I am supposed to take 2 honor courses a semester until I have completed 7, but since last semester and this semester I need 3 4 credit courses, I have gotten waivers to just take one so that I can focus on my major requirements.

I will be applying for a program next semester that I need for the job I want, so if I didn't have a clue what I needed I wouldn't be able  to do it. Most people take it just because it seems interesting and aren't really planning on it when they enter the school. I think I was the only freshman that came in wanting specifically that program. One girl I know decided to try for it, but almost missed the deadline because she didn't even know when she was supposed to be applying. She got in but was taking both Anatomy I &II over the summer. They only take around 8 students into the program, so even if there doesn't seem to be a lot of competition I'm not willing to take the risk.

ADD: My school requires that you meet with your advisor before registeringfor classes. You are still expected to know what classes you want, but many students seem to coast a bit as far as planning goes.

Last semester I had to help finish my roomates schedule because she waited until the afternoon to register (we already got last pick as freshmen). Her first 3 choices were full and she had no other backups. She was going to take a class that wouldn't have counted because she had already taken enough to satisfy the distribution requiresments. She kept refusing everything because it was "boring" or "she would suck at it" or it was full. She refused to go to her advisor to be sure that what I finally got her to register for was OK.

Too many people get told you can take wahtever you want in college. There are still some requirements you need to meet that you may not like, and you still have to compete with all the other students for space.

Answer 5

uh, I had to figure it all out for myself, my adviser won't answer my emails I've never met him. It's pretty much every man for himself at my school.....