I love college.
You know why? Because of the opportunities it gives those of us fortunate enough to be here.
Students should actively take advantage of the possibilities this time offers.
According to NationMaster.com, America has an enrollment rate of 72.6 percent in higher education institutions, while over 120 countries have a percentage lower than 50 percent. What we have been blessed with is not widely available around the globe.
If we used the plethora of resources we have at our disposal, the whole world opens up to us.
Whether it’s an interest in aviation or a burning desire to learn to play the piano, college affords us the chance to seek out new worlds and gain new experiences.
Previously defined lines disappear, and for the first time, we can truly transcend the age gap, the wage gap, the gender gap and many other social constructs. Especially at Eastern Michigan
University, which is a non-traditional and commuter school, the doors are thrown open and we can meet people from all walks of life. As a result, college provides the ideal moment to meet kindred spirits and make lifelong friends you never knew were meant for you.
College fosters the perfect environment to gain cultural exposure, be it by joining the Latino Student Association or taking Japanese classes. It also affords us the opportunity to travel through study abroad programs or international internships and have actual exposure to the people of the areas we venture into, rather than the tourism most of us are accustomed to.
It allows for the chance to learn a new hobby or skill, whether by contributing to the school paper, joining the jiu jitsu club or taking a pottery class.
Volunteerism also has a place while pursuing a degree. Students can join organizations that contribute their skills to the community or participate in alternative breaks.
Another key aspect of college life is exploring the community and the place where we live. Find the best Vietnamese place in town (Dalat, hands down) and the local hipster coffee joint (the Ugly Mug).
And one of the very best things about college? The chance to get involved in something you never thought was interesting before. It could be the Astronomy Club, the Quidditch team or something else altogether, but you won’t know if you don’t try it.
These are just a few of the benefits that higher education offers us, if we only take advantage of them. In the “real world” as working adults, these experiences are available, but they must be pursued in your own (very limited) downtime. Being a part of a college community is exciting because all of these opportunities exist in one place, and it’s an added benefit that your friends are around to join in.
Though the college journey can be seen as another stepping stone to the goals we have and the lives we imagine, we shouldn’t let it be a repetition of high school.
It’s easy to get bogged down in the details of our lives and to feel like we’re drowning in a sea of never-ending homework, projects, research and work. But it helps to think about the absolutely unique place that you are in life. Make the most out of what you have because what you have is a lot.
