the PROFiles Blog

The Importance of General Education

A lot of students I know tend to complain about their general education courses. Someone who is an English major might not see the point in taking a math or science class. Someone who is getting a degree in computer science might not understand why they need to take an art class. A friend of mine once complained that he had to knit a quilt in order to finish his degree in Law and Justice. So why do all colleges require such things?

For one thing, they give a student a broader, more well-rounded education. While it might be hard to see how knitting would help someone with a degree in Law and Justice, there are a lot of other general education classes that can be helpful to anyone. Things like computers, history, writing, and psychology can help people with their careers in almost any field, by helping them learn more about how the world works, how they interact with other people, and how to better communicate in everything from emails to reports. These sorts of skills will be valuable to people in any walk of life.

For another thing, people taking general education classes might find out about other fields they might be interested in. Some students, like myself, eventually change majors if their first major doesn’t suit them. Taking a wide variety of classes can give students a taste of different majors, so that they have an idea of the different options available to them. Even if a student doesn’t change majors, they might still find some other areas of interest which they can use to fill their general electives.

Students that learn more about a wider variety of fields will also be better able to work alongside people in different professions once they graduate and start their careers. Collaborative efforts will be much more successful if the people involved have knowledge of things outside of their main area of expertise. For example, a future lawyer, teacher, accountant, or other professional will still need to work with a computer specialist in most offices, and some knowledge of computers could help them to better communicate their needs.

A wider knowledge about the world can also help people outside of their careers. Knowledge about history and geography can help people to better understand the country we live in, and someone with a more well-rounded education is likely to better understand political issues and how they affect society. Then there’s the fact that any and all classes help teach students about teamwork, responsibility, deadlines, and other skills that are useful in all walks of life.

Finally, there’s the fact that even if someone gets a degree in a certain field, there’s no guarantee that they will get a job in that particular field. Even if you go to college with a certain career goal in mind, there is always the possibility that you will end up in a different job, based on what is available in the current job market. General education will help prepare you for a wider variety of jobs that might not be as specialized as others. Many office jobs require a core set of skills that are offered by any general education program: computer skills, research, reading, writing, teamwork, and organization. These general education skills will make you more valuable to a wider variety of potential future employers.

The versatile education offered by gen ed programs is an important backbone for any college education. Sometimes the classes might not seem to be up your alley, but they still hold a strong value for a student’s future, both in their career and in life.

Published: May 22nd, 2013
Author: Jason Cantrell

Categories: Academics
Tags: Academics, blogs, Education, Rowan, Rowan University

Empty Summer Campus

Being on campus over the summer is a bit of a different experience from usual. Even just a week after graduation, it’s a bit stunning to walk around campus and see how quiet everything is. Only a small number of students take summer classes, so the buildings are much emptier. So are the parking lots (which certainly makes it a lot easier to find a parking space).

When I took a summer class last year, it was a more unique and personal experience than some other classes. Instead of the normal class size of more than twenty students, there were only eight of us in class. The upside to this was that each student’s unique voice was more easily heard, and the professor was able to spend more time addressing each person’s questions. The class was also shorter, lasting only five weeks instead of the usual sixteen.

Another big difference is that the lively activities in the student center are not as common of a sight. During the regular semester, every day that I stop by the student center, there are students holding charity events, bake sales, and activities to raise awareness for various causes. Most of the student organizations aren’t as active on campus over the summer, though they’ll be back again in the fall.

There are also less students seen in study groups around campus. Normally, the student lounge areas in most buildings are filled with students and their books and laptops, studying or getting caught up on homework. Things are much quieter over the summer, though, especially since some students are likely to only be taking one or two classes (instead of four or five during the main semester).

Before we know it, though, the fall semester will be right around the corner. The halls will be filled again, students will be all over campus, and finding a parking spot will once again be difficult to find.

Published: May 21st, 2013
Author: Jason Cantrell

Categories: Academics
Tags: Academics, blogs, Rowan, Rowan University

To Commute or Not to Commute

I’m a commuter. I live about 15-20 minutes from Rowan, so the drive has never been a problem for me. Of course, I know other students who commute an hour (or more) to get to school. Others live in the dorms, or in one of the apartment complexes close by to Rowan so they are right near the school. There are pros and cons to each choice, and commuters and resident students can have a very different experience.

Since I’m a nontraditional student, the main reason I commute is simply because I already have a job and an apartment of my own. I know other students who are married and have kids, so obviously they’re not going to live in the dorms. There’s also plenty of other reasons why a student might find the decision to commute or not is pretty much taken out of their hands: you might live in the dorms because you don’t have a car to commute, you might commute because you can’t afford the higher tuition for resident students, or there could be other external factors influencing your decision. If there is nothing forcing you to choose, however, the decision between commuting or staying in the dorms could be a difficult one.

Some people might be influenced by their family life. I’ve known some students who were glad for the chance for some time away from their parents, and the freedom it entailed. These students might be fine with the idea of only seeing their parents during holidays or school breaks. We all have to “leave the nest” sooner or later, and moving away to college might be the first step. You end up taking responsibility for yourself, setting your own schedule, and making your own decisions. Of course, for many students there will still be some support from home (I know a lot of college students still rely on their parents for their finances), but some freedom can be better than none.

On the other hand, some students don’t want to leave home just yet. It could be because you’re very close to your family, and don’t want to be separated from them all semester long. Or it could just be that you don’t want to start doing your own laundry (I was guilty of this, living at home and getting my Mom to clean up after me until I was 22). Whatever the reason, it’s common for a lot of students to keep living at home through college, and not move out on their own until they have a full time job.

Of course, there are other factors that make a difference between commuting and living at school. Living in the dorms is certainly more convenient when it cones to getting to class on time. The dorms are just a short walk from most of the class buildings, and I know plenty of students who roll out of bed and head straight to class (sometimes sporting fuzzy slippers with bunny ears). The convenience extends to meal times as well, since there multiple places to eat on campus, and even a small market where you can pick up groceries. Also, the Glassboro area has a ton of restaurants and stores, many of which accept the Rowan meal plan card as payment. When it comes down to it, just about anything you could need is very close by.

Another factor you might want to consider when thinking about living in the dorms is the fact that you’ll no doubt have a roommate. This could be either a good thing or a bad thing… depending on the roommate. Some people really value their privacy, and wouldn’t want to share their living space. Others might worry that they’ll get a roommate they don’t get along with, such as someone who is always playing loud music when you’re trying to study. I’m sure we’ve all heard such “roommate horror stories” before. But there’s also the chance that you’ll end up being great friends with your roommate. They could be someone who helps you study, offers you support when you need it, or shares the same interests as you. You can never be sure until you meet them, but whatever the case, a roommate is a unique experience that commuter students will never share.

Published: May 20th, 2013
Author: Jason Cantrell