By Jaci Schneider, Copy Editor
Much Ado About Something
In a few months, seniors have to decide what to do with their lives. But even before graduation they have to start making plans. Do I want to go to graduate school? If I do go, what school should I go to? When should I take the GRE? What if I want to wait a year, when should I begin applying for jobs? Should I begin my career right away or find something to do for a few years first?
With so many questions swimming around in seniors’ heads, it’s surprising any of them have time to go to class and participate in campus activities.
As a freshman, students must take a one-hour class called University Seminar. The class is supposed to prepare students for life in college; they read about diversity, homesickness and study habits. Some students love the class, but just as many people think it’s worthless.
With the General Educational Review Committee making plans for the university’s future general curriculum, I think it should consider offering an alternative to University Seminar.
Instead of University Seminar, the university should offer Life Seminar to help students adjust to life after school. This course would address issues such as applying for a job, getting into graduate school, buying health insurance, filing taxes, developing contacts in the business world and the numerous issues associated with being a grown-up.
Instead of forcing freshmen to take U100, students should have to option to take U100 as a freshman or Life 101 as a junior or senior. Then students wouldn’t complain so much about U100 because they chose to take it, and students who need a little help adjusting to college life can still get it.
Seniors need more than just a diploma before they jump into the real world. Many students would gladly welcome a little bit of advice and instruction from their professors, who have been through the process and have helped students for years. However, professors and students, especially seniors, are busy, and finding time to discuss future plans outside of class is not easy. If students took a one-hour class and met with a professor and fellow seniors once a week, graduation might not seem so daunting.
For now, I’ll sit here, wondering what I’ll do with my life and praying for sudden fortune to allow me to bum around Europe and put off the inevitable: growing up.
