Tolerance. Perseverance. Independence. These are what many students refer to as “main factors” to being successful in school. But what type of school does this refer to? High school? College? The answer, funny as it sounds, is yes.
Yes to what? High School or College? According to some students of Yuba College, the three main factors apply to both high school and college, if not more so to the latter.
In the words of Kevin Schauer, a Yuba City High School and Yuba College graduate, “High school was very stressful because of all the peer pressure and the whole ‘fitting in’ issue, but at college you’re hopefully there willing because you want to better yourself.” Schauer states the “Big Three” factors as the primary focus of the majority of students, no matter the education level.
He addressed the area of tolerance when he stated, “Tolerance speaks for itself. I tolerated the long tedious classes in high school knowing that it would eventually pay off in the sense that I’d have my educational requirements to get me into college.”
“And in college I tolerated the required material (math, science, etc.) that goes with achieving my major. I also tolerated a lot of people that I can’t stand as well as the insane book and parking prices,” Schauer added with a smirk.
Other sources back up Schauer’s comments with surveys, questionnaires and other means for information. According to a recent poll in USA Weekend magazine, the ratio of high school students aged 15-18 who were willing to “put up” with high school was a 6:1 fare. Additionally, the ratio of college students in the age range of 19-24 who were at college “against their own will” due to parental influence, scholarship contracts or other factors, was 14:1, more than twice the number of high school students.
Schauer also felt that perseverance is needed in high school and college. He said, “Perseverance to me in high school was to stay in class and try my best, for most of the time anyway. I was focusing on graduating so I could move on from the drama that was high school and have a broader perspective of life.”
Schauer added, “And when I did get to college, I strived to achieve my goal of getting a degree in music, which I’m now pursuing at Chico State University.”
“Independence in high school meant that you probably carried around a skate board and dyed your hair black. In college, to some independence is getting a tattoo or refusing to join any sports teams or clubs.”
Schauer continued, “Maybe some people just plain like to keep to themselves and avoid others. I know I did, with the obvious exceptions of my friends.”
The “Big Three” factors of surviving school, do seem to play a key role in the minds of many students, regardless of their personal situations or grade levels. Do students of all education levels contain the same outlook on school? To place your comments on the topics at hand click on the forum link below and voice your opinions. Or email me at the address provided on the web site.
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