College Education example essay topic

Dear College Bound Student, You are about to embark upon an important journey. You are going to pursue a higher education. To succeed in attaining a higher education, you must first understand what is education. Everyone from ancient Greek philosophers to modern day English professors have evaluated the definition and goal of education. You must gather the knowledge of these humanitarians to understand the definition education, thereby directing you down the right path towards an enlightening college experience.

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato describes education in his "Allegory of the Cave" as a process of spiritual enlightenment. According to Plato: If (one) is reluctantly dragged up a steep and rugged ascent, and held fast until (he / she) is forced into the presence of the sun (himself / herself), is he not likely to be pained and irritated. When he approaches the light his eyes will be dazzled, and he will not be able to see anything at all of what are now called realities... He will require to grow accustomed to the sight of the upper world.

(37) In this quote, Plato implies that one cannot be forced to acquire an education, but one must choose to seek an education. The prisoner cannot be forced to see the upper world, but he / she must have the drive to try to gain an understanding of the world in order for them to see the "light". Similarly, in college you must not depend on a teacher to be interesting or a course to be easy for you to learn. You must take the initiative to understand your material and think on your own in order for you to gain knowledge. I am in a chemistry course consisting of over 200 students.

A class of this magnitude is often very intimidating to me, and I may be tempted to rely on my existing knowledge of the subject to get me through the course. This attitude towards college will inevitably lead you to failure. To succeed in my chemistry class I attend all lectures, do the homework, and read the book in order to understand the material and make the best of my education. Mark Edmundson described a student, Joon Lee, that possessed this initiative to acquire knowledge in his essay, "On the Uses of a Liberal Education: As Lite Entertainment for Bored College Students". Edmundson states, The divide that separates (Joon) and a few other remarkable students from their contemporaries is not that some aren't nearly as bright - in terms of intellectual ability, it's that Joon Lee has decided to follow his interests and let them make him into a singular and rather eccentric man. (129).

Joon was different from other students who had the potential of enlightenment because he put forth the effort to understand the information he was given in his courses. When a student puts his need for entertainment and satisfaction aside, and takes the initiative to gain knowledge, he / she allows the material to form himself / herself into an intellectual. Joon is a prime example of a student who looks beyond getting a good grade, and focuses his college experience to acquire an education. If you want to take charge of your college education, you should model after Joon and pursue the knowledge presented in your classes.

You must look beyond the homework and tests as grades, and perceive them as academic opportunities for you to utilize your understanding of the material. This is relative to Plato's interpretation of education, where the prisoner made the effort to achieve knowledge, instead of returning to the cave, and attained spiritual enlightenment. It can then be said that every soul possesses the power of learning, yet the entire soul must be turned away from the world in order to see the "light". ... knowledge. You have the potential for acquiring a "good" education, but you must turn and face your challenges in order to obtain knowledge in college. Earl Shorris determined that the poor were unable to progress in America, because they were never guided, "turned away from the world", to think. In Shorris,' "On the Uses of a Liberal Education: As a Weapon in the Hands of the Restless Poor", he stated, "To enter the public world, to practice the political life, the poor had first to learn to reflect... the humanities provided an entrance to reflection and the political life".

(Durst 143) Shorris shares Edmundson's view that every soul possesses the power of learning. He understood that by educating the poor, they had the chance to gain enlightenment. The educational course that Shorris established gave the poor a means of conquering their predicament, exhibiting the power of a "good" education. Relative to Shorris's students, you must realize that you are very privileged. You have the opportunity to acquire a college education. Do not take your education for granted but make the best of your years in college by pursuing the enlightenment your courses offer.

By collecting the insight of each author who discusses education, a definition can be fabricated. Education is a process of intellectual training and cultivation to further develop knowledge and attain enlightenment. Every person has the ability to gain knowledge but must act upon their potential in order to become wise. I feel that specifically, the main goal of education today, is for the student to come to know what society cherishes, and to prepare him / her for a life of citizenship.

College is a guide to help you to seek the knowledge of the world, and to improve yourself (a citizen of the United States of America). You must motivate yourself to gain knowledge of the world, and not entirely depend on others (professors, parents, and friends) to give you knowledge. Your professors, parents, and friends are there to support your journey to a good education. In order for you to succeed in college you must constantly push yourself, reflect, and challenge yourself to understand.

I challenge you to strive for your goal... enlightenment.

Bibliography

Durst, Russel K. You Are Here: Readings on Higher Education for College Writers. Simon & Schuster Custom Publishing, 1999.
Edmundson, Mark. "On the Uses of a Liberal Education: As Lite Entertainment for Bored College Students". 127-139. Shorris, Earl. "On the Uses of a Liberal Education: As a Weapon in the Hands of the Restless Poor". 141-153. Plato. "The Allegory of the Cave". 35-39. Neuleib, Cain, Ruff us, Scharton, ed. The Mercury Reader. Pearson Custom Publishing, 1999.