Response by Melissa    Why College?
I just read over some of the other responses in the "why college" section
and I've been thinking about my reasons. I came because my parents
expected me to but thats not to say I didn't want to go. Coming to IC is
probably the best thing I've ever done in my life, although, sometimes I
wonder what else I could be doing. I never liked the classroom setting
for learning. I feel I learn more when I'm actually out in the world.
I've always had this dream to just travel around from place to place, get
little jobs here and there, and see the world. Sometimes I wish I could
abanden the college plan and pursue something more adventurous.

Response by Mary Lorraine Snauffer
 Why College?
I really like the idea of college and leaving it makes me anxious. I like
how my brain is always stimulated and isn't turning mushy. I love
learning. That's what I like to do. Read and learn and then drink coffee
and talk about what I think, or drink alcohol and yell about what I know.
I think it's insane how much college costs in the United States, I think
student loans are a horrible thing to leave with, I wish Ithaca was more
diverse, I wish my professors would take us outside when it's sunny more
than they do. I also wish my fellow students had more of an open mind,
truly appricated their experience. I also would encourage under classmen
who are discouraged with their IC experience to go into Ithaca and really
experience the town for what it's worth because it's a very amazing,
proactive place. Before you ask yourself why you're here first find out
where you are.

Response by Mary Lorraine Snauffer

 I thought
the Teach for America info session was interesting, especially because I
am a clueless senior. I was at a book club the other night at the Chapter
House and was talking to an IC grad who was currently working for
Americorps. She is being paid $5 an hour, which puts her at poverty
level, which is one of the points of the program. She was saying how she
was in Wegmans the other night and gave the cashier her food stamps and
the cashier, who was 16ish, said, "Wait, you're on foodstamps? You don't
look like you'd be on foodstamps." And so the girl explained her
sistuation. The TIMES coverstory last week was about "Twixters," 20-
somethings who aren't leaving home and are having problems adjusting to
the "real world," having problems starting real jobs, marriages, kids,
etc... it wasn't negative exactly. One point was about how colleges are
doing a horrible job at preparing kids for the real world, especially
liberal arts majors. Yet, one thing I have found talking to my fellow
stressed seniors is that so many of them are exploring "corps" options
whether Teach for America, Peacecorps, Americorps, and other
volunteer/teach English abroad options. We're not prepared for the "real
world" but many of us have a sense that we are capable of making positive
changes. That we are part of a community we can enrich. Not real-world-
make-a-million-on-Wallstreet attitude like our fathers, but something
different... not necessarily worse.

Response by colorblind6

 Why am I in college?
Truthfully, I have no idea. I originally came because my parents told me
I had to, and I admit, part of me wanted the "college experience". But
lately, I've really begun questioning what it is that I'm doing with my
life, and whether the major I've been studying is really the right one
for me. Here I am, almost done college forever, and I'm doubting the idea
of going out and doing what I do. I suppose college is the place where
you can contemplate stuff like this, but I just keep finding myself
increasingly lost.

Response by Lauren

 Why I am in college?
According to my grandfather i am the pride of the family, because I the
first to go away to the United States to study. English is not my first
language, so you might ask why come to the U.S.? Well this is supposed to
be where all the "best" institutions of higher learning are so why not
test that notion. College was never an option it was more like an
obligation. you finish high schcool and go straigh away to college. It
was already planned out. I want to become a professional but at the same
time I just want to experience life and really enjoy it. I love what I am
studying but I don't see an actual career in the future with what I am
studying. I am in college because it is expected of me, because i have to
prove myself, and well its eaither this or sitting at home watching TV
and wondering what i would have been if i did go to college. I prefer to
do this now than regret not doing it at all.
 

Response by 1022

 Many memories remain tacked to
my mind from high school. Teachers not wanting to answer a
student's questions, papers being flung from front to back of classroom,
desks being tossled
about by a bully "teacher", and all in all the agony of watching
students' minds being pummeled
and suffocated by a cruel display of dominance, posed as learning.
I remember staring into the walls of "The Pit" (actual name) as I was
punished for being late to
class. I was stuck in a silent room all day without talking, listening to
music or being allowed to
sleep.
These are memories I can just cast aside, since I would much rather focus
on the positive, but
deep down I know they serve a purpose.
I am here in college to make up for lost time in high school. I am here
to really learn, something
that I've always loved to do, and to share my knowledge and enthusiasm
with other people. I would
love to provide a free art space to people, who otherwise couldn't afford
lessons. This is just a
thought... but whatever happens I know my experiences (good and bad and
those in between) will
mesh together into positive action. All experiences and memories can be
of great use.

Response by Nick
 Often I have wondered what I
am doing here at college.  It seems at times that I am wasting my time on
things and classes that basically mean nothing to me.  I wonder why I
can't just discover the things I'm "learning" on my own.  I often find
myself doing just barely enough to get by so I can get back to the
things/work that I want to do.
-----------------------------------------------
Response by Megan Burke

 I am here at Ithaca
College so I can become a music teacher. The three most significant
teachers I have had in my school district have studied here at IC, as
well as my orchestra conductor. Ithaca's school of music has a 100
percent job placement rate for music education students. I also get along
very well with the professor of horn here. I have played horn for about 9
and a half years. I hope to become a high school conductor as well as a
private horn teacher. My education here at IC will help me in doing so.
----------------------------------------------------------------
 Response by Nicholas Guttuso     The question that
i am going to answer is that of why i am going to college.  I am going to
college in order to get a degree so i can get a good job. I think that
this is the reason that people go to college. However i feel that it is
important that while i am in college not only does my knowledge grow but
that i grow as a person.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Response by KTAunch    Why am I in college?
I guess there's a lot of possible and true answers to that question. I am
in college for a number of reasons,most importantly for myself, and for
my future so that I can be as sucessful as possible. My goal is to
someday have a great job, that allows me to have a lesuireful life which
would include  having a family, nice house, vacations, and a lot of other
things that would let me to thoroughly enjoy life without the fear of
debt, or running out of money or limiting myself.
In todays society I feel that choosing to continue your education at
college isn't really a choice, its more or less a given...in peoples
minds. That when you graduate from HS it is expected that you go away to
college... I feel that without college your future is bleak in the real
world. People that go to college have more experiance, more training, and
a heavier background in their specialties. So if there were to be a job
opening, I feel as if any college graduate would get the position over a
non-graduate, or a high school/ged graduate- and that's rightfully so.
But also, I am in college to expand my knowledge on becoming a Exercise
Science/Nutrition major,to meet new people (from all over), get away from
home- the only place I've ever really known..and just stepping out of my
comfort zone to get somewhat adjusted to what the real world might be
like. I think College is not only about learning subjects, but learning
about life- and hopefully having the best four years ever!! :-)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Response by 110984    There was one point in my
life right before college when I thought, what's the point of going?  I
didn't know why I had to continue to get an education in the field I
wanted to pursue when I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life.  I
knew how to approach the job market and knew what I was going to do about
my financial means and a job.  I had even figured that I didn't even have
to live with my parents.  With all this information figured out, I was
still forced with the decision to choose a college that fit me and that I
would attend.  I gave in to not entering the business world or back-
packing across Europe as I had hoped.  Going to college though was a
better choice for me.  I ended up making the right decision because I
switched the career path for myself and even though it is in the same
field as my previous career choice, my new field of study requires more
business courses and management courses.  With choosing college, I made
the right decision in the end.  In math many times, we can go around the
answer from different angles, such as in geometry and still come out with
the right decision.  No matter how I looked at college, it was the right
decision.  Now that I think about it, most decisions are like math
problems, you have an equation and then a solution or answer.  The terms
may not be the same, but no matter how you look at, from any angle, life
is a math problem.