Each morning after waking from my five-hour slumber, I cannot help but think, “How many more days of this?” How many more days do I have until I no longer have to drag my limp body from bed solely to go to an institution in which I am one of many faceless students?
Though the recent rainfall hasn’t helped my motivation, it’s hard to interrupt my hard-earned rest just to wake up and go to a place of learning in which many are unaware of the amount of time it takes to graduate. I was under the impression I would not be here for more than four years as long as I worked my hardest. Apparently, I was wrong.
Once upon a time, higher education meant obtaining a degree in an average of four years. No matter what school attended, it was the standard most universities followed. Today, a typical four-year graduation deadline is just an old fairy-tale. Universities continue to market themselves as four-year institutions – talk about false advertising. For the majority of students, it’s a struggle to do so.
According to www.graduationwatch.org, a mere 7.4 percent of San Diego State students graduate in a timely four-year fashion. At UCLA, the four-year graduation rate of students is 46.9 percent. A bit more concerning is the fact it will take six years for 84.6 percent of students to graduate from UCLA, while only 38.1 percent will have graduated from our lovely institution. Though it may not entirely be the administration’s fault – SDSU is notorious for slackers – there is obviously a problem with the system if the four-year graduation rate is this dismal.
The problem is nationwide. According to The Los Angeles Times, for incoming full-time college students, 37 percent will graduate within four years. Awareness concerning the cost of education and the decrease in higher education funding only makes the situation worse. Parents allot tuition costs for their future college students for four years – the amount of time it took most of them to graduate. However, parents must now consider the possibility that it will take children closer to six years to graduate. Furthermore, parents must realize their children will receive less funding from the government than what was provided to them.
When using hip-hop music to get through the struggles of college – as I am – it doesn’t help when a cocky college dropout such as Kanye West brags about his countless broads, Benjamins and Benzs. Not only do I find myself fantasizing about dropping the learning gig all together and weaseling my way into a career of bootylicious backup dancing – I’ve been questioning whether the slip of paper I’m working my tail off for will really help me. With the job market still dismal and hardly flourishing, along with the extra time and money allocated toward education – against my will, mind you – I’m beginning to wonder, what the incentive is.
Yes, learning is essential for the progression during a lifetime. But why must we “learn” in a structured manner only to obtain a tangible form of the skills acquired? Most of the knowledge I’ve obtained wasn’t from memorizing tedious facts for the sole purpose of passing a test. Experience through working and interactions with people should be the base of true learning.
According to the Census Bureau, lifetime earnings for people with a bachelor’s degree are 75 percent more than for those with a high school diploma. I suppose that figure is what motivates people to go to college; however, the system screams failure for students with poor economic standings. Those who are unable to afford college and know of the nonexistent four-year track to graduation are deterred away from obtaining a college diploma. Perhaps it’s purely coincidental, but isn’t it worth noting that military systems advertise with the concept of serving your country now and as a reward, obtaining funds readily available afterward to be directed toward a college education? Furthermore, why go to school for five-plus years when other options can provide less structure and the possibility of more money if properly motivated? True – the chances of becoming rich without a college diploma is mainly pure luck, extreme motivation or who you know – it isn’t a nonexistent scenario.
Applause should go to the people who want to continue learning and earning degrees. However, with the way things are looking for higher education, it may be harder in the future to graduate and enjoy life while doing so.
-Consuela Headrick is a journalism junior and assistant opinion editor for The Daily Aztec.
-This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send e-mail to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed – include your full name, major and year in school.
