Sydney Grossman/ Roundup
Part-time jobs and a 12-unit semester are a lot to worry about.
Add study sessions, a social life, some down time and a good 7-hour sleep, and students are looking at 48-hour days.
College is a time to learn and grow while becoming more independent as a member of adult society.
Along with taking a math course and an English comprehension class, a class teaching time management and organization skills should be an education requirement; a “how to” crash course on paying taxes and much more.
At Pierce College, the personal development department offers a course, College Success Seminar, which is only offered to freshmen who are placed into Elementary Algebra or Intermediate Algebra.
An add card may be obtained through the Learning Community Success Center if a student outside of the Freshman Success Program wishes to join.
Even with the personal development course being offered, there is no content being taught about living life in the real world.
How are students to succeed without the fundamental basics of living on their own?
Pierce, as well as all other community colleges and universities, need to implement a new required course as a part of the students’ general education requirements.
With the economy being at a low point and education prices being raised, students are learning how to survive alone.
An increase in knowledge regarding budgeting an income, managing time to allow for work, school and studying, and a general sense of familiarity to functioning as an adult would decrease stress levels stress levels and the unfamiliar would not be as daunting.
Graduating from college should be an exciting time. Instead, the fear of failing at everyday responsibilities is more apparent.
It should be the duty of professors and mentors at schools to make a pathway for their students’ success. Math and English may not be strong suits for everyone, but paying bills on time and staying organized are key skills everyone should both want and have.
Pierce can become the benchmark for other universities and schools. Initiating a primary and basic “101” course about life’s necessities and the responsibilities it comes with is needed and critical.
Life should never be about survival. It is time for students to learn to juggle every day tasks with a sense of calmness and ease.