Is College Worth the Effort? An Analysis of Necessary Courses

Your frustration is quite common among students. The requirement to take general education or elective classes outside of your major is often rooted in several educational philosophies and institutional goals. Understanding these reasons can help you appreciate the value of broader education.

Well-Rounded Education

Colleges aim to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable in their specific fields but also have a broad understanding of various subjects. This is thought to foster critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability in a rapidly changing world. A well-rounded education equips you with a diverse range of skills and perspectives, making you more versatile and competitive in various career paths.

Skill Development

Courses in areas such as humanities, sciences, and social sciences can help students develop important skills such as communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. These skills are valuable in any career. By engaging in these courses, you are not only enriching your intellectual life but also building a strong foundation for success in both academic and professional realms.

Exposure to New Ideas

General education requirements expose students to different perspectives and disciplines, which can inspire new interests and inform their primary field of study. This exposure is crucial in today’s interconnected world, where the ability to understand and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds is highly valued. It can help you discover potential areas of interest that you might not have considered otherwise.

Accreditation Standards

Many accrediting bodies require institutions to ensure that students receive a well-rounded education, which often includes general education courses. This is necessary to maintain academic integrity and ensure that graduates are prepared for the challenges of the future. Compliance with these standards is crucial for the validity and credibility of your degree.

Institutional Tradition

The structure of higher education has evolved over centuries, and many institutions maintain traditional curricula that include these broader requirements. While there may be a sense of continuity, it is important to recognize that these requirements serve a specific educational purpose. They are designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience that goes beyond the specialized focus of a single major.

Flexibility in Modern College Curricula

While these reasons are often cited in defense of general education requirements, many students feel that they can be burdensome, especially if they perceive these classes as irrelevant to their career goals. Some colleges are beginning to adapt their curricula to allow for more flexibility, enabling students to tailor their education more closely to their interests and career paths.

Why General Education is Essential

In college, you get to take general education and elective classes because you are being generally and broadly educated. A major is just one piece of that education. It ensures that you will know at least one subject in sufficient depth to go beyond the introductory level and provides a nice label for your diploma. However, the other classes are essential for building a large, adaptable knowledge base. They help you find a major that you like and teach you how to learn well enough that you can teach yourself anything you might want to know.

The liberal arts curriculum, which everyone gets in college, is a way of learning about your fellow humans who may be very different from the family you grew up in. This helps you understand both human universality and variety, making you fit to be a free citizen and adult. There are other ways to learn this, but this is a good, reliable, and pleasurable way to do it. Plus, it’s a treat now that you’re capable of choosing for yourself to actually choose for yourself based purely on curiosity.

Some people may have told you that this is useless knowledge, claiming that you only really need to know enough to get your first job. Understand that they are lying to you to try to limit your power and agency in life. Do not flatter those liars with your belief. A well-rounded education is essential for long-term success and personal growth, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-changing world.