Why General Education Requirements Aren’t So Bad
Jul 05,2016
With any college degree program comes a certain number of generꦓal eဣducation requirements, which often get a bad reputation from students.
From “boring” to “unnecessary,” several negative adjectives ✤are used to describe these requirements, which fill up the first two years of col𓄧lege for many four-year students.
Despite the common dislike for gen. ed. courses, they have some obvious benefits that can st🍨ick with you throughout the rest of your college career and beyond.
1. They broaden your horizons.
Many college💖s and universities require general education classes to ensure students are receiving a diversified and well-rounded education.
Though it may be difficult to see how a science class can benefit a business major or how an American literature cl𒊎ass can benefit an engineering major, the idea is that the more you know about a variety of subjects, the better future employee and society member you will be.
2. They ease you into the college experience.
T🅘hough some general education classes are unquestionably difficult, many of them are typically easier than the in-depth courses you will take within your major, making them a good way to ease into the rest of your college career.
This is why many colleges often recommend that stud💯ents finish up their general education requirements early𝔉, before getting into their major.
Things you learn in your gen. ed. classes can also help you with assignments you will face in other courses. The most obvious examples of this are required English classes. These courses will teach you how to 𓆉write c🌟ollege-level research papers, which you will do frequently in other classes.
3. They could help you discover your true passion.
You may come into 𝓰college🌱 feeling sure of your major, only to have your feelings change when you start taking classes.
For some people, this change of heart happens a few years into their college careers, once the𝕴y begin taking classes in their declared major. For others, it can happen while taking a general education course that piques their 🌼interest.
Even if general educatꦡion requirements don’t convince you to change your major, they could help you decide on a minor.
Many students choose a minor not based on how it could complement their major, but on whether or not they enjoy the subject. So, if you take a gen. ed. course you enjoy but don’t want to make it your major, declaring it as a minor wou🐻ld be a good alternative.
It is true that you 🃏probably won’t enjoy every general education class you tౠake. However, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn can go a long way in making those classes much less dreadful.