101. Tversky suggests that the big choices we make in life--such as which profession we choose, what we major in, what college we go to, or even who we marry--are "practically random." Our deepest traits are revealed not by these decisions, but by the way we react to the decisions we've made. As he puts it, "That I became a psychologist is not very revealing. What kind of psychologist I am may reflect deep traits."
Similarly, some people might say where you go to college matters less than how you go to college; what you major in is less significant than what kind of student you become.
What kind of student do you aspire to be?
Before my Academic All-State Banquet, my teacher warned me that some of the other students might look down on me for going to a small university in my hometown. This is a teacher who graduated from a small high school, was an Academic All-Stater, and went to ECU. (A lot like me!) She is an incredible teacher and makes strong connections with her students. I definitely agree that a “small” decision, like what kind of student you are, is much more important than a “big” decision, like what school you go to. I hope to be a hark-working student that puts in all the effort needed, and is able to make connections, both academic and social.
ReplyDelete-Michael Draper
From a very young age, I have aspired to be the best student I can be. Throughout all of my education, I have strived to be a successful student, one who makes good grades and obeys all the rules. Keeping up with my aspirations, I have obtained all A’s my whole education, I have received multiple medals and awards, I have never had to attend detention, nor have I had any suspensions or expulsions, I even graduated third in my high school class. I plan to keep this up throughout college if possible and I strive to be a student that every teacher likes.
ReplyDelete-Grace Watters
I do agree as it doesn't matter what school you go too, but the amount of effort you put in. At the same time you don't want to become too engrossed in studies that you miss out on life. I hope to be someone who balances both homework and thee activities I'm involved in.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that how you go to college matters more than what college you choose to attend.
ReplyDeleteSince I was young, I have always worked my hardest to be the best student that I can possibly be. I do not want to be a student in the background, I want to be the student that a teacher would think of when she thinks of her best student. I want to be known as a hard worker and known to do well in my classes as well in my life.
-Anna Herd
I quickly came to learn that the specific college that you choose to attend means less than how you attend the college once you're a student there. I think that many college students, especially students that are told that they are "gifted" from a young age, are pushed to pursue ivy league, expensive colleges. However, I think that the decision to pursue a higher education in general for the right reasons is all that matters in the end. I've always been a student that genuinely enjoys learning and I appreciate the opportunity to receive higher education. As a student at ECU, I am completely satisfied with the decision that I made to attend this university, even if it is a smaller university located relatively close to my hometown. I think that size, price, and location mean nowhere near as much as the student's reasons for attending and future that they plan on working towards. As long as students feel that the faculty truly wants them to succeed, with help easily accessible, I think that they are capable of achieving the same goals that they have set, regardless of the university they attend.
ReplyDeleteEmiley Cole
After succeeding in high school, as many of us in this program have, it was considered shocking that I chose to attend East Central instead of a more expensive and higher ranking school. A lot of people looked down at me for my decisions, but I agree with you. I like my decision to pursue a degree at ECU. I believe that if I was given the choice again, that I would stand by my original decision.
DeleteI aspire to be a punctual, respectful, and hardworking student. Being on time whether it's on assignments or to class is something I personally need to work on, and being respectful is the most important aspect for me. I’ve always been pressured to have straight A’s and be a perfect academic student, however I totally agree that my university and my major are extremely insignificant in the course of my life because neither of those things will ever define me as a person, but what will is how I choose to use them. I was worried to come to ECU because i’m from Ada and its looked down upon because it’s not OU, but I’ve realized over the years that it’s more important to me to get a good education that won’t leave me in crippling debt after 8 years, than it is to waste it in Norman for 4x the price.
ReplyDelete-amelia holtzman
DeleteComing from someone who did their freshman year at a bigger school, I feel like my perspective on this question might be a little different. Now that I’ve spent a year at ECU as well, I can say with 100% certainty that where you go to college does not matter as much as it seems. Comparing the business school that I was previously in, the one here is completely different. The difference isn’t in the name of the university, but the people that you learn from while you attend whatever university that you end up at. While I did my freshman year at a larger university, I can definitely say that you feel more valued here. I would almost say that attending a “smaller” university is more advantageous than attending a larger one because of the relationships that you have the opportunity to make. You’re more than an ID number here. As for what major every student ends up in, that’s a different story. Personally, I feel like what you major in and what kind of student you become is all determined by your attitude, mindset, and circumstances. When it comes to what kind of student I aspire to be, I would want to be someone that is driven and committed to achieving whatever I set my mind to.
ReplyDelete-Maggie Summers
Throughout my school career, I have gotten straight A’s, with minimal effort. I do not mean this to brag, because it just hasn’t been challenging. I hope to be a student that is willing to work hard in harder classes. I hope to challenge myself and know that there is a possibility I will fail. That will be difficult for me, because the thought of getting a B or less scares me. I know that it will not be the end of the world and that it means I’ve tried to challenge myself. I also hope to be a student that is a well-rounded human.
ReplyDeleteBeing a student who has always valued my education and career, this subject is something that I have seemed to struggle with a lot. As a student in high school, I always held the thought in the back of my mind that, essentially, if I did not get accepted into Harvard, followed by attending John’s Hopkins medical school, I was an epic failure. Of course, it didn’t take me long to realize that, for one, Harvard is expensive. But more importantly, ECU is awesome and offers so many great opportunities. I aspire to make the most out of everything being offered to me by ECU and use these opportunities to help me be the best student I can be. It is important to me that all of my professors know that I deeply respect them and their class, even if I don’t particularly enjoy the subject. I also always try to be there for my peers and be willing to assist when and where I can. As long as I am putting forth the effort to help other people, I know that I will always benefit as a student in one way or another.
ReplyDeleteI aspire to be a student that works diligently to obtain the goals that I have set in life. I am determined to pave my own way and life. This line from the Undoing Project was among my favorite because it altered the way I see my own decision-making process. For years I have stressed immeasurably over achieving the big decisions in my life correctly (whom to marry, when to have children, and what degree program I should follow) instead of focusing on my character and the kind of mother, wife and chiropractor that I wish to be. Small decisions can often be equally as important as large ones. We often stress the importance of large life events, thus overlooking the importance of being a good person today. I wish to be a kind, motivated, and thoughtful student. I wish to be the person that improves the days of those around me.
ReplyDelete-Macy Phillips