Back to school, back to each professor saying that their class is the most important.
I have taken a plethora of units in science, art, physical education, personal development and just about everything in between. Over the past years, I have been told or have seen various lists with titles along the lines of “classes everyone should take in college.” The problem with most of these is that they are riddled with the bias of the major of the individual creating the list.
Back to school, back to each professor saying that their class is the most important.
I have taken a plethora of units in science, art, physical education, personal development and just about everything in between. Over the past years, I have been told or have seen various lists with titles along the lines of “classes everyone should take in college.” The problem with most of these is that they are riddled with the bias of the major of the individual creating the list.
If I were to personally choose the most life changing class that I have taken, it would hands down be Newspaper Production. However, as I have mentioned bias, it is not on my list that everyone should take. Some people take it and run with it, some take it a run far, far away. It is not for everyone. Not every major is and not every class. Nonetheless, there are three classes I truly believe that everyone should test the waters of. These are friendly to those who are just starting out, still attending, those who want to go back or are lifelong learners.
Interpersonal Communication is the first college course I registered for and is first on my list of recommendations because of how broadly it applies to everyday life. While a communication class is relevant for transfer or graduation, most people opt for oral communication. While I love public speaking, not everyone is comfortable with it. Oral communication can just be cruel and unusual punishment. People ultimately have the choice in life on whether or not public speaking will be a large factor of their life and those who rather stay away from it will benefit more from interpersonal communication. Not only for the shy, students who are more outspoken in class thrive here. Interpersonal interactions occur everyday and this class teaches the verbal and the non-verbal, the latter making up for the majority of communication. Oral communication is still occurring in this class, but with the emphasis on everyday interactions. Students become familiar and comfortable with a more personal setting of communication. Not everyone spends their life giving speeches in front of classmates—most will spend life communicating with others.
Second on my list is an exercise activity or a gratuitous art class. This is vague, but it is user friendly. I would like to specify and emphasize that it be one that can be done alone. Yoga, kayaking, jewelry making, ceramics and so many others are classes that can become hobbies and it is important to have something that can be done without anyone else. While in the class, there will be the instructor and classmates but students will be able to take the skills they learn and use them after the semester ends. Plus, the prices are unbeatable for what you learn especially if taken at a community college.
Political Science courses are either a dread or a thrill. And then there are those who are in the middle.
This serves as the general make-up of the class as well as America’s population. There are people who hate politics and believe that the system is corrupt and self-serving. There are those who sway to both sides but stand in the middle. There are those who love politics and then there are the apathetic ones that do not even show up to the polls on voting day. Unfortunately it seems that the apathetic ones are the majority. Voter turnouts in the United States are embarrassingly low for a nation that boasts and preaches democracy. A democratic system is nothing without an informed, voting population. This goes hand in hand with political science classes. For this one, specifically Introduction to American Government, or a colleges equivalent. Citizens of the US absolutely need to be informed and this is the best way to do so. Courses are comprehensive and suited for different knowledge levels. I went into this course with a fairly high aptitude of politics in general and came out knowing things such as each Supreme Court justice’s name, and in depth specifics on the Electoral College. When asked, many do not know what the Electoral College is or that it exists, let alone how it works. This class should definitely be taught as required learning earlier on as it covers a wide range of everything to do with Americas political system.
These three all count towards categories for transfer or graduations. Sometimes they are overlooked when a student just wants to take the bare bones amount of classes and get out. Taking some time to figure out interests or exploring new areas can mean everything when it means choosing how a life will be spent.
