Making Connections

There are a variety of mixed messages in college that everybody will experience. Students sometimes get mixed messages about such things as sexuality, drinking, and the value of education. An issue where I've gotten mixed messages is sexuality. As a child, I thought being homosexual was abnormal. I didn't think it was wrong, but it was something I didn't understand what it meant. I wasn't prejudice against homosexuals. I just didn't understand the mentality behind it and I wasn't exposed to it enough. As I grew up, I soon learned more about homosexuals and the struggles that they go through for being who they are. Soon enough, I came to realize that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being attracted to the same gender. Love is love; people should not be judged based on who they choose to be with. For example, on my soccer team I have two friends that are homosexual and I know people who cringe at the thought of homosexual. Today, people still are homophobic and are scared to associate themselves with homosexuals. One thing I think our community needs change in is acceptance and appreciation. I believe if we could all accept one another than it could be a better environment for everyone to be happy and be proud for who they are. And it's good to know that there are many people and  organizations in the world that promote gay rights and gay marriage as this issue is brought up daily in our society. 

Chapter 2: Earning and Learning: Are Students Working Too Much? by Martin Karmer

In the article, "Earning and Learning: Are Students Working Too Much?" by Martin Karmer, he questions if students are working too much. He talks about how students are over loading their schedules and how it negatively affects their learning. I think he's blaming college and aid offices for the problem that students are working too much to reduce their college debt. Kramer believes that the increase of college tuition and the aid offices are giving less and less grants to students, so this forces them to find a job, which also causes overwork with school work and other duties. Kramer states "so the aid offices expect students to cover a larger percentage of their budgets through earnings (and loans) to meet expectations of "self-help." Based on my experience as a college student, I think Kramer's indictments are valid, because I'm only taking 4 classes and sometimes I feel over scheduled and occasionally forget important events like activities around campus and even my soccer events. I'm currently unemployed and I took loans which makes me want to get a job, but after reading this article it makes me worry about my social life and how it would lead me to a really stressing schedule. Many students who have a full-time job and attend school, usually don't have enough time to socialize, join extracurricular activities, and even just experience the college life. So, I believe that students can become more successful and reach their fullest potential if they weren't overloaded with school work and having a job.