Research Blog 10

Abstract

My paper explores the choices one can make in college, and how they can affect post- graduation life. The three that I found most important were choice in finances, choice in socialization, and choice of major. I found that there are problems and solutions with each topic. Students who take out loans must choose wisely how they wish to deal with it during college, such as work a part time job, which proves successful. Students should find a equilibrium in their social lives, balancing between socialization and academics. Finally, choice of major can be crucial in success. One should find a major that interests you, which proves success. Some jobs pay out more than others, and it should be taken into consideration before choosing it.

Bibliography

Scholarly Sources:

1.Armstrong, Hamilton, Elizabeth A., Laura T. "Paying for the Party." Harvard University Press. (2013): n. page. Print.

2.Dietz, Janis. "The myth that college and major choice decides Johnny’s future." n. page. Print.

3.Kalil, Wightman, Ariel, Patrick. "Parental Job Loss and Children's Educational Attainment in Black and White Middle-Class Families.." Social Science Quarterly. (2011): n. page. Print.

4.The Institute for College Access and Success, . "Paving the Way: How Financial Aid Awareness Affects College Access and Success." (2008): n. page. Print.

5.Goldrick-Rab, Sara. "Following Their Every Move: An Investigation of Social-Class Differences in College Pathways." Sociology of Education. (2006): n. page. Print.

6.Holland, Eisenhart, Dorothy C., Margaret A. Educated in Romance. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1990. Print.

Secondary Sources:

1."Balancing College School Work and Social Life." College Advice. n. page. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/000241.htm>.   

2.Elizabeth Baylor and Sarah Audelo, . "What Do You Wish You Had Known About Student-Loan Debt and College Choice?." Center for American Progress. n. page. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/higher-education/news/2013/12/12/80908/what-do-you-wish-you-had-known-about-student-loan-debt-and-college-choice/>.

3.Fairbanks, Amanda M. "College Major More Important Than Degree Itself." Huffington Post. (December 12.2013): n. page. Print. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/24/college-major_n_866359.html>.

4.Ilgunas, Ken. Walden on Wheels: On the Open Road from Debt to Freedom. Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2013. Print.

5..Jonathan M. Orszag, Peter R. Orszag, and Diane M. Whitmore, . "LEARNING AND EARNING: WORKING IN COLLEGE ." UPromise, Inc.. n. page. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://www.brockport.edu/career01/upromise.htm>.

6..Kingkade, Tyler. "Student Debt Is Making All Your Life Choices Worse." Huffington Post. (2013): n. page. Print.

7..Jake Levy, . "The Smartest Party Schools In The Country."Buzzfeed.com. n. page. Print. <http://www.buzzfeed.com/jakel11/the-smartest-party-schools-in-the-country>.

8..Linda Emma, Demand Media, . "Why Is it Important to Have a Social Life in College?." Global Post. n. page. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/important-social-life-college-6425.html>.

9."Living at Home During College: Is It A Good Idea?."Campus Explorer. n. page. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/48E30BE4/Living-at-Home-During-College-Is-It-A-Good-Idea/>.

10. PHILIP A. BEAN, . "Choosing a Practical Major." New York Times. n. page. Web. 12 Dec. 2013. <http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/16/choosing-a-practical-major/?_r=0>.

11.Serrano, Ken. "Massive college debt can burden graduates for decades." Asbury Park (N.J.) Press. (2012): n. page. Print.

12.Szalavitz, Sara. "Why College Binge Drinkers Are Happier, Have High Status." (2012): n. page. Print.

13.Scholarships.com, LLC, Publisher, . Choosing A Major. (1998-2013): n. page. Print. <scholarships.com>.

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WFmB9fwdVbb4WoSWqZL_nnEruO0_IEdImd4rd8KRIpo/edit

Literature Review 5

Research Blog 9

For each topic, I have a counterargument for each. 

Financial-Students should know their financial situation, yet some make bad decisions and think they are good.

From a source listed on my paper-Some students think that by working full time and not taking out loans, they will cut costs. However this is not true. They may extend their undergraduate career by trying to juggle work and academics. 

Social- A social life can be harmful, or helpful.

From a source listed on my paper-A social life can be harmful in that it distracts you form your studies. But it can also be helpful-by providing time away from academics and work for relaxation, opening social circles, offering diversity, and opening networks. 

Major-Choosing a major can directly impact your future, or it wont, depending on which major you choose. The outcomes can be different. 

-From a source listed on my paper-Your major may not be important in that it depends on how you work, your gender, ethnicity, and race. There are so many factors that contribute to success in your major that it may not be the type of major that affects success, rather the individual person.

These counterarguments have been kept in mind as I write my paper.

Research Blog 8

I have interviewed a family member, as accepted by Professor Goeller, about choices made in college. I interviewed my grandfather about college, because I knew he handled college, being in the service, a family, and a full time job. I knew he had many choices to make, and decided I wanted to interview someone personal so that I could form conclusions about choices in college. I learned that choices are very important in achieving success, in that students must stay focused, even if they are juggling many things. Although it is a busy time in every student's life, the right choices can lead you on the path to success.

What were the hardest choices made in college?

-It was an easy choice to go to college, but the hardest choice was the subject load. I had to go at night and I had a full time job. I had to make choices of things I could and couldn't do throughout the year.

Did you socialize in college?

-No. I went to night school and had a family.

What was your major?

-Business Administration

Did you get a job pertaining to your major? If so, what?

-Yes-Corporate Auditor for a major utility company

Did your social life affect your academics?

-No.

How did you finance college?

-G.I. Bill of Rights

Did your financial choices prove successful? Why?

-I did not have financial choices in college, my GI Bill covered the costs. I just had to be responsible and go to my classes and manage a home life as well.

Do you feel you made the right choices in college to ultimate success? Why?

-Yes. From high school and being in the service, I was always focused that one day I would probably be working in the accounting and financial disciplines at some future time. I stayed focused and went regularly to my classes, did homework, and managed my social life and family. I proved successful because I made a comfortable living for myself and my family.

Research Blog #7

My "case" or most important area to explore is the overarching theme of how choice affects success in college. There are many choices a student will make throughout their career as a student, but some important ones include choices in debt, socializing, and choice of major. Being aware of debt can ease the lives of students, choice of friends that have similar interests affect success, and choice of major directly impacts the job one will obtain after graduation.These can all directly affect success or failure, and each student is different, therefore some choices may be easier for some or have less of an impact than others. It speaks to the debate in my proposal because these specific examples will help me to argue my overarching theme of choice in college. These three examples have been studied and written about, and I have found a theme among all. There is an overwhelming amount of information regarding choice of major, awareness of debt, but not much on socialization. However, form the sources such as Armstrong and Hamilton, it is clear that socialization has an impact on success.

Research Blog #6

This chart describes the life of a college student and what contributes to success. Included in the chart is personal factors, such as social choices and choices regarding debt, ability factors, such as the ability to achieve good grades, and circumstance factors, such as social class and debt. It is significant in that all the choices a college student makes are vital to their success. Included in these choices are ways of paying back loans, choice of friends and amount of drinking and it's affect on academics, and how social class and status can affect all of these choices. This chart demonstrates the top three major aspects of life choices that a student faces upon entering college and how much impact it will ultimately have on their success or failure.

Literature Review #4

2. Holland, Eisenhart, Dorothy C., Margaret A. Educated in Romance. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1990. Print.

3. The chapter I read had to do with how students, when surrounded by peers in which their work was important to them, were more likely to succeed than if they were friends with those who did not care. Students often complain about school to peers often, about too much homework, unfair teachers, and tests, and this can predict future career paths and success. Some friends do not care if you are failing or are having trouble in school, because they see it as a purely individualistic life choice. Friends do not get together to talk about school work and college majors. This can lead to failure for some who are involved in their studies. Students who want to succeed should surround themselves with people like them and who want to succeed.

4. The authors are Dorothy C. Holland and Margaret A. Eisenhart. Holland is a professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Eisenhart is associate professor of anthropology and education at the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

5. Socialization: a term (commonly used by anthropologists) to describe the process of inheriting norms, customs, and ideologies to participate in society. It is common in college culture and can ultimately define the amount of success one achieves after graduation. Friends are influential in choices and socialization, which can in turn affect academics. 

Peer culture: A social group of people who commonly share the same beliefs, customs, and ideologies. They can be greatly influential in choices regarding socialization and college pathways. 

6. "When Paula was asked directly whether she and her friends from high school ever talked about why they chose their majors, she said "No....It's just that we all picked things that we did well in high school". (164).

"In general, schoolwork and career decisions seemed to be conceived by the peer culture as matters of individual choice, not for group discussion or debate". (164)

"For most, schoolwork and peer activities were viewed as competing domains: time spent studying was time spent away from peers, and time with peers accomplished little schoolwork". (165)

7. This material helps me to explore my question because it discusses why students choose to be with friends, or why they choose to do school work and how they relate. I found it interesting that many people thought time spent studying was time away from peers. Students go to school to learn, as well as being peers. But they are paying to be there for academics, not socializing with friends. Students seem to place a lot of importance on socialization, which is why I am exploring how this socialization can affect success.