College is a stepping stone from high school and adolescence into a career and adulthood. It's a long-term investment in one's life. College is a test of intelligence, it's discovering yourself , and, most importantly, it's a lesson on life.
We all know that everybody's different. Some people are prettier, taller, more atheltic, and more talented. You never really know who the smart ones are at a glance. Although there are IQ tests and many more exams that may measure a person's mental capabilities, you need something more than just a slip of paper. "College is, essentially, a four-year intelligence test (Menand)." Intelligence is measured by much more than 50 or so questions. It's someone's creativity, wittiness, ability to absorb, time management. College brings out all of the traits of intelligence. You must have good time skills, learn fast, and think way out of the box to survive the road to a degree.
Along with a test of intelligence, college is a point in which many people discover themselves. However, according to McArdle, increasingly the time and cash spent to earn a diploma is leaving kids off "worse than they were before." Although this may be true for some cases, it's not true for all. College doesn't just help you master your craft, it also helps you "learn things to enable you to do things with your life, to enable you to find interests and pursuits that may in some way or another expand the way we see things (NPR staff)." College is about finding yourself and what you want to do with your life. I for one think the investment is well worth it.
Last, but not least, "The first aim of a good college is not to teach books, but the meaning and purpose of life. Hard study and the learning of books are only a means to this end. We develop power and courage and determination and we go out to achieve Truth, Wisdom and Justice. If we do not come to this, the cost of schooling is wasted (President Watson)." College teaches you about life. The good and the bad. You gain power with knowledge, and with great power comes great responsibilty.
All in all, college may not be for everybody and that's fine. We're all different anyway, but if you want to test your intellectual abilities, learn a little about yourself, and take in all the knowledge and power you can, college is well worth any and everything you put into it.
That was really interesting and fun to read. I like how you have your paragraphs divided into your points and the fact that you have a really well written conclusion. It really ties all your thoughts together. I also like how you have your opinion mixed in with quotes from other people.
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