As the thought of college approaches, my parents and I have been in an ongoing debate about the idea of going to a conservatory versus a liberal arts college. They have agreed to let me study music in college but only if I get good academic education along side it. My problem is most of my top choices are conservatory's where it is difficult to get a good education. My parents say they think an academic education is important even if I want to be a musician because they want me to be an actively thinking member of society no matter what I become. This is my question: why do you need a formal liberal arts education to develop your mind and be a critically thinking person. I believe that an active mind can be achieved independently. In my opinion, an active mind comes from reading, communicating and zealous an involved thinking if you are motivated enough. It seems to be an American assumption that you need a college education and a liberal arts degree to have a truly educated mind. I wonder what you really get out of college that you can't achieve on your own other than a piece of paper that label you and allow hirers to gauge your intelligence and qualification.
Please comment and let me know what you think!
Aiden, I'd have to agree with your parents. My parents also want me to go the liberal arts (vs. pre-practice) route because liberal arts schools teach you to become a better learner, thinker, and writer.
ReplyDeleteFor example, American Studies is class I probably won't study in my life. I want to go into broadcast journalism, and the things I learn in this class probably won't apply to my future career. But this class really pushes me to think, and look at things critically, and is constantly (including now) developing my skills a writer. Why be an expert on something if you can't write about it? I know you may not want to agree with it, but I really think a liberal arts school will make you smarter person as well as musician.