Street Smarts

When thinking about higher education, intimidating, motivational, or even fun thoughts may come to mind. Many say college is not needed to be successful this day in age; however college education is a vital piece to the puzzle of success for many. Receiving a college education will lead the student down the path towards a career, form resourceful connections that can last a lifetime and bring an overall sense of achievement in one 's life.
Beginning in the third grade, when end of year assessments are first introduced the word college is brought up in connection with good grades and a good job. As the school years progress that connection is constantly brought up as motivation to do well and make good grades. Some will bring up people they …show more content…
No matter how hard someone has worked in college, whether they have an associate, bachelors, masters, or even doctorate degree, there is no way to avoid trials and tribulations. When tough times approach a college student will not lean on what they have learned in college, they will begin to develop a sense of "street smarts". An article in the textbook “They say, I Say” there is an article entitled "Hidden Intellectualism”, written by Gerald Graff. The article begins talking about “street smarts” and how most people who are “street smart” do poorly in school. However, this is not always true. Tough times lead to development of street smarts. Here is a college graduate holding a master’s degree, whom has been laid off from their great paying job loaded with benefits waiting in line for a bed at a local homeless shelter. With thoughts racing through their mind, wondering how they got in this position. Through all of these thoughts they begin to think of who to call on for help. If they were smart enough to have made connections with people from their college that could be what puts them back on track to greatness. Connections with advisors, librarians, student services staff, professors who have worked in their field, classmates, etc. could help them find a job and get back on their feet. There are so many resources offered to students at different colleges, it takes having those street smarts …show more content…
When someone graduates college, they leave knowing that they have completed a level up to high school. College is not easy, and it is not meant to be. College degrees are for people who are dedicated to their own success and are willing to work hard to get ahead in life. Frequent trips to the library, student services, and tutors have helped lead many to their career through resume writing workshops, meet and greats with representatives of people in specifics fields, and other resourceful opportunities. Without attending college those connections some people would have had a harder time finding work in their field. . All of the long nights spent writing papers, study sessions, trips to the library, and stressing is over with. And it was definitely worth walking across that stage and receiving that degree. On Santa Monica College’s news site, entitled thecorsaironline.com, an article written by Maria Dimera states, “A college degree is more than just a piece of paper. It is an experience and an accomplishment that no one can take away, no matter what comes after college.” Emphasis on “no matter what comes after college”, things happen in life. Deaths, births, illnesses, job loss, natural disasters, etc. can sneak up on anyone. No matter what happens in life a degree will always remain and the accomplishments that come with it will also remain. If one