It’s a known fact that college students are cheap. You see college students walk into a restaurant and you know for certain they won’t leave a tip, if not 20 cents. During syllabus week, professors say students will need the textbook, but sure enough they are ready to prove they indeed do not need a $250 textbook. Parking permit is $360 for the whole year?! I’ll just park 10 miles away and walk to campus. We’re so cheap that Mr. Krabs could learn a thing or two from us.
College students can pay a range from $5,000 - $40,000 in tuition. On top of that, we get told by professors that our mandatory materials cost $400 a course. And then there’s housing, parking, food and other necessities. And with that, I understand that some students will cut back on paying for certain things they don’t think they need, like parking.
Something so important you would think parking should be free. But think about it, it shouldn’t be. Someone, some time ago, had to make this parking structure or parking lot. That’s a lot of concrete, construction and hard labor that we still need to pay back. I’m sure we’re all familiar with “loans” and “paying back.” How is it any different with construction workers? Like tolls on bridges, we’re still paying for the construction that allowed for the bridges to be there, so we can pay back those workers.
And sure, it might seem too expensive, but the college has to make some profit. How are they supposed to keep a large space of land fully functioning with electricity, water, trash removal, Wi-Fi, etc? You can’t expect a college to somehow get better if you don’t give them the money to do so. Yes, there’s government funding, but you’re crazy to think a large percentage of money is going to the education system.
I’m stupid with politics and half the time I don’t know what I’m saying, but this “free college” idea proposed by Bernie sanders is stupid. Everyone is entitled to an education, but going to college isn’t just an education. It’s learning and studying to reach a specific profession, a profession that can’t be done by just anyone. K – 12 public schooling is free for a reason; everyone should know their alphabet and everyone should know how to find x in a math problem.
But not every person should have the same opportunity for being a doctor lawyer. mathematician or teacher. Why?? Because, for example, doctors should be detailed and never make mistakes and should be the brightest and most intelligent with their studies. But with free college, a careless, ordinary person has the potential to be a doctor, ONLY because they have a desire for loads of money, and not because they actually care about the wellbeing of patients. And this is the same for every profession. You can’t just jump into an education building and expect to be handed a credential to teach. You have to prove you understand the responsibilities and duties you have as a teacher.
It’s basic economics and common sense. Nothing in this world should be easily achieved and that includes a Bachelor’s Degree. You can’t expect a flower to grow out of soil if you never planted a seed to begin with.
