You Should Appreciate The General Education Courses That You Are Forced To Take | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

You Should Appreciate The General Education Courses That You Are Forced To Take

College is about expanding your mind and having new experiences.

72
You Should Appreciate The General Education Courses That You Are Forced To Take
unsplash

I have never heard of a student who did not complain about at least one of the general education classes all students are required to take. Whether it is history, math, English, or science, everyone has a subject that they hate.

I have heard engineering majors complaining about taking a writing course, computer programming majors complaining about taking communication classes, and English majors complaining about taking biology. Students always gripe about these general education classes, but here are six reasons why general education courses are incredibly important to a college education.

1. Makes you well rounded

It is important to have a wealth of information so you are able to contribute to society. Voting, raising children and taking care of your body all require information. For example, it is helpful to know about history and economics when voting on policy.

2. Helps you be more successful in your field

Different professions borrow information from many different disciplines. It makes you better at your job if you have supplemental information. For instance, a student who wants to be a professional therapist specializing in eating disorders will be more equipped for the job if he or she knows about nutrition. So a mandatory health general education course will benefit the student.

3. Helps you decide on a career

You may take a class that you absolutely love and end up changing your major. If you weren’t required to take the class, then you would not have ever known. Conversely, you may take classes that you hate, and this reaffirms your choice of major. This can potentially remove doubt from your mind.

4. You meet people outside your major

Often, especially at small schools, you will have a lot of the same people in your major classes. This is good for building long-lasting friendships, but it is also beneficial to meet new people. Many times, different majors will have different subcultures. Theater and dance classes have a different atmosphere than math classes. Experiencing these different class structures will enhance students’ social education.

5. You discover new aspects within your field of interest

An English major might be required to take a US history class. During the course of the class, the student might fall in love with how the government has evolved since it was founded. Due to this newfound love, the student might decide to minor in pre-law and attend a law school after college.

6. Make more neural connections

Studies have shown that the more connections you make between different areas of study and areas of life, the more interconnected your brain becomes. The neurons in your brain have tendrils called dendrites that grow closer together as you learn more information and practice more skills.

The closer your dendrites are, the faster your brain makes connections. Learning new information and making connections between classes helps your brain function faster.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

86970
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

11855
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

12230
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments