College is a time when students tend to build upon their beliefs, ideas, values, etc. We are surrounded by a more diverse group of people than ever before; we get to hear other people's different opinions on social issues, politics, economy, and really everything. To me, this is what makes college the growing experience that it is. Although I might not agree with other people's ideas, I'm interested to hear them because I want to be more open-minded and I truly want to be able to see the world through other people's eyes. Yet, many college students are not so keen on compassion, complaining about this immersion of ideas. These students would rather stay close-minded than to listen to others. While this ignorance in college-aged people is awful, it's even worse when we see it in those who are supposed to educate us, those who are supposed to be introducing us to new ideas: our professors.

Now, my opinion usually (okay- never) meshes with that of the student body here at IC nor with that of the professors. But that doesn't stop me from speaking my mind when it's appropriate- such as in argumentative essays or classroom debates. I usually try not to inflict my opinion whenever it is not necessary, but college is a time to let our opinions grow and strengthen so it's often hard to keep quiet. Still, I avoid controversy whenever possible.

Recently, I received an essay assignment that would prove itself inevitably controversial. My professor, in a post-election rage, wrote out the assignment for our essay, choosing every sensitive debate that exists as our prompts. I could have gone one of two ways:

A) I could have written exactly what my professor wanted to hear, adding to the pile of similar-minded essays, and feeding into the real prompt of the essay which was to have the class act as "yes men" and dutifully agree with her.

Or, B) I could have written my opinion, knowing very well that she would not appreciate it, but write it nonetheless because it's college and it's time for me to grow confidence in my beliefs.

Stupidly, I chose the latter.

Each draft of the essay I received back was marked each line with corrections. I don't mind constructive criticism, because as a writing major, I live for criticism on my work. What I do mind, however, is criticism for my beliefs. Certain parts of my essay were not marked with grammar mistakes or vague ideas, but rather, corrections of sentences that stated my opinions, which is what the essay called for us to do. At the end of my essay, I received a detailed "Notes to consider," or rather, a pathetic last resort request from my professor to change my essay.

Like I said before, this is not the first time I've encountered a professor who does not agree with my beliefs. I am not only used to but perfectly okay with that, because I respect others, even if we share different ideas. I usually choose not to express my opinions to avoid any controversy, but I am willing to if it is asked of me. However, it is professors such as this one who have taught me that it's better to stay quiet than to speak my voice.

College is a time for growth of beliefs, but this is not limited to the students. Campus life is booming with hundreds of different ideas and it is everyone's duty to listen as much as we speak and to speak as much as we listen. Many of my professors have said that they chose to be a college professor because it's a job where they'll never stop learning.

So open your eyes to the world around you. Take your head out of the sand. Listen. But also speak. Let your voice be heard, not stifled. Let your opinion be known but acknowledge and respect those of others. I challenge you to look at life in a way that is different from your own, and just maybe, you too will see the world differently.