After the whirlwind of settling into Berry this week, academia is probably last on your list of worries. You will worry, however, once you realize how many hours in the library it will take to survive it all.
The amount of general education classes we are required to take seems daunting. I’ve often complained, felt overwhelmed and questioned the importance of learning information that didn’t directly apply to my major. Coming from a public school background, the demanding course loads exceeded my expectations. Nonetheless, Berry is a unique place, as freshmen and transfers will soon find out. Unlike large universities, we actually have to show up to every class. More likely than not, you’ll write at least one or more paper for each general education class and commonly give presentations. It’s all in the process of cultivating well-rounded students.
As much as I’ve complained for the past three years, I have recently come to understand why getting a liberal arts education is so important. The humanities help us understand history and cultures outside our own. They foster a yearning for social justice and teach empathy. Mathematics and science classes like statistics help students collect trustworthy and unbiased data. Astronomy can make its students feel incredibly tiny in a universe appearing incredibly infinite. No matter which subject, each professor stresses the significance of writing well.
Tying all of these elements together is where the real magic happens. Taking a variety of classes not only helps you decide what to major in, but also helps after graduation. Employers want future employees who can communicate, analyze and use critical thinking skills to solve problems on their own. A liberal arts education is also great preparation for graduate school.
The humanities really resonate with me. I think without them, natural sciences and medicine would not be as successful. At the root of all products and services are humans, and without the ability to understand and communicate, humanity would be at a disservice.
Before attending Berry, I viewed the world through a very narrow perspective. Growing up in a small Tennessee town didn’t expose me to the diversity I needed. With social media and expanding amounts of technology, the world seems smaller than ever, but we underestimate its actual size.
We share this planet with over seven billion people. Rather than merely considering, but actually studying and digging deep into the historical roots of others is a beautiful process. The Berry community is filled with people from all walks of life and absolutely everyone has a story. Everyone you’ll meet these next four years has endured many obstacles that are worth noting.
Go into each class with an open mind. Put aside what the mainstream media says and your grandparents’ opinions, and put in the time to develop your own ideas. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing what you’re arguing about.
General education classes will be difficult, but they will challenge you. Maybe you will discover the perfect major that was meant for you. My hope is that what you learn in your general education classes will help you understand the human condition which we all have in common.