Is College "worth it?"

Being both a college professor, and the parent of a High School student who is in a college search, I have been thinking a lot lately about what a college education is all about. Recent news reports have correctly pointed out that college is more expensive than ever, and the cost to attend has been rising faster than inflation.  Interviews with young people or parents question the need to attend college.

Such questions are natural, and even healthy. Each individual must decide if college is "worth it," with "it" being time, effort, payments of tuition and various expenses, lost wages (compared to four years of gainful employment), sacrifices made by family and friends, and more.  In assertion that it is all "worth it," some will point to the esteem gained by a college degree; some will tally up additional earnings potential of a career paid to a college graduate instead of wages paid to a non-graduate. Obviously additional occupations, promotion and advancement are possible with the degree.  College expands social networks, including in some cases life partners (e.g., one of my students announced this weekend that he's become engaged).

It's possible that what we have is a natural contraction in progress, and the precentage of our population attending college may fall. For years, the situation in the United States has been that attending college has become commonplace, and it was believed it should be available to the majority of High School graduates.  This is a recent phenomenon. It wasn't long ago that college was possible for only a small minority of HS graduates. I suppose the general rise in affluence in the country, and the social changes (such as GI Bill or draft avoidance) associated with our 20th-century wars are probably big factors.  In any case, we expanded college to many more students.

The huge numbers of students admitted in years past almost certainly felt it was "worth it," indeed a dream come true. What has changed? I'd suggest that our social norms and priorities have changed. Frankly, we just don't value any education, or truly any intellectual achievement, as highly as before. College still allows eager students to truly grow and develop in many important ways. College graduates still become leaders, and help society to tackle tough problems (perhaps most importantly, knowing what are meaningful questions). The real question is, do we still care?

Mid-Life Crisis!!!

I put several exclamation points on the title of this post, but truly that's misleading. Frankly, my mid-life crisis has been less than dramatic.

I suppose it started when I bought the motorcycle a few years back. It was strictly an opportunity purchase...a friend mentioned the bike was for sale, it was cheap...boom. Done. I didn't think too much of what this represented, except for a chance to have fun and bring back memories from high school.

Supposedly our country entered the current economic recession perhaps a year before it was "official," the data analyzed and pronouncements made. That reminds me of my mid-life crisis...it sort of crept up on me, and I was probably well into before identifying it as such.

But the data start to pile up, and I had no choice but to realize the truth. My back gives me twinges, my Optometrist tells me I need bifocals, I realize I really am old enough to be the father of the college students I teach.  The youthful Paul scratches to get out: taking up poker games with the guys, brewing beer at home, and just trying to keep a sense of fun about me.

That's all well and good. But my mid-life crisis also manifested in an entirely different way, with bouts of self-reflection. It's been healthy, I think, and hopefully will help me focus. I asked...What am I doing? What legacy will I leave behind? These were deep questions, but not at all depressing, but rather affirming.

So, I'm pondering myself professionally, as a husband, as a father...and simply as a human. Perhaps that's part of the impetus for this blog?  More musings to come.

In the meantime, Rules of the Road for guys contemplating a Mid-Life Crisis:
1. Don't fear this. This is healthy. Use it to improve.
2. Yes, you're getting older, and Yes, you'll feel it. So what? That's what's SUPPOSED to happen.
3. Go ahead, have some fun. If budget allows, get a fun toy. Pal around with the guys.
4. Find some time to think, analyze, assess your life. You've probably accomplished more than you give yourself credit for. Start by asking if the people around you are better off for your presence. Be honest---hopefully the answer is yes. If not, then you have more to worry about than those extra twenty pounds, receding hairline, or not making your first million by age 40.  But if you have family and friends who care about you and vice-versa, you're probably doing all right. Go ahead and set a few goals, make mid-course corrections, and enjoy the ride. To quote Red Green: "We're all in this together!"

Garden 2011

I've been adding some photos, and some musings in the captions, over on Facebook.

Perhaps a few thoughts about gardening in general? Gardening has always been a social activity for me. I started in college, as an activity in the environmental club. It was cool in that we had our own plot, but were joined by ordinary citizens of the area...many of them with small/no backyards who simply wanted to garden. I enjoyed swapping ideas and sharing excess produce (ever try growing a whole row of zucchini squash? Not recommended.)

At Central College, we've had an organic garden for some years. It's located close to campus, so again it's social...local residents can wander in and check it out, profs bring classes over, and we have had several meetings there to discuss sustainability. We've had students showing leadership, and have several retired profs working on it.

The Garden Party last year was a great example of the social garden. I hope this is an annual event...it is both educational and fun.  And we get to talk about plants and food and we eat. I brought some of my canned foods, and shared recipes. I'll bring the campstove this year, and actually can something so people can see that process (and how easy it is!!). We can commiserate about squash bugs. It's an excuse to enjoy some fresh air. And yes, there will be food!!!

We'd love to have you join us at the Garden sometime.

First Post!!

OK, now I'm a blogger. I suppose it had to happen eventually.

I'm not sure where this will lead, perhaps even nowhere...but, I thought I'd give it a try.

Thanks for stopping by.  Watch for more posts...probably.