Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Education.

Change in My Academic Plans
I’ve decided that an M.S. in psychology is iffy right now. I want to get a law degree, sure, and I want to go to UCLA to study the public health program. I have to wonder how to prepare for the LSAT and the GRE despite the way I want to study archaeology instead of psychology as a Master’s. I also am wondering how I can get my MFA eventually, if necessary. I think my law degree is more important than an M.S. in psychology, but if I wind up getting enough units for that, then fine. I’m still debating what it is I really want academically.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in Education
The University of Life
As a 21-year-old female living in rural England, growing up I had the same ideals drilled into me much like most other people my age: You go to school, get good grades, attend university, get a job and live happily ever after.
By Aimee Jones7 years ago in Education
Are We Smarter Than Rats?
Working as a school psychologist I have learned that we have become very behavioristic in our raising of children and in dealing with them in school. Kids don't behave and work anymore because it's the right thing to do, because it's good for them, or simply because it's what's expected of them. They do it for rewards. The attitude is, I have to get something out of it or I'm not going to do it. Everything is contingent, just like the classic rat studies we learned about in our general psychology class. We should be proud of ourselves. In our sophistication, we have lowered parenting and education to the level of training rats. Many parents and educators of course would disagree. They would explain that along with the rewards and incentives, they tell their kids that they should do something because it's the right thing to do. Parents would tell you that they teach their children such things as values, doing for others, and doing the right thing, but their actions speak differently (source). Classrooms today are fueled by rewards, and parents are told to use them. The more of a behavior problem a child has, the more rewards or incentives are offered to him. Sure the schools do incorporate some type of negatives (can I say that word?), such as time-outs, going to the office, losing points or privileges, but the carrots of rewards are always dangled. Basically, they are bribing their students and children to behave. They tell the child that if he stops being naughty they will reward him. It makes you wonder who is in control. And the same cycle often happens at home. Going back in history, do you think our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were rewarded for behaving appropriately and doing what was expected of them? Let's be honest. Of course not! If our ancestors had to be rewarded the way kids are today, humans would be extinct. So why are kids today different?
By Sarah Mia7 years ago in Education
My Second First Day of School
Currently, I primarily work at one middle school and am on a rotation of elementary schools every Thursday. This Thursday, I went to Ise Elementary School for the first time, and it was absolutely amazing. Just when I thought schools could not get any smaller than Hayashida Junior High School, Ise Elementary knocked it out of the park with a total of 54 students for grades one through six. Hayashida Junior High School has 89 students for grades seven through ninth, and it is the second smallest Junior High School in all of Himeji. The entire sixth grade of Ise was literally made up of eight students. The first and second grade classes were the largest with ten to twelve students in each.
By An Tran7 years ago in Education
Should You Learn French?
When I started learning French in high school, many people around me thought I had caught some cultural fascination with the French, with their baguettes and their berets, funny mustaches, and immediate urge to surrender (their thoughts, not mine).
By Gannon Kendrick7 years ago in Education
Tips for High School Seniors/Incoming College Students
As I begin my journey as a freshman in college, it’s hard to believe that I was just starting as a senior in high school a year ago and that I graduated a few months ago. I thought of a few tips that could help seniors in high school succeed and live their best lives and to set themselves up for success before they have to face the real world, because it’s not all fun and games after high school.
By Skyler Bennett7 years ago in Education
Top Ten Studying Tips
Throughout my academic life, studying has always been a love-hate relationship of mine. However over the years, I have discovered multiple ways to make studying easier and a little more enjoyable. Therefore, here are my top ten tips to remain focused when studying...
By Keen to Clean7 years ago in Education
Senior Year
I started my senior year of high school a few weeks ago. I feel bad for already marking this year as one that I’m going to struggle in, but it’s too late now I guess. I’ve already accepted that it’ll be a year of loneliness. A year of sitting at lunch alone, staying at home during the last homecoming dance and prom, crying in the bathroom during the passing periods in between classes, eating too much food, gaining weight, and wondering why God hated me enough to make me the loneliest person to ever exist and also the most dramatic. But that’s not really the point of this piece today.
By Alexis Cecilia7 years ago in Education
The Prep Year
Where the walls so tall and stately of our Alma Mater rise, Where the elm trees’ waving fingers strive to touch the bending skiesNature smiles with aspect sweet—darkly braided on the greensward at our feetLie the shadows of the elms.
By Toria Rainey7 years ago in Education
How To: Survive a Student Section
I love being in the student section during school games, but football is by far the best. For those of you who have never been in a student section football game, here's what you need to know to prepare yourself for this intense night.
By McKie Hunt7 years ago in Education
To School or Not to School
I regret going back to college. There! I said it! I think I've just figured out in the last month that college isn't for me. Being in an overly structured environment where I can't think freely or be free just isn't for me. And I know that sounds like whiny millennial privilege, but it's true!
By Jamie Stokes7 years ago in Education
How to Survive a Spiritual Curse (When You Don't Know Shit...Or Have Anyone...)
Part 1: The EDUCATED Fool... There I was...submitting my ninth application to whatever Nursing School would accept me in New York City. No one really told me that getting a Bachelor's Degree from Brooklyn College in Africana/Latino Studies would not only be a waste of time, but also a chain that linked me to more debt while I looked for a job using that degree. "Why would you want a degree in African/Latino History?" My Guidance Counselor asked.
By Cass Magic7 years ago in Education