"What Does It Mean To Be Well Educated?"

Every person has different interests and abilities. That is why I agree with Kohn when he questions if there actually exists one definition for being "well-educated." I also could not agree more with with him when he states that memorization and tests are not a good way of learning. The perfect example is my brother and I. Although six years younger, my brother knows more than me in many subjects. I have adapted Freire's "banking concept of education." Teachers tell me what I need to do to get the grade and I do it. I am trained to obey and when I try to disobey, like not turn in an assignment, I freak out and feel like I have already failed. Memorization is my survival technique in school. I memorize for tests but recollect very little by the next week. I am what one would call "book-smart." I have high scores but they mean absolutely nothing. I even have problems formulating my own opinion. I try to memorize someone else's and put it into my own words.On the other hand, my brother has lower scores than me but knows twice as much. Often times when I am doing some biology homework he comes and peeks over my shoulder and says,"God, we already did that. The mitochondria is the power-house in the cells, " or goes babbling on about some history figure and his life in great detail. I blame our schooling system for the way I turned out. But maybe it is not too late; I am really starting to open my eyes. I used to chastise my brother for not doig his homework and such but in all honesty I hope he keeps it up.

My Possible Major

So I finally sat down and went on Columbia's "Majors and Programs" website and found something I might enjoy doing. Although all this time I thought about becoming a Bachelor of Music: Composition, something in the back of my mind told me to keep looking. And I did. I considered journalism, but not just any journalism. I want to write for a magazine, more specifically in the beauty department, and last night I found "Magazine Writing and Editing" as a possible major for all interested. I am still battling with my thoughts because I feel like a traitor to music. The real problem lies in our economy. Nowadays, it is hard to be true to what we really want to do because everyone is looking out for a spot for themselves in the economy. Music, unfortunately, has a tiny one, and I realize it will be difficult to make a living with a music degree, and it really doesn't help when everyone around me keeps repeating that. My parents, for example. They are the ones who got me singing, entering me into different contests, paying for private lessons, etc. But they won't hear of music becoming my life long companion. They know it's small money. The kind of music career they would like me to have requires a lot of contacts with big people and money to begin with. So I figured our economy may always need writers. I'll begin by writing about what is interesting to me, and like every girl, I love make-up, fashion shows, etc. This would, of course, require me to take some fashion design classes and make-up artistry, which are the kind of classes I would be looking forward to. And if our economy goes completely down then I'll drop the "girly" writing and get on into the world affairs and problems. The world needs reporters, right? Oh boy, this dilemma is beginning to be bigger than me!!

Workshop #1

So time has finally come for our first workshop, and let me tell you - I was more nervous than the people whose essays we had to critique! I don't like to tell people what I think about their essay because sometimes they might take things the wrong way and that will just discourage them. Fortunately, the workshop went very well. I listened and took notes on what others were saying as if the paper in front of me was my own. I must also comment on the way the room was set up. I liked sitting in the circle because I was able to see everyone. Now, I wish I signed up for a workshop. But, oh well. I can not wait for the next one!