Why College Is A Waste Of Money

[Root beer]

From my instructor: "This is a school of hard knocks assignment. It is up to you to figure out how these features work. I will answer no questions"--Then what the point of spending thousands of dollars a semester if this is all the instructor is going to say? If I have to spend more time teaching myself than the instructor, I want my money back.

[A-Jay]

That's classic !

Perhaps an appropriate response to that could be this . . . .

Don't do Anything in class all semester; don't hand in any work, basically do not contribute or participate at all.

Then at the end of the semester hand him / her a single sheet of paper that reads:

" I am a hard knocks student. I have figured out how these features work and scored a perfect grade in your class. I will answer no questions".

A-Jay

[Root beer]

It is an Excel assignment. I have to do some data validations and add input messages. One of the field needs a specific source and I have to add the source. However, the instructor didn't specify any sources where the numbers can come from. Trying think of something clever to add in this field...He'll probably take points off too... I'm not exactly on his good side either. One of my accounting professor from another class preach being attentive to details. The first paper I turned in for that class I made two grammar mistakes and he gave me me an 80. I made an A on rest of the papers after that. Well, the last assignment I turned in for this class was an Access assignment and he printed out the assignment and wrote our names on it and gave it back to us. He spelled my name wrong and of course I pointed it out and implied he needs be more attentive to details...Oops. I get random points taking off on each tests and cannot even understand why. All he says is "it was my teaching judgement that decided your grade." Eff him.

[K_Mac]

Root beer college instructors are just like every other professional group. Some are intelligent, caring, and committed to doing their jobs well. Others are idiots. Hopefully one semester and you're done with this genius. A college education is a valuable thing. Don't let the idiots get you down. Enjoy the ride.

[NateFollmer]

Heres my take on college...

If you can learn it yourself, don't waste your time. Programming, graphic design, marketing, accounting, management, etc... self teach. Obviously you can't do this if you want to be a doctor or something similar. I've learned more on my own (both working and during my own time) than I ever did in college. Heck, in one class me and a few other students practically taught the thing while the teacher tried to act like he knew his stuff... I saw him working at a pretzel stand in the mall a few months later.

[jeremyt]

K-Mac is exactly right, and it's not only in college where you will find this apathetic attitude. I would advise you to adjust to it and do what you need to do to help yourself be successful. You will deal with this the rest of your life, in college and the work force.

[Root beer]

It's not the attitude it the whole thing. Pay a boatload of money for "teach yourself" attitude from professors is what irks me. Normally I would teach myself and then impress employers with it, but I have to have a paper that states I qualify for it. No big deal, but when you spend so much money and time you expect to get a professor that teaches. That the point. Otherwise it pointless go to college if you can teach yourself and show employers you can learn it without a paper and spending boatload of money.

[jeremyt]

It's not the attitude it the whole thing. Pay a boatload of money for "teach yourself" attitude from professors is what irks me. Normally I would teach myself and then impress employers with it, but I have to have a paper that states I qualify for it. No big deal, but when you spend so much money and time you expect to get a professor that teaches. That the point. Otherwise it pointless go to college if you can teach yourself and show employers you can learn it without a paper and spending boatload of money.

I agree whole hearted, but unfortunately that piece of paper is what gets you in the door 99% of the time.

[Redlinerobert]

College isn't a waste.

Well, it is if you allow it to become one.

[slonezp]

Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.

Nevre went to college. Here's what I know.

Figure out how those features work. Read up on them, talk with others about them, figure them out. That's what will separate you from the masses when you get out in the real world.(Please don't take that the wrong way) School should teach you the basics. You need to keep an open mind and continue to learn something new everyday of your life. Strive to be the best at whatever you do and you will be successful.

As far as the expense of college

My son is a college student and the only issue I have is colleges and universities pushing a liberal agenda. Education should be unbiased. Especially if you have to pay for it.

[tomustang]

College, it's a joke now. before it use to mean something, you learned. Then universities got greedy with money and started accepting anyone and now hand out degrees on toilet paper. Jobs became the same way, they hire you if you have a degree but only IF you go back to school for a degree they want you to have.

[SirSnookalot]

College isn't a waste.

Well, it is if you allow it to become one.

Well said !

Recent laws in some states have opened up opportunities of employment in the agricultural and landscaping businesses , no education or resume required. The only prerequisite is a strong work ethic for long hours and low pay.

[Lund Explorer]

Heres my take on college...

If you can learn it yourself, don't waste your time. Programming, graphic design, marketing, accounting, management, etc... self teach. Obviously you can't do this if you want to be a doctor or something similar. I've learned more on my own (both working and during my own time) than I ever did in college. Heck, in one class me and a few other students practically taught the thing while the teacher tried to act like he knew his stuff... I saw him working at a pretzel stand in the mall a few months later.

I really want to meet the self-taught accountant who understands GAAS & GAAP, the required steps for a simple Compilation and Review engagement, or can explain breakeven sales. I want to meet the banker or financial institution that will provide a company with financing for a major loan package when the company's accountant isn't either certified or at the minimum accredited.

Without a formal education a person could probably become a decent bookkeeper, but that person won't come close to a fully educated professional in the field.

[Sam]

Root Beer, your post is intriguing.

You did not share the name of the course or which degree program you are in nor what are the "features" being considered.

Does the professor want you to use your brain in lieu of just sitting in class and taking notes to parrot back in the tests?

There is a method to his madness? He is challenging you and the rest of the class on a level you are not familiar nor comfortable.

He has not limited you with boundries or the need to focus on any one issue via questions to him.

Just go out and put your brain to work.

Sounds like a difficult class and some people will have problems with the assignment.

As for college being a waste of money, it depends. If you are a loser with a negative personality then yes, no matter what level of education you will be a loseer. Like all the CPAs working for the IRS as Customer Service Reps. They will never work in the accounting industry as they have personality faults and cannot get along with others. These people are "book smart" and that's all they have. Good grades but no people skills to be absorbed into the normal workforce.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, a college degree places you higher on the hiring list as it shows you are trainable. Not necessarily smarter than those without a college degree, but trainable. The degree gets doors opened that otherwise would not be open.

Plus the fact that I have read that a college degree will increase your overall income by at least $1,000,000 over your lifetime. Enough additional money for a big bass boat, big motor, big SUV, lots of gas and oil and fishing equipment.

After you earn your degree then you have earned the right to critize your school or professors, etc. Until then you don't have a leg to stand on to critize anyone associated with higher education. You are on the outside looking in and not a part of the industry.

It would be wonderful if you attend a college with a good sports program so you and your family could enjoy cheering on your teams. Many universities have fitness centers open to their students, faculty, staff and their families that you can take advantage. All have some sort of a placement program to help you find employment after you graduate.

So please attack the crazy course and its assignment with others outside of the school to obtain their help plus speaking to your fellow students to get their imput and nail this assignment to the wall!!!!!

[Root beer]

The class is Accounting Information System. I have spent 12 hours multiple times in one day working on query assignments using Access. He doesn't explain all the features for the software or anything else about it. He doesn't show us how to set up formulas, doesn't show us how to dissect large blob of information into smaller pieces to used for the queries and all of that crap. I think I could learn it better and faster if he shows us in class how the features work, then we applied what we learned in class to the assignments. I thought that was the point of having an instructor? I made a 90 on last two query assignments because my formula wasn't coded correctly, but the query results was the same answers as he expected. I didn't know how to do it his way...At least in the real world the boss shows me his way, right?

I don't think I'm go back and get my master's. I already got all the paperwork to go forward with the Certificate of Management Accounting exam. I just have to turn them in to the IMA. I have an interview with Flowers Food in March. I worked with this company in high school and part of college as a merchandiser. I know the company's brands, their sales operation, etc. The plant president of the bakery in Morristown is going talk to me and it's highly likely they'll send me to corporate or another bakery and train me to be a controller for one of the bakeries. If I like that I'm stick with it until I can become plant president. If I hate it then it will likely give me motivation go back to get my master's and take the CPA and go into auditing. That is assuming the plant president can find a place for me and give me opportunity to work as a controller after they train me and I prove I'm ready for it or they feel good about me in that position. If they ask me to go work in sales, I'm going to turn it down. I'm not doing that again. CMA is almost same as CPA minus taxes and auditing. Or I may work as a controller for awhile until I find a business I feel like buying or starting. I don't have the motivation to go back and get my master's at the moment, not to mention the federal government cut spending on graduate students loan and I cannot even afford to go without taking out loans in possibly multiple places and burying myself in debt when I'm not 100% if it what I want.

College just mess with my mind more then I want it too. It can make you feel discourage when you have bad professors or you feel you aren't being taught well enough to understand the materials, etc. I just wanna pass, then graduate in May and move on.

[dulouz]

Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.

I have always hated it when people say this. If you can't do it, then you shouldn't teach. Besides, I have known plenty of people who can "do it" very well that were HORRIBLE teachers. There are good teachers and bad teachers just like any other profession. Maybe the teacher was trying to teach you to be self reliant. I had one like that in college, and at the time it frustrated and angered me to no end. Looking back I know what he was doing and have a lot of respect for what he was teaching me by not giving me all the answers.

[slonezp]

I have always hated it when people say this. If you can't do it, then you shouldn't teach. Besides, I have known plenty of people who can "do it" very well that were HORRIBLE teachers. There are good teachers and bad teachers just like any other profession. Maybe the teacher was trying to teach you to be self reliant. I had one like that in college, and at the time it frustrated and angered me to no end. Looking back I know what he was doing and have a lot of respect for what he was teaching me by not giving me all the answers.

I agree there are good and bad in every profession.

The issue I have is people who become teachers/professors with limited or no real world experience. Couldn't hack it in the working world, but spent tens of thousands on an education. They justify the expenditure by becoming a teacher. No, I'm not saying all teachers are like this. The same applies to someone who works for 6 months, decides they know everything there is to know about said business and start up there own. Nothing against people trying to better themselves, but chances are they will be unsuccessful. Skilled labor requires skill. There are many different levels of skill. Some people are born with it. Some people can develop it. Some people are clueless. There are also those who are taught incorrectly and can succesfully perform a job incorrectly their entire lives.

I'm a skilled tradesman. I have no problem sharing my knowledge with others. I appreciate a person who asks questions. I don't give them the answers, just guidance and suggestions.

[Chris at Tech]

If you just sat around in college waiting for the professors to teach you everything you need, then you missed the point of college. The biggest benefit I got out of my college education was learning HOW to think, and to use that to solve problems.

[Hamby]

Here's a funny story...

I said my english professor looks like conan o'brien because he has a similar hair style. The guy is overall pretty cool, and he laughed about it. Just coincidentally the following day my "class participation" grade dropped to a 15 out of a possible 35 points. We only have 400 points so far. That's a loss of 5%. I now have a C in his class. Those professors have your balls and wallet in a vice....be nice.

[Stasher1]

The class is Accounting Information System. I have spent 12 hours multiple times in one day working on query assignments using Access. He doesn't explain all the features for the software or anything else about it. He doesn't show us how to set up formulas, doesn't show us how to dissect large blob of information into smaller pieces to used for the queries and all of that crap. I think I could learn it better and faster if he shows us in class how the features work, then we applied what we learned in class to the assignments. I thought that was the point of having an instructor? I made a 90 on last two query assignments because my formula wasn't coded correctly, but the query results was the same answers as he expected. I didn't know how to do it his way...At least in the real world the boss shows me his way, right?

I don't think I'm go back and get my master's. I already got all the paperwork to go forward with the Certificate of Management Accounting exam. I just have to turn them in to the IMA. I have an interview with Flowers Food in March. I worked with this company in high school and part of college as a merchandiser. I know the company's brands, their sales operation, etc. The plant president of the bakery in Morristown is going talk to me and it's highly likely they'll send me to corporate or another bakery and train me to be a controller for one of the bakeries. If I like that I'm stick with it until I can become plant president. If I hate it then it will likely give me motivation go back to get my master's and take the CPA and go into auditing. That is assuming the plant president can find a place for me and give me opportunity to work as a controller after they train me and I prove I'm ready for it or they feel good about me in that position. If they ask me to go work in sales, I'm going to turn it down. I'm not doing that again. CMA is almost same as CPA minus taxes and auditing. Or I may work as a controller for awhile until I find a business I feel like buying or starting. I don't have the motivation to go back and get my master's at the moment, not to mention the federal government cut spending on graduate students loan and I cannot even afford to go without taking out loans in possibly multiple places and burying myself in debt when I'm not 100% if it what I want.

College just mess with my mind more then I want it too. It can make you feel discourage when you have bad professors or you feel you aren't being taught well enough to understand the materials, etc. I just wanna pass, then graduate in May and move on.

Ummm...no. Don't expect the boss to show you anything more than how to get to the break room.

It sounds to me like you dropped the ball and should've taken a course on Access prior to signing up for this class. The school I go to actually requires ALL incoming freshmen to take a computer course that covers the majority of programs you're likely to need during you're time at the school, and anything not covered in this course would be available as a seperate course and outlined in your student handbook.

You signed up for an accounting class, not a computer class. It's not the professor's responsibility to prepare you for his/her course. That's your responsibility, with guidance from your advisor.

[Captain Obvious]

I think my marketing professor says it best.Here is his definition of what a college education does for you.On a side note this is being applied to business school

"A college education teaches you how to think, solve problems, and communicate in a professional setting"

Which means that unless you acquire those skills you are wasting your time and money at college.

Capt.O

[J Francho]

Wait until you get into the real world and have to take the corporate required training about workplace harassment and export compliance, LMAO.

[Root beer]

Ummm...no. Don't expect the boss to show you anything more than how to get to the break room.

It sounds to me like you dropped the ball and should've taken a course on Access prior to signing up for this class. The school I go to actually requires ALL incoming freshmen to take a computer course that covers the majority of programs you're likely to need during you're time at the school, and anything not covered in this course would be available as a seperate course and outlined in your student handbook.

You signed up for an accounting class, not a computer class. It's not the professor's responsibility to prepare you for his/her course. That's your responsibility, with guidance from your advisor.

I didn't drop the ball on anything. I've done everything they asked me to do. I did take a computer course. I made an A in it. Only we used Excel, PowerPoint, and Words. The rest of the class was over computer hardware and general bullcraps. This is first time I have ever used Access. Period. I never used Access in high school either. Nor did I used it in middle school. I didn't even know what Access was until I got into this course. My laptop only came with Excel, PowerPoint, and Words..I had to get Access for this course.

[JoePhish]

I ran into a few of these types of teachers when I was in college.

Pretty much in every case they were tenured teachers.

This is what happens to someone when the threat of them being fired for poor performance is taken away.

My favorite teachers in college were the young ones who still had a passion to teach.

[Root beer]

I think my marketing professor says it best.Here is his definition of what a college education does for you.On a side note this is being applied to business school

"A college education teaches you how to think, solve problems, and communicate in a professional setting"

Which means that unless you acquire those skills you are wasting your time and money at college.

Capt.O

I have yet to hear a guidance counselor or any faculty members in high school to say that. Which is sad, because you would think they would speak about college from their experience rather than telling them to go because society demands it. They are telling kids to go to college for all the wrong reasons and not giving them the reality of it.