In Search of...Something - Response

I completely agree with Bass's concept of education, both what we are being taught in school, and what our reason's for obtaining an education should be. You’ll meet people at college who are exactly like the individuals Bass described, who are simply going to college in the hopes of obtaining a well paying job and an easier life. These are the deceived and naive people, who when leaving college may find life to be slightly more difficult than originally anticipated. Then there's the people you see at college who have 160 credits towards their AA degree, but have it all in music or art. These are the people who are truly going to college to learn, and who want to "...Develop and advance our desires, so we can discover the things that are truly significant in life." These are the people who are going to find true happiness in their life, and be more satisfied. The people, who are living their life to the fullest, and learning for the very sake of learning.
Many people when they go to college expect to be shown exactly what they must do, what classes they have to take, and what teachers they should take these classes from. They expect to be handed their education on a silver platter, using none of their own initiative or knowledge towards making the wisest decision possible throughout their education. These people feel like since they’re paying for their education, that they should simply receive a degree regardless of their own effort or how well they did in the class. To become successful in college you need to have a clear understanding of why you want to get a higher education, why you’re taking the time and financial resources and investing them in this higher education. Because if a person is unsure of their motives or reasons behind obtaining a higher education, they might want to discover them.

Writing Strategy #1 - What points does Bass make through personal anecdote? How else might she have made these same points?

Bass delivers through her personal anecdote the idea that many people believe going to college will fulfill all of your life long dreams and goals. Because of the influence her fourth-grade teacher had on her, she says that she believed that life would be easier once she obtained an education.

She could have made this same point by instead of using personal anecdotes, using another person as the example in her narrative. She could have addressed it with facts, shedding light on what really happens when you obtain an education. And how that education comes about.

Exploring Ideas #3 - What class or experience helped you to develop your concept of education?

I grew up being home-schooled by my mother, so I've always had a slightly different idea about education than many of the people who have gone to public school all their life. I was taught that obtaining an education was going to be hard work, that I would have to dedicate myself to going to finishing high school and going to college. I would say that my mother has been the greatest influence in my concept of education. And rather than a single event or occurance, this mindset of mine has been nurtured over the years to become what it is now.