Kim 1 Rachelle Kim Dr.

Lessard HO PACS 001 21 September 2012 To Think or Not to Think (2 Reasons) Weve all heard the stereotypes that accompany the thought of university life. Its often said that university is to be the best four years of our lives, in which we forge friendships that last a lifetime and of course the finding yourself statement. Despite the triteness of such statements, I especially find the latter to be of more importance than many people may initially think. But rather than finding yourself, I find finding your conscience much more fitting. The most indispensible thing that university education has to offer is the knowledge that we will utilize to make the best possible decision when presented with any issue through becoming better thinkers and better problem solvers. With a college-level education, we are further developed into better thinkers. With classes from the university, students are able to essentially think on a much deeper level, and for many, this exceeds what high school had offered or even asked for. For example, rather than thinking in black or white, students are better able to see all the nuances present in a problem and seek out every possible solution, then they can finally decide what the best choice is; students are able to think along the whole spectrum of things rather than the two extremes. This is gained by striving to live up to the expectations of professors, having more opportunities to speak our mind, living school life with fewer restrictions. With this kind of experience, we are not only able to think less superficially but more insightfully, taking into account the differences that are present in every case. We are not only trained to think deeper in class but also in reality, and in

Kim 2 our lives. With this deeper knowledge, which possesses perception and encourages a more insightful thinking process, we are able to utilize our practices from class and apply it to our own lives in any situation. University teaches us how to be better thinkers and how to be better problem solvers, a skill essential for living life in the real world. Without such knowledge it would be hard to function properly in society. The knowledge gained from classes goes beyond answering practice problems on a worksheet; it can be extended into the realm of the world we live in today. Whether it be problems of our own, between groups, or even between nations, problems arise every second; it is an inevitable fact that we must live with. This does not mean we have to suffer from them, rather we should find rational and pragmatic solutions and work together to bring out a better good, small scale or large scale. The most important part of ones life is self. Self is you, and you is self. Not knowing yourself is equitable to walking around in a new world without having any prior experience and knowledge. Not knowing yourself is like being a complete noob. Knowing how to decide for yourself and not depending on others is a necessity. The education we receive as young adults is the education that could very well in the end shape our lives, thus shaping who we become. Without having everything handed to us on a silver platter we are pushed to go out and get what we want. There are no more teachers and parents to hold our hands for the path ahead. University teaches us the lesson that what you give is what you get. The more effort and time you put in, you get better results and you have only yourself to depend on and blame for later. With the added freedom we are able to make more decisions on our own rather than relying on paternalism from adult figures in life. For example, the biggest decision I have made thus far, was my choice of whether to go out with my friends or stay at school and revise for exams. Even though such a decision may seem miniscule compared to what

Kim 3 decisions we make later, such problems help make it easier when harder decisions have to be made. Little problems train us for the harder times when bigger decisions must be reached. I had only two answers: yes or no, but the end decision was ultimately reached as a result of an integration of thinking processes: cost-benefit analysis, utilitarianism, pragmatism, and even some deductive reasoning. From skills that I had learned in high school and university in maths, economics, and even English class, I was able to reach the most pragmatic decision for myself. The thinking strategies and rational concepts we learn are the keys to making better decisions for a better life. I hope that university continues to provide an even deeper foundation for my conscience that will aid me in making even more important decision later in my life. Granted, there will always be problems in the world around us, knowing our minds on a deeper level, is what will get us through life. It will better prepare us for the infinite bumpy road that lies ahead.