Passion can broaden, change and grow

Defining Facts & Opinions

An important part of reading comprehension is determining what a fact is and what an opinion is. To understand more completely, let's define each. A fact is a statement that is true and can be verified objectively, or proven. In other words, a fact is true and correct no matter what. An opinion, however, is a statement that holds an element of belief; it tells how someone feels. An opinion is not always true and cannot be proven. In education, children as young as kindergarten engage in conversation about fact and opinion. Why is this skill important enough to teach? Let's take a closer look.

Instructing young children on the terms and concepts of fact and opinion is a little like their emerging math skills - begin with the basics and allow for more information to come as they mature. We teach fact and opinion as a reading and analytic skill necessary for understanding and mentally processing text. Knowing the difference between fact and opinion helps readers make sense of information. Outside of reading and writing, children will come to recognize facts and opinions in their language. Hopefully, their choice of words when describing emotions or experiences will become more accurate as they grasp the nuanced nature of facts and opinions.

Instruction of facts and opinions builds on high-level thinking skills, such as explaining, proving, and defending. 

-study.com

Graduating from high school and thinking about heading off to college can be a scary time. It’s easy to convince yourself that your classmates have all the answers and you’re the only one without a plan. Stop right there. Even students with the most detailed life plans will change course along the way.

If you’re still on the fence about higher education, here are eight reasons why you should go to college.

1. Earn More Money

College graduates have more earning potential on average than people who only have a high school diploma. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that in 2018, people with a college degree made around $1,198 a week. Someone with a high school diploma earned just $730. That could mean non-college grads are missing out on $1 million in earnings, over a lifetime.

The unemployment rate for college grads is also about half the jobless rate of high school graduates. Getting a good-paying job is one of the top reasons why most people go to college. Beyond financial rewards, there are other ways college can change your life.

2. Break Out of Your Shell

College can be the bridge between childhood and adulthood. The transition is an opportunity for you to reflect on the person you were in high school, and the adult you want to become. If you quietly sat in the back of every class in high school, use your college experience to become more outgoing! If you wish you’d studied more in high school, college is an opportunity for you to hit the books harder.

3. Gain New Skills

Don’t be afraid to take classes that will improve your skills and make you more confident. Every class you take does not have to apply to your major. If you are a communications major, but computer science has always interested you, take a computer class. Overcome your fear of public speaking by taking a theater or speech class. Become a better writer by taking a writing class.

The idea of college is to grow personally and professionally. Also, take classes that are just fun. You could even take a horseback riding class!

4. Find Your Direction

What do you want to be when you grow up? You don’t have to know the answer to that question before going to college. Most schools don’t require a student to declare a major until the end of their sophomore year. That gives you two whole years to work on general courses and explore different majors. If you’re interested in psychology, take a couple of classes to see if it’s right for you. Some professors will allow you to audit a course, to find out whether you will enjoy that major. You won’t get a grade or credit for auditing a course, it’s just for academic exploration.

Consider taking a community college course while you’re still in high school. That will allow you to gauge your interest in a field of study while earning college credit. 

5. Live a Healthier and Happier Life

With more education comes the potential for a better job, a better salary, and better health benefits. Studies show that college-educated people are more likely to see a doctor regularly, are less likely to smoke, have a lower body mass index (BMI), and eat a healthier diet. An additional year of college decreases mortality rates by 15 to 19 percent, by reducing deaths from cancer and heart disease, according to a study by the Brookings Institution.

People with college degrees have higher job satisfaction and report their work to be more satisfying and interesting. A Pew Research Center study found that 55 percent of college graduates reported being “very satisfied” with their work. Only 40 percent of non-graduates reported the same.

6. Expand Your Career Options

Many job postings require a college degree just to get an interview. Employers understand that college develops your ability to think analytically, to understand complex subjects, and to better communicate your ideas. No matter what major you pursue in college, employers know you picked up skills in organization, self-discipline, and the ability to follow through on important tasks.

A college education also is expected to become more valuable. Some 99 percent of jobs created since the recession went to individuals with at least some postsecondary education.

7. See the World

Take advantage of college study abroad programs to experience a new country, culture, and activities. Study abroad programs can be very affordable, usually costing about the same as a semester at college. For most students, it may be the first time they’ve been out of the United States.

Study Abroad programs are more than just fun, they’re a great way to challenge yourself and to open new professional opportunities. Many employers are looking for graduates who have international experience. It shows you have knowledge of different work styles, an open mind, and good communication skills.

8. Get Involved

Living away from home for the first time can be intimidating. Try joining clubs and organizations to develop a new community and to make new friends with similar interests. Activities can also help you build confidence while developing important leadership and teamwork skills. If you’re interested in politics, try joining student government. If you just want a break from studying, find out when the Ultimate Frisbee Club meets. College offers you more than a degree. Clubs and activities provide endless ways to broaden your horizons.

The reasons why you should go to college go beyond getting a solid education. That’s because the opportunities available inside and outside the classroom will help you take the important next steps into adulthood and your future career.   

College foundation of North Carolina

Education is the most powerful weapon . We can use to it change the world. It is a saying but in today’s contest it is losing its charm.

 A word education we come across everyday several time. It means acquiring knowledge by learning. Now a very important question arises that how we learn. We learn from our day to day experiences. When we analyze any situation especially students their creative thinking develops eventually, it leads to overall development of students. Now, most of you would say, No, we learn from our books of physics, math, history, and many more but that is not learning that is cramming. 

This is what most of the students are doing today. Yes, it is necessary to study books for getting a job but not enough to live a meaningful and valuable life. We simply read our books get good marks what about our moral and ethical values that is missing in today’s students. They are not even distinguishing between what is wrong and what is right. What kind of education are that getting? A person left his old parents in old age home and he was having a number of degrees can we say that he is educated. No. True education is beyond earning degrees it is more than bookish knowledge.

Education means inculcating moral values, positive thinking, attitude of helping, attitude of giving to society and ethical values these kinds of students are only able to bring changes in society. They will become good citizen of country and most important one good human being such students are able to discover something new, out breaking. They will surely become successful in their life. It happens educated in true sense when if they are.

 Muskan (B.Sc-I PCM )
 

 

Grit is important because it is a driver of achievement and success, independent of and beyond what talent and intelligence contribute. Being naturally smart and talented are great, but to truly do well and thrive, we need the ability to persevere. Without grit, talent may be nothing more than unmet potential. It is only with effort that talent becomes a skill that leads to success (Duckworth 2016).