Well

Rounded Students

Delmi Rodriguez March 3, 2013

College is something that we students prepare for in the four years that we are in high school, and throughout these four years we gain qualities that make us suitable candidates to be part of the UC system of higher education. Based on the 2003 report that lists the dispositions and habits of mind which makes a student in college successful, we have a more conscious idea of what it is that the UC system looks for in their students. The University of California expects successful students to be well-rounded individuals by expressing passion towards their education, and being critical thinkers. To begin with, the UC and CSU system expects students to have a passion to continue their education and are opened to learn much more. This means, that these schools want students who are open to learning in different areas. Although students are entering these universities with a major in mind they are expected to take General Education classes which gives them the option to explore different areas of knowledge. For example, a student with a Humanity major has to take classes that have to deal with science, and in certain cases these classes lead these students to find a passion in a different field. In other words, they want students to keep an open mind. Furthermore, the UC and CSU system expect students to have passion towards their studies by showing commitment. Students show commitment by showing up to their classes prepared and ready to learn. In addition, students are expected to manage their time wisely, they must make sure their social life doesnt interfere with their education. By doing so, students show their angst for gaining knowledge; this is what these colleges anticipate from their students. Critical Thinking is also a crucial factor that these systems look for in their pupils. Students who are critical thinkers generally tend to experiment with new ideas they learned about or articulated themselves. These students start playing around with these new ideas and they can ultimately make connections of their knowledge to the real world. When students are critical thinkers they are able to take into consideration others point of views, this is significant because the student is exposed to different outlooks and gains information from it. By gaining a new outlook, students can look at the big picture of a concept instead of only seeing pieces of it. Critical thinkers are opened minded, these students arent afraid to be wrong. Usually these students tend to be the ones who engage discussions because they want to share their concepts with others. Critical thinkers arent afraid of criticism; some may actually prefer it because their way of thinking is being challenged. Once their ideas have been challenged, a critical thinker will reconsider if his ideas are right or wrong or they might end up changing their whole viewpoint. Being a critical thinker is expected from the UC and CSU system because scholars think outside the box instead of focusing on one idea. The UC and CSU system of education expects well-rounded, prosperous students who have a thirst for knowledge and the ability to think critically. Colleges expect this because they want their pupils to be well educated and prepared for lifes challenges. As a student myself, I strongly believe that I do meet the UC and CSU expectations because I have a passion for acquiring knowledge. My passion has led me to challenge myself by taking AP classes; this has transformed me into becoming an open-minded critical thinker. As a critical thinker I am able to make my own connections to the world. My angst for learning has also made me manage my time more wisely; I make sure I focus on school and not distractions. I am an innovative thinker who thinks outside the box. If I were in college I believe I would definitely prosper in these intellectual practices.

Well Rounded Students

Delmi Rodriguez March 3, 2013