Emmanuel R.

Wilson

College students have the wrong academic

requirements!

Mathematics and scientific studies are required courses from universities that many

students feel are futile. Because math and science are viewed as skills that will not be used

outside of the classroom, these subjects are disliked (Awasthi, 2017). What is the purpose of

increasing pressure on college students forcing them to learn information they will not use? Why

are we forced to follow through? Teach us information we do not quite understand so that we can

apply it to prepare us for the real world.

Yes, I understand there are a handful of those who want jobs that require a broad range

of math. In addition, many of the things we take for granted today would not exist without

scholars who have studied multiple hours to become a mathematician or scientist. Which means,

while others want to pursue careers that involve math and science, there are also students who

want a career which has nothing to do with trigonometry or the study of aerodynamics.

Studying these subjects may not come easy to everyone. Preparing for test by devoting

hours toward math curricular definitely helps the grade. What about the final outcome? Looking

ahead, how is curricular on algebraic expressions going to help someone who has dreams of

becoming a makeup artist? Strategies on managing money will certainly benefit any artist or

anyone who is human preparing for life. Being a Lab Rat is not what all college students want to

do. Pathways students choose are completely different, some may want to further their education

in hydrology or combinatorics while others completely despise those concepts. We are all

different! 53% of young Americans from age 18-24 have once found themselves saying they
 Emmanuel R. Wilson

cannot do math (Change the equation, 2017). Mathematics and Scientific studies should not be

required for college students unless this is the path someone wants to pursue. We want

knowledge that will stick with us throughout life.

Everyone wants to be financially stable. If young students are unaware of ways to enlarge

our bank accounts, the cycle of giving money to companies with no return will continue. The

money we spend on fancy clothes and accessories could be put toward a mutual fund or stocks if

we understood how the process worked. Universities should include requirements which

educates student on how to increase $400 to $800 rather than demanding us to learn about

inequalities or meteorology. A majority of students would think twice before spending money.

We are young, which means an investment now has a longer time span to increase for the future

rather than waiting 10 or 20 years to finally learn how things work.

Students who are juggling multiple jobs, sports, double majoring, and trying to get

involved on campus have a huge amount of weight on their shoulders. According to the National

College Health Assessment, almost half of all undergraduate students felt trauma or

overwhelmed regarding their academic responsibilities which include math and science. Also,

many students reported they have more than average or extreme stress (ACHA, 2013). If us

college students need help with managing time, and stress why add more by forcing academic

requirements that do not pertain to our careers? If a woman is heading to college to pursue a

degree in dance, Elements on the periodic table will not give her an advantage to her career. Add

required courses about money management, financial strategies, stress relievers, and things

adults wish they knew before the time was too late.

College students are different, but all have the same goal which is to become

successful in life. As humans, only the things we feel are important sticks with us. Mathematics
 Emmanuel R. Wilson

and scientific studies happens to be concepts that are not favorited by students. Fill our minds

with information that is useful to everyone despite the career path we choose. Acknowledge the

fact we are all different! Let those who struggle with balancing the stress of required academics

be free of the pressure they do not want. Learning about math and science has benefits,

nevertheless, understanding knowledge about the real world is the only thing that can prepare us

for the jump.

 Emmanuel R. Wilson

Work Cited

Schuder, Kirsten. “Statistics on College Student Stress.” Stress.lovetoknow.com, February 10,

2014, http://stress.lovetoknow.com/Statistics_on_College_Student_Stress

American College Health Association. “Undergraduate Students Reference Group Executive

Summary.” www.acha-ncha.org, 2013, http://www.acha-ncha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHA-

II_UNDERGRAD_ReferenceGroup_ExecutiveSummary_Spring2013.pdf

Strauss, Valerie. “Why kids hate school — subject by subject.” www.washingtonpost.com,

September 7, 2012, https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/why-kids-hate-

school--subject-by-subject/2012/09/06/0bf1acc4-f5d6-11e1-8398-

0327ab83ab91_blog.html?utm_term=.e0f19fa95d64

Awasthi, Ashi. “Why So Many Students Hate Math.” www.theodysseyonline.com, September27,

2016, https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-many-students-hate-math

Brown, Joel. “A Growing Challenge.” http://www.bu.edu , September 1, 2016,

http://www.bu.edu/today/2016/mental-health-college-students/

Change The Equation. “In a New Survey, Americans say, “We’re Not Good At Math.””,

changetheequation.org, N.d, http://changetheequation.org/press/new-survey-americans-say-

%E2%80%9Cwe%E2%80%99re-not-good-math%E2%80%9D