Not Ready for University; In Need of Advice

[Zuca]

Hello everyone! I am Zuca (well, not really, but I like to pretend). I am 19-years-old and graduated from the public school system in 2006, where I spent my entire K-12 career. I am currently in community college, and struggling because of a combination of bad study skills and a lack of fundamental knowledge and abilities. By the end of next summer I will have my AA. I want to transfer to a university afterwards, but at this point in time, I feel completely unqualified and unprepared to have a meaningful experience there.

A lot of people can play the game and get through school without actually learning, or so it seems, but I cannot do that. I don't want to just get through it and get a degree so I can make money; I actually want to learn. Gaining knowledge and comprehending ideas in order to understand the world is my life's greatest ambition, and I want this to be the pillar of my experience at a university. But in order for this to happen, I need to fill in the (huge) gaps in the foundation of my education. So, after I get my AA, I was thinking about taking a year (possibly two) off to self-educate, and learn everything the public school was supposed to teach me in order to truly be successful at a university. I don't know how taking a break will effect my getting into a university, but I feel it is absolutely necessary.

I was hoping you all could advise me on this. After reading through TWTM and seeing what real education can be, I don't see any other way of not only fixing the damage done to me in a broken system, but gaining the real education I have been craving. However, my knowledge and my experience are limited, and it would be extremely beneficial to hear what you all think of this idea, and any advice, warnings, and suggestions you can think of.

Any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!

[Claire]

Personally, I think you should move on to a four-year college and simply plan on taking additional courses to fill in any gaps you have and to broaden your foundation of knowledge. That is, if you can afford it! You don't have to take all courses for credit. You can audit courses that are not pertinent to your degree but which you think are necessary. You can use TWTM as a guide for these courses.

Taking time off between your AA and a university would most likely not affect your admission at all. However, every year you are older makes it less likely you will complete your formal education. Marriage can interfere, having children can interfere, needing to work to make ends meet can interfere. The older you are, the more likely you are going to encounter events that change the course of your life and move you further away from formal education.

As evidenced by your writing ability in your post, and the fact that you are close to completing an AA, you will be well-qualified to enter university. My advice is to not postpone it.

Also, remember that learning is a life-long experience. You do not need to take time off from a university in order to learn.

[Jan P.]

Zuca,

You might want to check out the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. They are an organization that helps college studies get a liberal education at the colleges where they are studying. They have study guides to help with this. There is a study guide called the "Core Curriculum". It is like getting a classical education at almost any university or college. Here is the link to this book:
http://www.isi.org/books/bookdetail.aspx?id=f7237e64-ca1d-4d41-986d-1c076a1d799f .

I also think that if you apply the principles of studying that you have learned from TWTM, then that will help you greatly in college. Learn to outline, summarize, work on your writing, etc. Don't be afraid to get help with your college's tutorial programs. They may have folks who can help you get on a better track with your study habits. I think a lot of poor study habits comes down to poor time management. Get a daytimer if you don't have one already. Write down when all your classes are, appointments, and then add in when you need to study particular subjects. If you are wanting to work on Great Books, then pick out one book and set a little time to study it daily or twice/week. I was able to read a few great works on my own during my college years. I think I read War and Peace during a summer break.

Some of us didn't have a Classical Education during our educational years. I went to a public school and a public university. There are a great number of Great Books that I haven't read, nor have I had formal Latin training, nor formal logic training. I have been self taught in many of these areas since college. You are in a position where you could get some of this training at a college if you choose to do so. However, if you must take a year off from college then do so. Yet, as the other poster suggested, it is difficult to go back to school when you've been away from it awhile. I know many folks who did not go back to school after taking time off.

Please think of going over to ISI. I'm sure these folks could help you out. There may even be a group that meets at your own campus.
http://www.isi.org

Blessings,

[Cadam]

"The Well Educated Mind" might be of help to you, It's more about self education than TWTM and also "how to read a book" would be helpful.

[Zuca]

Claire - Thank you for your reply.

One of the reasons I want to study independently is that I have been constantly disappointed by my CC classes. Those I though would strength my foundation failed to do so. Most were meant to build upon and/or make use of knowledge and skills I don't have (or am weak in). I feel that my classes would be much more enriching if I had a more solid foundation to put them on.

I can write in general alright, but I struggle with formal writing. And what things I do know come from either my natural nack at it, or from habit. I am not conscious of what I know. I could write something, but I probably couldn't tell you why I did it that way. I also lack historical perspective, which is critical to understanding everything. Also, comparing my own knowledge to that of what I imagine a student who has been through something like the curriculum in TWTM having makes me feel like I am millions of miles behind. These are the reasons I feel unprepared for university. I am already struggling with CC, and my perception is that university will be harder.

I do realize these are things I can learn without taking a break from school, but I really feel that I need them before I go on, and also that taking the time to study them thoroughly and systematically will be more beneficial than absorbing them more sporadically over time.

Your point that "the longer you're away, the farther you stray" is a very good one, and was one of my concerns. Though I feel confident right now that I will go to a university, I also know how time and circumstances can change things. However... being better prepared trumps my concern about this, but it is something I need to thoroughly consider.

Even though your reply wasn't what I wanted to hear... (haha), it was certainly good to. I will keep it all in mind as I work out my plan for the future, so thank you very much for your input. I really appreciate it.

[Zuca]

Cadam - Thanks for the recommendations. I actually have TWEM on hold at the library, so hopefully it'll help once I can pick it up.


Jan P. - Thanks for the link. Since I already know what I want to major in (philosophy), and I'm almost done with my AA, so choosing classes isn't so much my dilemma. My concern lies more in lacking fundamental knowledge and abilities (such as language skills and historical perspective), which will hinder me in working in higher and more concentrated levels.

I do want to apply the techniques described in TWTM, but I need to learn to do them first... I do realize I have plenty of time to learn things, but again, it's missing parts of my foundation, upon which all other knowledge is built, that is my worry. But, I think I may be overestimating what I need to know to be better prepared.

I'll be sure to give ISI a closer look, it seems interesting. Thank you very much for your input!