College or Bust

I too am of the opinion that not everyone needs or should go to college. Sometimes knowledge or skills learned/handed down can be more educational.
Susan

College isn't for Everyone

I agree! College is not for everyone. I am personally living the points of this discussion. I myself have a B.S. degree in Business Management. However, I work at a job that requires no college at all. I also have not been able to utilize my degree in this poor economy. I have many many friends who are also sitting in the same situation. On the upside, I do not owe very much in student loans and completed almost all of my schooling by paying as I went instead of getting in debt for my degree. This is due to being able to serve our country and being able to receive money to attend college. It was also something I wanted to do for myself and to be able to show my children that it could be done. I do believe though if you are looking at going to college just to make more money and not for it to be something you personally want to do, then you are going to be very disappointed when you graduate.

As a mother I do understand the feeling of wanting your children to go to college. I hope all of mine do, however forcing them to go isn't the answer. Many people live very happy lives and never step foot on a campus. Also, with so many people getting degrees it does lessen their values. If the degrees were meant to be that everyone should have one, then the government should be required to help achieve them, such as high school diplomas.

"For the most part, the articles we discovered on what a college degree is really worth were pessimistic about retaining valuations from a decade prior, with the rise in college costs and the current lack of jobs. However, a college degree still has value, just not as much as it did before this economic recession." This quote I found on http://collegestats.org/articles/2010/02/whats-a-college-degree-actually-worth-20-good-answers/

Before going to college, you need to make sure it makes since. If you are able to get help with payments and you have the time, then go for it, but I would never suggest to anyone to go in debt to pay for it hoping that a job is going to come along to help pay for it. Chances are you are going to end up with a broken heart and be paying on a student loan you can't afford.

College? - Tarav

My feelings on the craze of "everyone should go to college."

Do I agree? Absolutely not! However, as a side note, I believe most reference "high education learning" as college, correct? Examples including cosmetology school, tech schools.. in other words, vocational schooling. Even still, no I do not believe everyone needs to go to college, especially in todays age! I, personally, know many people who attended and graduated college with the major (and double majors and minors) of choice. Those people are either one, unemployed and unable to find a job or two, working a job that is considered to be under their schooling or skill level. So then, what good did college do for them?

On top of that, just look at how many self-made individuals have become successful using their skills learned outside of school online. As a member of the YouTube Partner community (these partners make so much money per clicks on ads and so forth,) I understand the amount of money that can be made doing something you desire, no college required. The top earner of the "beauty and style" section on YouTube (Michelle Phan,) started to make thousands of dollars form YouTube, without attending college. Obviously it was not needed for her to succeed. She is now participating in her career of choice and can decide whether she wants to go to college to build on her skills rather than going because she or her family feels she "needs to."

And as a little side note, my husband has attended some college, but has not yet finished with a degree. Even still, he is a Marine. Doing something that he has always known he has wanted to do. Defend his country. Something that he has desired since he was a small boy. Was college a necessity? Obviously not.

Sorry for this lengthy post, it is just something I feel strongly about. I spared you of a much longer post!

-Tarav

silent family

My family seems to have lapsed into silence lately.  To be fair, it seems to be more a product of too many things going on at one time and not enough time in the day.  On the other hand, in my golden years (hah) I have plenty of time to run my mouth.


Yesterday I downloaded the new version of Firefox.  I've used Firefox for my browser for several years now and really like it.  Usually the updates are not major changes but this time, wow, I've had some work to do to figure out where everything is.  I do like it.  It's faster and has some great new features.  So today I'll keep working on it.  Also got a new microwave yesterday and I've got to get used to it.  The controls are kind of different.  Doing new things is supposed to keep my brain healthy and active.  Hummm.

college

Since a lot of this has already been about education, what's your opinion on whether everybody ought to go to college?  I have never thought so, although that's been the politically correct thing for a number of years now, but it seems to me that we need plumbers, electricians, manual laborers, so forth, and those jobs don't need a college degree, and there's nothing wrong with being a plumber or electrician or farm worker for that matter.  And I think this craze of "everybody should go to college" has led to a lessening of the meaning of a college degree.  So what's your take on this one?

School Fundraisers

I have always been torn on the school fundraisers subject. I do not believe they should be sending their students out on the streets to find money for them to run their schools. Those fundraisers begin the second week of school every year and as soon as one ends, another is yet to begin. I believe there should be more involvement from say the PTO. I used to go to every PTO meeting but left feeling like I just sat there listening to their plans and how they were going to accomplish their goals. Not once was there ever a time where someone could really put in their ideas, so I gave up and stopped going. Seemed like they had it all under control from their stand point. However, in the inside, I feel these people should really be more involved in say finding money for the school through grants or even marketing the school out to community figures. I do realize that the lottery is supposed to be helping out the school systems too, however every time you get help from the, the politicians then lower the budget given to the schools from the state and local government. I also feel the pinch of the class room sizes. They say teaching assistants are going to help this problem, but really we have SO many people who have not been able to find jobs, why can't some of these moms and dads, go volunteer and help out in the classrooms. If maybe one position was a paid position of volunteer coordinator, you may actually have enough volunteers that you would not have to hire as many teaching assistants. Maybe the government could make it a win win situation by allowing volunteers to volunteer so many hours and take a paid for training after so many volunteer hours that can help them reach a certified teaching assistants certification. They will then be helping themselves as well as helping the school system in this very tough economy. Just a thought!

cookie sales

After thinking about it I think I'd come down on once a year cookie sales.  It makes it a special thing and I remember when I was working a lot of people really looked forward to the Girl Scout cookie sales, even the ones who didn't have kids in scouts.  They liked the cookies and they would plan on buying several boxes.

On the other hand, you all know my feelings on fund raisers that involve kids selling stuff.  I don't like it, especially when it comes to schools, and I would much rather just make a donation.  The ones making money are the companies that the kids have to sell for.

Girl Scout Cookies

I have two little Girl Scouts. Cookie time is always a difficult time of year, but for the Girl Scouts it is our best outcome. Although it is really stressful on both the girls and the parents it is the easiest fundraiser we do all year. The girls make enough money here to be able to finish their year of hard work on a few outings. I wouldn't necessarily agree with selling year round as it is a lot of work. However, if we could do the sales two times a year, I think it would be more successful than the first fundraiser we do every year. I myself have had way too many Girl Scout cookies, but I am always there to share my support and every year I buy a few boxes. I also let me girls each pick out a box as well for themselves for all of their hard work. I thank everyone who shown their support to the Girl Scouts by buying a few boxes. The girls are able to do activities that some of these girls would probably never be able to do outside of the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts teaches the little girls morals, respect, and to go after their dreams, and even if they do not accomplish everything they set out to do, they have a family of "sisters" to still love them and encourage them on.

Girl Scout Cookies (and Introduction) - Tara

First, allow me to introduce myself. I am a 21 year old mother to one, expecting another in July. I am married to a Marine and we are stationed on the west coast, therefore I am the furthest [in distance] from the rest of the family. I would say that my writing style compared to my grandmothers (the eldest,) is much different and possibly aggravating to her. I would say she is more skillful with her writing whereas I am more personal or a tiny bit more forgiving with grammar. Sorry grandmother! ;-P. I would like to think I can contribute to this blog with a bit of fun and youth!

As for the first topic; do I think girl scout cookies should be sold year round? This is a topic in which I do not have much input to share and could care less either way. I have never purchased a box for myself or anyone in my family. I have never been drawn in by the hype or the cute little girls trying to get my money (although it sure is hard saying no to their cute little faces!) Who knows, maybe one day my daughter will be a girl scout and I will be persuaded into buying some that way.

Looking forward to hearing the input from people who sell and those who buy!

By the way, I have my own separate blog if you would like to know more about me personally or if you are interested in learning my feelings on beauty, health, and other related (or at times, unrelated) topics.
www.taravc.blogspot.com

Elder of the family

As the oldest one of our family, come one and come all.  Join in and contribute your two cents' worth as you always have.  And as I have always said, I may not agree with you but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.  And remember, use factual points and not fantasy for your point of view.  And try not to get overly ticked off when someone disagrees with you.

Our First Topic

Should Girl Scout Cookies be sold all year?

Introducing Ourselves

In ever family there are members who we admire, love and these members can give you so much inspiration. There are also members who disappoint you at times, discourage you and that you may not always see eye to eye with. However, every member is your family and deserves to be treated with respect and sometimes you might just have to agree to disagree. With our blog, me may not always agree with the others point of view be we all do love each other and have always and will always be there for one another. With this said, everyone will treat each other with respect. We hope you will follow us and join us in discussion, but please remember to treat everyone with respect. As we begin our blog tonight, we begin with four family members. We are all different in age and we are spread across the country. We have all lived very different lives and we all have a different outlook on life because of our own experiences in life. We hope to gain followers and as we grow we may even gain a few more family members who would like to contribute. We hope we may gain some knowledge from each other and every one of you as well.

The plan thus far is that we hope to begin a new topic at "our dinner table" every week. We would love to hear from you as we share our point of views. As a family we have always had so much to say, however we have always remained a very tight family with an open philosophy. We would love to teach our children that not everyone is the same and people have different ideas.

Please follow us. As we go you will learn about us and see how a family can be so different but can still be a great family!