RECIPES FOR

COLLEGE SUCCESS

Written By: Diarra Everett, a

freshman student at University of
North Carolina at Charlotte
UWRT 1101-041

CHAPTERS
Introduction

Letter to Reader

Decision Factors

Solutions

After Being In College

Closing Remarks

Works Cited

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

The past, present, and future of higher education are all dependent upon each
other. The trend in the number of young adults attending colleges and universities
increases every year. One of the main reasons for higher education is so that one can earn
a degree while building their resume. More students pursue a degree to get a higher
paying occupation rather than pursuing what they are passionate about. Are college
students pursuing money over passion?
After reading an excerpt in the chapter, What is College For, from The
Excellent Sheep by David Homa, it sparked an interest and many questions. I wanted to
learn more about the reasons students attend college, and if they are majoring in a subject
they are truly interested in compared to one they believe will earn them more money. The
chapter addressed the purpose of college and what students learn about themselves and
their learning styles. The chapter was very relatable because when I first came to college,
I did not consider what I was truly interested in. I thought I had to major in something
related to the medical field in order to go into Occupational Therapy. I learned over time
that I could have majored in something that I am passionate about, like Child and Family
Development. I also learned that I am not only here to learn, but to make connections with
others and gain more excitement about what I am interested in.
A good number of individuals go into STEM Programs solely because there are
jobs that offer a great deal of money. Many factors, such as communities, families, or the
society, could have influenced this mindset. Personally, aside from my parents, no one
encouraged me to be passionate about a topic I am interested in, but rather pursue a topic
because of the monetary reward I could receive
In order to present an effective essay, I will need to do more research on specific
numbers, statistics, and situations to make the argument more concrete. I will also
interview my peers to find out what their perspectives are to give my essay more appeal
with ethos and pathos. I would like to find out when attending a college or university
became the popular choice, and what the common reasons are for students picking majors
in the STEM Program. I would also like to find out if job and financial security are
dependent upon ones education. If so, which jobs and why? Are people satisfied with
these jobs? Next, I would like to research if finances are going to be the basis for what
occupations young children decide on rather than their passions in this overly materialistic
world. Lastly, I would like to find out the amount of students go into college undecided or
change their major and their reasoning behind doing so.
During my initial period of inquiry, it was difficult to decide on one specific
topic to talk about while trying not to veer too far off topic. The topic I chose was inspired
from a reading assignment. The reading was very relatable, and the discussion during the
next class period really made me think about why I am in college. If you do not truly
know why you are in college when you first arrive, and what you are passionate about,
you will learn fairly quickly. In comparison, there are so many questions to be asked
under this broad topic. With so much information, you could arrive to the answers quickly,
but it can go much deeper. When asking if students are pursuing money over passion,
despite the possibilities of different answers, the motif unfortunately narrows down to the
desire for nice paychecks or desire to go after a true passion.

INTRODUCTION

Dear Reader,
College is the prime time for you to grow as an
individual, build your resume, and earn a degree for your
dream career. When it comes to picking a major for that
career, high school and first year college students have the
hardest time because they do not know what their interests
and passions are. Many students end up choosing a major that
leads to money. The pressures of society, family, and finances
hinder students from pursuing what they really love. Why
waste time and money studying something you do not love? At
the end of the day it is your life, and the decisions you make
now, whether in general or in choosing a major, it can have a
large affect on your future.
During my first year at UNC-Charlotte, I learned so
much academically and personally. Juggling my social life,
academics, extra-curricular activities, and down time have
been the most difficult factors to adjust to while transitioning
from high school to college. One interesting thing I learned
while being here is that I did not have to major in Exercise
Science to achieve my goal of earning a Masters degree in
Occupational Therapy. I could have majored in Psychology,
Business, Dance, or even Spanish. Although these majors may
seem like they do not compliment Occupational Therapy, any
major can be used and related to the major. For example, if
your dream is to be an Occupational Therapist and start your
own Therapy Clinic, majoring in Business is a great idea if that
is what you are passionate about. As long as you successfully
complete the pre-requisite courses for graduate school,
becoming an Occupational Therapist can still happen! Finding
your passion and taking a different track is much more
satisfying than doing something that will make you unhappy.
To keep from being unhappy in your career, I wrote
these recipes-for-success that will help guide you in making a
decision that will help you pursue your passion in college.
Before you decide based on factors such as money, take a
moment to do a personal evaluation and take an inward look
at yourself, and find what you love. Whether you are a student
in high school or a first year college student with a few months
left to pick a major, the following tips can help you make a
great decision that will determine a big part of your future.
Enjoy!

Letter to Reader

Recipe 2: Solutions
Recipe
3:1Find
what Factors
You Love & Do it
Recipe
Decision
Directions
Ingredients
Ingredients Directions
Directions 1. Be wise in making a decision
Ingredients
Family
about what to major in. There are
1. Research colleges
fordecision
programs
that when
help it
Explorator
two main
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Money
you
explore
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and
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comes
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students
y Studies
1. Experience things in college that no one can
Self-reflection
resources
offered
at
the university.
picking
majors:
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and things
Decision Making
teach you.
You can
only learn
Guidance
money.
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should
not
pick
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2. Takethrough
a variety
of
different
classes.
experience. No professor,
parent,
or
Counselor
major
solely
because
of For
money.
friend
can
teach
you
everything.
example,
3. Explore
your
strengths
and
weaknesses
Experience
Asclasses
many
people
have
s
parents
cannot
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you said,
what to be
whileyour
taking
and
consider
Money
cant
buy
happiness.
passionate
about.
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also cannot
majoring
in
what
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good
at
anddictate
Exploring
You
self-satisfaction.
how you
actneed
around
your peers
and
minoring
in
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leadership,
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can do this by joining organizations or getting

4.

someone made for you.

major/
career
with Computer
Science,
but
a job.
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independent
can
include
3.
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members
playto
abe
large
role
struggles
with
the
coursework
waking yourself up, deciding whether or not
because
most
likely,
they
are
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accepted
into
themoney
program,
find their
to go to
class,
and may
time management,
ones
who
will
be
paying
for
it.
strength
in the
social sciences. Through
and lots
more!
Also, it is very common for young
discussion
of
interests,
it may be revealed
2. Shadowing
and observing
with
adults to strive to someone
do their best
to
that experience
the student
is be
really
about
can
veryexcited
helpful in
helping one
make their parents happy.
find a major.
personally
shadowed
designing
video Igames.
In this
case aan
Parents will try to encourage
Occupational
Therapist,
and thatminors
is how Iin
major
in Sociology,
with
possible
their
children
to go after
made
the
decision
to pursue
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Graphic
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Computer
something
will
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and
now
I that
have
found
best
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may
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earn
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is to
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where
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seek a career
they
are
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to be.students must help their
without struggling
theand
courses
parents through
be realistic
see that
3. 80% of college students change their major.
theyIts
arenormal!
nottheir
strong
in
personal
goals
and
dreams
(Ramos).
are
more important (Abbie M).
(Exploratory
Studies).
4. Learn to think for yourself, and you will feel
Those
dreams
define
you.
It is
Speak
with
Guidance
Counselors
andshould
and
be independent.
Peer
pressure
not
better
to
be
making
a
little
affect
you
as
heavily.
professionals in the program you are
money
doing
something
you 2011
pursuing
tobe
get
feedback
on
the fastest
5. Aim to
different.
One
statistic
from
truly
love
than
to be
making
a lot
statesoption
that
80%
of
people
say
that it is
and best
to
take.

6.

ofor
money
and being
essential
very important
tounhappy
be well-off
daily(Deresiewicz).
with a careerBeing
you do
not
financially
well
off is
like.but
This
could
result in
stress
important,
find
something
else
to strive
and unhappiness.
Beover
surequantity
to
for (besides
money). Quality
applies make
to jobsyour
as well.
parents
For example,
proud, but
I am in a
dance history
class andproud
we recently
make yourself
first. learned
that dancers make around $16 an hour. That
is enough to make a living and pay bills, and
most people do not think dancing is a real
job!
Make the most of your time and money!

APPETIZER
(BEFORE YOU
PICK
YOUR
AFTER
BEING
IN
MAJOR)
COLLEGE

WORKS CITED

Closing
Remarks

Abbie

State

I hope that some of these few tips help you in your journey of
beginning a new chapter in your life of higher education.
Remember, in making your decision, be wise and aware of the
impact of every decision you make; big or small. Decide to
lead a life that you will be proud of and that will make you
happy. Do not do something just because of the reward. In The
Excellent Sheep, Deresiewicz states, Whats the return
investment of college? Whats the return investment of having
children, spending time with friends, listening to music,
reading a book? The things that are most worth doing are
worth doing for their own sake (Deresiewicz). This shows that
going to college for something that you truly love is worth
doing, no matter the cost, other peoples opinions, or the
amount of time it takes. Some people may say that following
your passion over money is not a good idea because you may
end up overdoing what you love and getting tired of it (Green).
An example of someone who did this and is happier is Victor
Chavez. Chavez proudly changed his major from what he
thought would make his father happy (English), to something
that made him happy (Mathematics). It was hard for him
because his father was paying for his schooling and he did not
want to disappoint him. After taking two years off, he still
graduated (five years later than expected), he has his dream
job and his parents are proud of him. Chavez stated, To love
what you do in your profession and in everyday life is really
satisfying, Chavez said. To make your students love and
enjoy what you love is a challenge, but Im ready to take the
challenge (Ramos). This is the perfect example to show that if
you truly love something and pursue it (no matter how long it
takes), you will end up much happier and satisfied in life.
Best of luck to you, and thanks for reading!
Diarra Everett

M. "College Advice: 'Pursue

Your Passions'" The
Huffington Post. 28 Dec.
2011. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.
Deresiewicz, William.
Excellent Sheep: The
Miseducation of the
American Elite and the Way
to a Meaningful Life. First
Free Press hardcover
edition. Free Press, 2014.
Print.
"Exploratory Studies."
Exploratory Studies. NC
Student Affairs. 18 Nov.

2015.

Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

Green,

Alison. "Why You Shouldn't

Follow Your Passion." U.S.
News. N.p., 17 Apr. 2013.
Web. 7 Mar. 2016.

Ramos,

Yuritzy. "College Students

Tend to Change Majors When They Find the One They Really Love - Borderzine." Borderzine. N.p., 15 Mar. 2013.
Web. 10 Mar. 2016.