My advice about school and university in America – stuff I did right or, looking back, wish I had done!
- Stay in school as long as possible. Education can make a big difference in your life – and it will be much harder to do later in life when you have family responsibilities.
- Get the best grades you can. Even though most people do not have it together from age 15 to 18, one way or another you will be judged harshly on the grades you get then. On the other hand, taking your schoolwork more seriously than most is an easy way to get a long-term jump.
- Always go to the best school or university you can.
- Never, never, never let anyone make you think you lack intelligence. Never. Never. Or make you think there is something wrong with you for being intelligent and doing well at school.
- If you are a person of colour, education is even more important. Most people I know who went from poor to middle-class did it through education. Going into business is another way, but I do not know many like that. Education is not perfect: it makes you overly dependent on white employers. You will need two more years of schooling on average to make the same as a white person. On the other hand, education is the easiest way to help counter the racism of white employers – partly because America does not have enough educated people, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
- Read, read, read. Books and news, but anything is better than nothing. I was an average student till I started reading at least a book a month.
- Write regularly, at least once a week – diary, journal, blog, letters, stories, whatever. The more you write, the better your writing will get. Your writing will help your reading and your reading will help your writing.
- Half of school is getting stuff done on time.
- Find out what your interests are. You will be way better at something you love. Talent does matter, but most of what people call talent is just practice.
- Some fields are needed more than others. Those in my family who went into medicine and engineering have done far better in terms of income and doing the work they wanted than those who majored in English and art.
- Apply to some universities you do not think you will get into. I got into one of those!
- Take history courses at university. It is not the patriotic propaganda you get at American high school.
- Take some ethnic studies courses. If you are a person of colour, then the more you know about the history of the people you come from, the better off you will be in the long run. Not only will you understand the world better, but it helps to fight internalized racism. If you are white, you cannot have a proper understanding of the world knowing just your own history and culture.
That is my advice. Commenters can give their own – or criticize mine!
Thanks to Kiwi for suggesting this post.
Tomorrow: The black education achievement gap
See also:
You know what Abagond, i really resent you saying this.
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For teenagers getting themselves ready for the university application process, I would suggest that, rather than trying to participate in a little bit of every type of extracurricular activity to be “well rounded”, focus instead on acheiving a high level of excellence in one or two. My son has done this via his music. He has won competitions at the highest levels in piano. People who listen to him play comment that he sounds like the kind of pianist people pay to listen to in concert halls. He also plays drums amazingly, and drums in virtually every band in high school. He has also finished AP Music Theory and is studying jazz theory with an old-timer, a real jazzman from back in the day. This level of patient persistence, dedication over years, evinces a stick-to-it-iveness that colleges appreciate. As an admissions representative at Harvard commented when we toured there this spring, when Yo Yo Ma applied to Harvard, their admissions office didn’t think: “Hmm, this guy can play cello okay, but how is he at sports?”
By the way, to another of Agabond’s comments, so many of our friends, upon hearing our son play, comment something along the lines of, “He’s so talented!” This comment is so off the mark (never mind that I believe there is a racial undertone in there, the trope held by whites that blacks are somehow naturally more musical). As Agabond notes, it’s not talent, it’s accomplishment, one acheived through years of patient, persistent, dedicated hard work. There are no shortcuts. The only thing that “talent” injects is perhaps a greater desire to engage in the hard practice more frequently, for longer periods, with more attentive focus. Finally, a musician friend actually spoke: “He’s so accomplished!” Exactly.
On a related note, let me suggest that all parents watch the film “Two Million Minutes”. The 2,000,000 minutes in the title refers to the approximate duration of high school. The film is a documentary that examines what high school students do with those 2,000,000 minutes, focusing on a cross-section of high school students from the US, China, and India. The conclusions are not surprising but the delta (between the US, on the one hand, and China/India on the other) is more stark that you might expect. Bottom line: our kids are not competing for admission to elite universities with their classmates. They are competing with kids on the other side of the world, and those other kids are killing us. Plus, universities love them because they pay full “out-of-state” tuition.
Just remember this: the number of high school students in China who comprise the top 10% in that country exceeds to total number of all high school students in the US.
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@ phoebeprunelle
I limited that statement to my family, so at that level it is a fact. English and art majors have done worse not just in terms of money but even in doing the kind of work they enjoy.
On the other hand, it is not just STEM. Education and social work seem to be good too, going by the people I know.
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You all dont know anything..your college educations are overrated…in my business, I have to retrain all the college educated dolts..
you lose the street in college…you get soft…all that intellectualised ideology behind ivory towers makes you forget how to avoid dog doo on the ground
you need to learn how to hustle, you need to learn how to get in the middle of a bunch of jackel hyenas, and chomp down on some diseased meat and tug away at your part like your life depends on it..you need to learn how to growl and say “get the fuk back, mother fuker”…college doesnt teach you that sh!t
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Very constructive advice Abagond, I myself have not taken any of your advice, i was a teen age single parent but my love of reading in paticular and learning somewhat sustained me and I was able to impart some of those traits in children. I am still learning. One regret that I have is that I was not fully aware of racism and how to counter its effects and therefore could not fully prepare and counsel my children on survivng emotionally and physically in the shark infested environment of white supremacy /racist academia. One of my children was able to get her doctorate in bio chemistry and does medical research in addition to university teaching but my son is scarred and he is very bitter and now diagnosed as bi polar because he went to an elite prestigious very racist university totally unprepared mentally. It was not the coursework per se that did him….. I do have a 13 yr old and she will be fully codified and hopefully will be better prepared for the racist corporate and acamic world of the white supremcist … Parents have an obligation to school their children and NOT sugarcoat the effects of RACISM they will undoubtedly encounter in the real world whether they go to an elite white school or not. that should be the #1 advice !!!
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Well yes…just your family experiences, but there are PLENTY of English and art majors of colour that go on to certify to teach in secondary schools; complete graduate course work in their fields to become tenured faculty at colleges and universities…
Contrary to popular belief there is TONS that can be done with an English major (work as grant and proposal writers for large firms, technical writers for corporations and business, language interpreters, librarians etc)… some require additional credentials, but English is a good field.
art majors have their picks of working as museum curators and historical interpreters, advertising, book art, illustration…
i mean c’mon. Those old stereotypes are useless because it truly is about what you do with your major.
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I would add that you should get some hands on experience doing the work you want to do in the environment you want to do it in. You might find that you really don’t like the environment or the work and need to adjust your goals.
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Agree that there is a huge shortage of STEM people in the USA, and unfortunately, the greedy finance industry go after them too. They really should be put to make something of value, not just to make small numbers of people rich.
Also agree that there is some education that must be done OUTSIDE of university. People need some leadership and EQ experience also. Maybe that can be another posting.
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@Abagond-good tips
@ Blanc2 -great advice-Thanks
And I would add that just because you don’t see a lot of African-Americans in a certain field of study doesn’t mean that there is a deficiency within that group. It shows there is a certain vetting process. It’s good old fashion nepotism at work. (at least that’s been my experience)
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That’s just a bunch of Obama/Silicon Valley bullshit to drive down the wages of scientists and engineers:
From the Pacific Standard
You have also forgotten the most important aspect of tertiary education – fucking all these bitches. I remember my first year math classes. As loner simply walking to the bathroom would earn me sneers, and cries of “here comes weirdo .” Then they realsied that I could solve second order ordinary differential equations in my head – no MATLAB or calculator. Then my main problem became getting the maximum amount of pussy for doing te minimum amount of homework. Abagond, this is difficult problem that must be acknowledged and dealt with. It causes many young men (and some women) great difficulty, as these bitches is dumb, and the student may end up getting less pussy than what is rightfully due to him.
It is important to know how to deal with leeches and social climbers, especially in schools with high student to teacher ratios. These tend to focus more on groupwork , so as to make marking papers for the teacher easier. Social problems can be just as hard as chemistry ones.
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BR — the “hyena” metaphor is good advice for anybody in any trade or profession. But some trades/profeesions are barred to admission except for people with university degrees.
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Yeah education will DEFINITELY help SOME people who want to work for someone else as a skilled professional (teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.)…but African-American communities need more entrepreneurs, not more debt-ridden English, Communications and Sociology majors. So I recommend applying to the Business School of Hard Knocks.
Most American undergraduate work is pure BS…taught by a bunch of Eurocentric ideologues, none of whom teaches you anything that directly translates into making money. It’s a big waste of money and time for most people, especially considering most graduates these days won’t even make as much money in a year as they paid in annual tuition (not even including the long term interest…)
My advice: forgo the debt and start a business in your community. You’re never too little or too ignorant to start. Some of the richest people in the world started very small, without a college education or business skills, but just the passion and will to succeed.
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Blanc2:
So the underlying issue is cultural prioritization of education? According to the “progressive” narrative, that can’t possibly be. Parents are not accountable for the performance of their children, rather it’s a problem of funding, racism, and poor schools.
Please check your privilege.
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^ we also need lots of farmers…you’d be surprised how cheap land can be in some places. Farm land is a much better investment than an undergraduate degree IMO
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@resw77
Agree, but it probably would help to know some basic communication, accounting and computer skills no matter what business you go in.
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Excellent advice Abagond.
For #10 I would say “If you are concerned with income level, beware that some fields tend to pay more than others. The pay is usually in relation to the demand for the skill set (which can change with the markets) and the difficulty (or time required) in obtaining the skill set.
Also, if you are a top expert in your field usually the pay will follow. This rule of thumb is why people say to follow your passion, because what you are passionate about you will tend to be good at – because you put in the time to learn and practice.
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@ jefe
OK, but those skills don’t require enrolling in college/university, nor are they necessary to at least start a business.
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Blanc2..first, congradulations to your son, he really sounds like he is finding his way…super good luck to him
Of course you are right, Im just saying, once a person finishes school, the real life learning begins…how to hustle and politic …and, I have found that college educated kids in my profesion know all about cerebral things but cant cut the basics and hold down the fundimentals…they have to learn all over again…even when they dont know it..
Im also taking a little light hearted dig at the notion that college educated people know anything more than people that didnt go to college
I dropped out of regular college as a freshman when I sprained my ankle badly and my pro basketball career evaporated before my eyes (yeah right…but you get the jist) , and I left music school after one year because I was learning more on the bandstand with older black American jazz musicians…sure , I wish I studied more theorey, but these young college educated musicians can arrange their as ses off and could write great jingles but they cant hold a groove wortth a dime and are hard pressed to play up tempo bebop as well as know the four claves…forget about the real Braziliand accent , but they all know a bossa nova…
As I said , I dropped out of college as a freshman but I could hold my own in a discusion about Brazil in South America and its political history…I could also discuss currancy fluctuations with an economic major…I learn these things from hard core life experiance, and that kind of learning cuts deeper
and , lets face it, the ability to hustle, think on your feet, politic and network can go as far in daily street life as a college education…I certainly dont advocate people not getting educated and I like what Abagond is saying
but I also remember, people from the highest learning institurions in our country have tanked this country badly…I respect common sence and life learning with integrity as much as any college education…hel yeah, give me some integrity over all that
Just dont anyone think you know more than anyone else just because you went to college and can spell correctly… bhahhhahahahaha
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Just a note to say that this is excellent advice, all of it. I would add, however, that “doing better” in STEM than in the liberal arts might be questioned in terms of what the measure of “better” is.
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i think this brotha sums this up beautifully
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ZmM7zPLyI)
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“Just a note to say that this is excellent advice, all of it. I would add, however, that “doing better” in STEM than in the liberal arts might be questioned in terms of what the measure of “better” is.”
The measure is getting a job and being able to pay off your college debt and pay your rent and other living expenses
I can’t tell you how may liberal arts grads I know who are jobless right now. All the STEM people I know are full time employed.
STEM for bread and butter. For personal intellectual growth one can always take some liberal arts courses on the side, or autodidact.
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mstoogood4yall, excellent video.
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@ solesearch
yes it is. i don’t have anything against college, but its also good to explore other things like starting ur own business no matter how small or even learning a trade. my uncle makes some good money dealing with computers and all he did was study and take an exam and got certified., he didn’t go to college. With the rising costs for college it is good to have other options or even go to college and do something on the side and who knows it may become a business.
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Yet i can tell you about plenty who are doing quite well.
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I still don’t know where the thinking comes from that English, mass comm, or any other humanities background is useless…
Many Black people have used a humanities background to start their own businesses and schools, launch academic careers (hell some of the best Black scholars and writers had backgrounds in English, history and education)…
But while some here are doing their best to discredit solid writing, thinking, analytical, comprehension, database management (what English majors learn to do), remember that these are important assets to any field and, the STEM crowd has taken note and renamed it to STEAM (guess what the A stands for?)… yup arts (language arts, rhetoric, grammar, logic, performing arts, etc..)
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I mostly agree with Abagond’s academic advice with the possible exception of (1) staying in school as long as you can and (4) not letting yourself think you lack intelligence. That’s good advice for someone who really is intelligent. But most people aren’t that smart. Most people would be better off learning a trade.
Even a lot of people with degrees would have been better off with a trade. A degree is a lottery ticket but not necessarily a winning lottery ticket. There are a lot of people fighting for those corner offices and professorships and most don’t get them. By the time someone figures that out they’re too old for an apprenticeship. They’re either stuck or punt by starting their own company.
The problem with the latter is starting a company can be very, very difficult and most businesses fail. What’s more, being smart is no guarantee that your business won’t fail. It takes a certain level of brains to succeed but, beyond that, ambition, determination and street smarts are more important. B.R. is right that a degree alone doesn’t cut it. I had two failed businesses that left me bankrupt before I finally succeeded with the third. I’d even say that failure teaches one how to succeed. If you’re not prepared to go through that then don’t even bother.
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“Some fields are needed more than others. Those in my family who went into medicine and engineering (the EM of STEM) have done far better than those who majored in English and art.”
– Yep!
“I still don’t know where the thinking comes from that English, mass comm, or any other humanities background is useless…
Many Black people have used a humanities background to start their own businesses and schools, launch academic careers (hell some of the best Black scholars and writers had backgrounds in English, history and education)…
But while some here are doing their best to discredit solid writing, thinking, analytical, comprehension, database management (what English majors learn to do), remember that these are important assets to any field and, the STEM crowd has taken note and renamed it to STEAM (guess what the A stands for?)… yup arts (language arts, rhetoric, grammar, logic, performing arts, etc..)”
– Not “useless” and we’re not discrediting any of that. But right now, in the current economic and job market, STEMers are faring better. There are predictions that this will continue.
Consider also that with Khan Academy, Uncollege and universities providing entire courses online for free (not degrees, but the course material alone), there will be less students in college and thus less need for professors English, history and the like. So taking liberal arts or humanities and expecting to become a professor may be a thing of the past.
STEM, business, farming and trades are where the jobs and money will be. And but business I don’t mean necessarily a degree in business, but entrepreneurship.
Humanities and all that, for personal intellectual development, can be learned on the side.
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Even STEMers can only go as far as their immediate skills–having a foundational background in science, technology, engineering or math doesn’t ALWAYS equal finding work after college and this fact is compounded by what that STEMer has in mind to do anyway….
For instance, a mathematics degree can lead them into a number of fields, but more often than not, they will need additional training or sometimes an advanced degree in a liberal arts (like education) and no, you don’t have to teach with it…
And in the recession, not ALL engineers faired better than anyone else–in fact civil engineers did worse than the typical liberal arts grad.
Humanities and all that, for personal intellectual development, can be learned on the side.
No. Humanities is and ALWAYS will be the foundational skill set of ANY field.
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Why?
“Humanities and all that, for personal intellectual development, can be learned on the side.”
Agreed. If one is interested in humanities they don’t need a university but a library. Humanities and art history are upper class majors. If you’re not already upper class it will NOT help you.
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Very good article.
I was BizAd. Not the most exciting but paid off in that I got a job right away. Also, I’m a little on the fence about getting into the best school, especially if you’re coming from working class (as l was) background. Paying back loans for ivy league vs. State school education can mean the difference between early retirement & working till you’re 80.
I do agree w/applying to schools that you assume you won’t get into. And I wish I had pursued engineering.
Love this article.
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Good advice by Abagond.
I hope I can help a little here too.
When you are in high school, your teachers will automatically know who you are. Most classes are small enough that the teacher knows about each student in her class. But in the University Undergraduate programs, your GE classes are likely to be massive. You can easily go to class every day and turn in your assignments (that the T.A. grad. student grades) and your professor may have no idea who you are.
This is important: Become a PERSON not a number to ALL of your professors! Although your professors don’t/and can’t/ know all of their students personally, they will know a small group of ‘insiders.’ These will be the students who take note of the professor’s office hours. Professor’s are required to make themselves available to their students for certain office hours for each class that they teach.
You need to show up regularly during those office hours… don’t worry, there will already be a group of kids already there when you arrive. This is where the professors really ‘hold court.’ These are the young, eager, minds who they really look forward to influencing. This is where the professor will not only learn your name, but your personality, and even get to like you. You will become part of their ‘inner circle.’ Ask questions, listen as the professor answers other student’s questions. Show that you’re interested in the subject. The professor only has so much to say. You will find that they give amazing amounts of information about things they are planning to teach you in the coming weeks. If you pay attention, you will quickly know what they think is important, and how to write answers for their test questions that they will like.
Like it or not, grades are subjective. It is almost impossible not to lean a little in favor of a kid who seems to be trying hard, who the professor knows personally, and who asks good questions. Don’t get me wrong, you still have to be a decent student but this is a very good way to get A’s instead of B’s.
Another benefit to this is that you will make friends and alliances with the other ‘smart kids’ who will often be happy to help you or include you in their study groups or point you to good resources. It is often necessary to become part of the culture of smartness rather than sitting in your dorm room trying to be smart all by yourself. If you don’t get something, pull aside another ‘insider’ and ask them to please explain it to you. They may even do a better job of explaining it than the professor! People are usually flattered when you trust them enough to come to them for help.
In this way you make your high achievement a conspiracy among supporters, cohorts, and well-wishers. So to recap:
– You need to become a known Person to your professors
– You ned to know how your professors think not just how she lectures
– You need to become a part of the ‘culture of smartness’ in each class
– You need to seek help among your smartest cohorts
– You need to build a network if fellow ‘insiders’ who see you as one of their own and won’t let you fail.
It’s not all about bing smart, you also have to be wise.
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We need to identify and recruit mentors no matter what we do.
Wish I had THAT advice from my parents.
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@jefe
“We need to identify and recruit mentors no matter what we do. “—100% agreed
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@ King
“You need to become a known Person to your professors”—Always had that part down packed.
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@Abagond and King
The both of you give some excellent advice. Abagond, I would just add a few more points. You said that if one is a person of color, one should take classes of the history of one’s own people. I also think you should also try to take classes about other groups of people of color as well. I think learning about other people helps to break down some barriers and also one learns that other peoples have contributed to the world (and not just whites). Also, I think it would be very beneficial for Americans especially young Americans to develop some basic proficiency in another language besides English. I know many Americans will be offended by my suggestion, but being fluent in another language can be the difference between one getting a job or not. There are many benefits to learning another language and yet we Americans just will not do it. Even when we travel abroad we still demand that non English speakers accommodate us in English (oh, the arrogance!) My advice would be to get a minor in another language; if one can handle it, do a double major (I almost majored in English and Spanish, but later decided to just focus on Spanish. I wish I had at least minored in English. ) My last suggestion would be to travel or even live abroad if one can. I didn’t do that and I regret it to this day. When you eat, live and breathe another culture it helps you to broaden one’s horizons. If young people can’t do that, try to live in another region of the country where you live. It’s amazing how different things can be in the same country.
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@ mochasister
Great advice, and yes learning another language is a great suggestion. i tried to learn spanish a couple times, i live in tx so learning spanish would definitely be an asset and u can get paid more. I would love to travel someday, and with the way things are going here that i hope will happen in the next 3 or 5 yrs.
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@ Kiwi
You are right. Thanks for the correction.
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@ Glenn
I made #10 a little clearer. “Better” was way too vague. Numbers 9 (you will do better at what you love) and 10 (certain fields are in higher demand) are meant to be in tension with each other.
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Oh, almost forgot: stay away from fraternities and sororities at least until your junior year. Also, don’t join too many clubs on campus. College is a big jump from high school and your first two years you need to really concentrate on classes and just learning how to cope on your own and being responsible for yourself. By your junior year you should be settled down and ready to handle the demands of Greek life.
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@ resw77
I agree: Way more Black Americans need to go into business. Blacks still largely function as a source of cheap labour for whites.
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It was a mistake but I think Abagond could be unwittingly onto something by making the M in STEM stand for Medical.
Because the medical industry is huge and only getting larger.
Traditionally though I think it was categorized under the S, science, in STEM.
So now we could make it STEMM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Medicine.
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More controversial advise, from me looking back.
A simple point is that academics has to be your peerless concern when you are in University. Everything else must take a FAR far second place compared to that.
Therefore any relationships that you have in college must be completely subject to the primary goal of doing the BEST that you possibly can academically. That means that plans may frequently need to be cancelled, even at the very last minute! It means that there may be extended periods when, for all intents and purposes, the relationship is on hiatus because there are important academic hurdles that need to be prepared for. In other words, if you truly MUST be in a relationship, you BOTH need to me mature enough to realize that you are in a time and place in your lives when any relationship must take a back seat – and it’s not personal – if your egos or personal insecurities can’t handle that then you are far better off single.
Also, you need to have peace in your life. University is not the time to have a lot of excess drama clouding your mind when it should be concentrating on Trigonometry, Hamlet, and the Punic Wars. Do not live with your boyfriend or girlfriend. You need your own space to study and keep your mind clear. Don’t allow yourself to get involved in complicated sexual competition or love triangles. You can’t afford that kind of drama and stress. At least wait until you have a degree and a good job before you ruin your life!
Seriously, in their late teens and early twenties many people throw themselves headlong into what they consider to be “life experiences.” But how are you going to study and do well, when you’re wondering who your boyfriend is cheating on you with? Try taking finals the same week you’re having an abortion. Imagine having to see your live in girlfriend move out of your apartment and move down the hall into your best friend’s apartment, and you still have to do that 15 page creative writing assignment!
I know people who during college went through the equivalent of four divorces, with women who they lived with, slept with, shared their toothbrush with, only to have them leave suddenly, cheat, get sick, or just get bored. Don’t act or play like your married to ANYONE while you’re in school unless you actually are. You don’t need the stress of loosing ‘temporary wives’ or ‘husbands’ every six months. Remember that you’re still young and have big goals to accomplish.
So take that year in Spain in the student exchange program. Change schools when you realize there is a fantastic opportunity elsewhere! Take a double major because you suddenly found a new passion in some new field! Travel light and unfettered! There will be plenty of time to get more serious when you’re much closer to your goals.
Just my take on it.
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I really like your advice too, mochasister.
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Having been a student “forever” and having taught several thousand students, this article has a lot of good advice. Wish I had time today to comment further. 🙂
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I was thinking for a long while that we need a series of posts about entrepreneurship in African-American communities. We could discuss the situation, obstacles and ideas. I am still disturbed when people like ex-DC mayor Marion Barry blast non-blacks for running businesses in his ward and how African-Americans need to be doing that, but after decades, the situation does not change that much.
I am drafting a post about NON-blacks operating businesses in black neighborhoods. This could start the discussion about black Americans running their own businesses.
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Exactly Mocha…
People forget that you can’t conduct business (much less run one of your own efficiently), or work in any environment without proper language and communication skills.
And students who are going abroad to work or study DO need to learn the official languages (sometimes there is more than one) in that particular country, or at least be conversational.
What Abagond missed is that ESL and TEFL are HUGE employment opportunities for Black people right. In fact, i have several friends who taught in places like Georgia (country) and who have come back and done a number of things.
So much for those useless language degrees–especially English.
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My personal advice for Black students:
1. If you can, attend an HBCU for undergrad–you are going to need the emotional support and you will not get this starting out at a PWI.
2. After you have had that cushioning from an HBCU–then tackle a PWI for your graduate studies. By then, you will be seasoned enough to be able to handle the subtle and not subtle racisms at these places…
3. No matter your major, take the minor in Education to certify you to teach. At most places, you can do this with 24 credit hrs. including student teaching and the necessary state exams. There is a need for more Black teachers male and female as both seem to be disappearing from urban schools. Even if you move, most States with the exception of two offer automatic teacher reciprocity.
4. Finding the right internship before graduating is good–but if you can’t, don’t waste your time taking just anything. Not having an internship is better than taking one that has nothing to do with the specific field experience that you need.
5. Whatever it is that you love (literature, numbers/figures, deep thinking, visual arts) go for it! It is your life, time and money that you are spending. Enjoy it! Don’t worry yourself with questions by others “what can you do with that degree?” There is need for ALL majors in the workforce right now.
6. Back to number 1–choose the most comfortable HBCU. One with roomier dorm rooms, good food services on campus, accessible buildings. Remember, this is going to be your life for a couple of years.
7. Make your mind up about graduate school during your junior year and then start applying. Many graduate programs offer paid teaching or research assistantships.
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BR — I couldn’t agree with you more. An Ivy League pedigree might open a few doors, but once inside an individual sinks or swims because of hustle. I’ve seen many examples of highly educated slacker, as well as less educated hustlers who succeed at high levels.
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If only there was a like button for this…
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Randy: “So the underlying issue is cultural prioritization of education?”
Yes.
And No.
“Yes” because history shows that academic succcess generally only exists within a culture or family in which education is prioritized. Throwing money at schools cannot overcome this funadmental issue.
“No” because issues of poverty and caste directly affect the ability of a culture, sub-culture or caste to prioritize education and/or to access higher educational opportunites.
The film “2,000,000 Minutes” does not investigate this issue.
Both China and India are highly stratified on a socioeconomic basis. Indeed, India continues to foster an overt caste system. Only the higher socio-economic strata in both countries have access to the educational opportunities that are addressed in “2,000,000 Minutes”. The American kids profiled in the film also come from upper-middle class households. In other words, the film attemps to compare apples to apples: kids from all three nations that come from backgrounds with enough privilege that, if they want, the highest eschelons of formal education are available to them.
The film does not investigate whether and/or how kids from lower socioeconomic strata might acheive access to these levels of educational opportunities.
Since both India and China have giant populations, this means that there are large numbers of exceptionally high performing students from these nations coming to the US to study at universities here. I can tell you, though, from a year of hosting a high-acheiving girl from China at our home during her senior year of high school, that the Chinese educational system is harsh and unforgiving for those who do not excell. There aren’t many second chances offered in China.
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@phoebeprunelle
I think it is vitally important for all Americans, both black and non-black, to learn and even master other languages. I could never understand why Americans do not value that skill, as I think it will make them fall far behind.
I don’t think it has to be the major course of study in university. In fact, Americans should master 2nd and 3rd languages before they leave high school. Even “STEM” students should learn and master other languages.
Now, we should be having at least 100 million Americans mastering Chinese, and millions of others mastering Arabic, Russian, Bahasa Indonesia, even Portuguese, but we don’t. Hundreds of millions of Indians have mastered English and nearly all Chinese study English and attain some proficiency in it. Americans still feel it is unimportant, and even condemn other Americans for learning or speaking other languages. This is terrible.
This is an atrocious aspect of American culture, so I had to come up with a rational explanation for myself. It has to do with being a “white” American (including non-white people who want to be acceptable to white Americans). Speaking and mastering other languages besides English became an un-American thing to do. When I saw Kevin Rudd from Australia be able to do speeches and conduct interviews in Mandarin Chinese, I thought to myself — why can’t American leaders do that!!!! It’s shameful.
ESL and TEFL offer some opportunities for African-Americans to find work and go overseas. However, there are some racist attitudes and stereotypes to overcome there also. For example, I could imagine that over half the English language schools in East Asia prefer Caucasians to teach. They often erroneously believe that their English is more native or closer to standard. It could even be ridiculous, such as hiring a Swedish person to teach English as they look white (and can attract more students). There may be opportunities, but also challenges.
I would NEVER resign to these obstacles however. I think non-white America needs to show themselves overseas more. The world needs to know about them and meet them and not only get the idea from Hollywood.
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Blanc2:
I would agree about “ability”, but what about the “desire” to prioritize education?
From my admittedly limited view into education in China, working-class Chinese tend to value education though lacking the access and resources of higher-class peers. Have you seen differently?
If correct, then the issue at least in China is not so much culture as it is resources.
Why does this appear to be different in the US? The problem, shared in varying degrees among the upper and lower classes in the US, seems most often to be cultural. The resources generally are there, but the will to achieve isn’t.
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“Never, never, never let anyone make you think you lack intelligence”
Well, some people actually do lack intelligence and shouldn’t be in college.
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@Randy
Finally I agree with you. I think there is something generally culturally lacking in the USA, a general aversion or disdain regarding academic achievement, by both blacks and whites and by both upper and lower classes. It is ingrained in American culture.
A student with a perfect SAT score might not receive a scholarship to go to an elite school, but a star athlete can.
If you look at media and entertainment, do you see anything glorifying academics? How much does academics play a role in the lives of the students in “Glee”? And if a student is a high academic achiever, it is because he is “gifted”, not because he studies hard. America does not reward its academic achievers, at least socially (ie, social recognition).
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I don’t know who those girls in the picture are, but they’re freakin gorgeous. And no, I’m not trolling(at least not on purpose), but methinks I need a bit of female comfort. Sorry, hope I’m not being disrespectful
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Abagond,
I am reaching out to you as I have been quite perplexed lately. I have a personal question regarding education and would greatly appreciate a response from you. I recently graduated from graduate school this past May earning a Master of Science. The program was designed to get me into medical school. Lately, I’ve been loosing heart. I have 6-figure debt and wonder if using the steadfastness Ive used in getting an education into perhaps starting my own business or screenplay would be worth more than a medical degree. Its been two months since my graduation and I am unemployed. I’ve gone on interviews for Bachelor level positions and didn’t get the job. It is very frustrating as I feel the education system is turning into a ploy to keep people of color in debt.
Medical School would increase the debt but perhaps solidify a position for me for life. But I also wonder about marriage. I don’t want to be stereotyped as a “Professional Black Woman.” I am feminine and soft and want to keep (if not increase) that essence. What do you feel men’s perceptions of high educated women are? At 26 would you encourage that I get married first and then head to medical school (my preference)? Please be honest.
I look forward o hearing from you.
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Education is not a 100% guarantee. You still connections, raw talent, and drive. My BS is math and physics. It hasn’t started to profit me yet. I’m in grad school for accounting. I’m hoping it turns into something worthwhile
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Thank you so much! Many of these tips were told to me, but you are telling the truth. Connections are also important, learning how to network is also important. But that you for this list. I noticed my writing improved as well when I read books. Gotta get back on that.
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Reblogged this on revealingartisticthoughts and commented:
Amazing academic advice. Also learn how to network please! Networking and connections are very important in this world, also volunteer as much as possible.
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Financial Advice:
Best case scenario is that you are able to get the grades and the aptitude to get a full-ride scholarship. A minority who has little money, but great grades is the most likely candidate for this. More of us should be taking advantage of that fact.
But if you don’t have a full scholarship, and dont have deep pockets, having now seen how the system works, I recommend that you do your first two years at a community college. Don’t get a degree, just talk to your guidance counsellor about setting you up to take an academic load that will be both attractive and transferable to major universities. Then be SURE to do very well in all of those classes. When you have the necessary units, then transfer to a top university. In the end, your degree and transcript will look no different with the transferred units than if you had been at the university for all four years, but it will cut the cost nearly in half.
If you’re going on to graduate school get a job in a good sized corporation that offers financial reimbursement for education. I know of MANY people who’s companies paid for their grad school. Sure, they had to work at these companies for 2 years, but so what? They graduated with ZERO education debt.
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Never mind Abagond. Thank you.
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@ Jessica: I hope you see this and you didn’t ask my opinion. I hope you go to medical school and become successful.
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school is a JOKE!!! especially the american public FOOL system.
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Ivy league schools can actually be cheaper or costing the same to attend than the flagship State U. once you factor in scholarship and all available financial help and some of them do offer discounted tuition to students from low income families.
And they will open all sorts of doors that are not even known to flaship State U.
So apply even if you think you can’t get in.
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@ Abagond
Excellent piece.
I’m near exhaustion right now, but I was thinking about what you said for the last while and I wonder if we over-revere the learned?
Reading alone does not give you good sense.
Common sense isn’t common.
But, for that matter having decades of street-experience doesn’t make you automatically brighter. It can make you meaner, IF you are set in your ways.
I absolutely agree that education is necessary and essential.
I respect formal education, and I respect the effort and time taken to learn ANYTHING. I especially respect the self-taught, and the humble of heart.
But do you think that because someone has read more than one could begin to imagine to about a subject — that another person who has read far less, and ask questions, could, actually — say something of great value?
You made that very remark to me, when we were discussing Bernard Lewis.
Do you recall that?
I had merely hoped to start a conversation with you about the subject. 😦
Sometimes a conversation can make you wiser than a ton of books.
Knowledge provides power, but when we over-revere learned people, isn’t that precisely what takes us up the dangerous alley?
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Hmm. Abagond, I feel it would do no harm to write more about making others think they lack intelligence. If you are a person of colour, then aren’t people set on putting you down if you don’t perform “intelligently” and like everyone else?
I was Educationally Sub-Normal (or ESN) during most of my school-life because I couldn’t learn to read or write. Or speak.
My speech defect didn’t help. Not one bit.
When you can’t speak, as well as being unable to write and read, then you’re dumb, really dumb, right? Racism intersects with invisible disabilities in interesting ways. LOL.
What about being dumb, illiterate and doing badly in school?
I was taught (and taught myself) without speech and language before the Catholic friars and nuns that taught me to learn stuff from books did so by training me to memorize, over and over. I learned to speak through chanting, memorizing word sounds in my head before saying.
How else could I function in the world?
Other people, who don’t know, or know much about learning disabilities and speech impediments — but like to think they do — assume that you must be “white” or not “real” because you have tried and worked and kind of appear almost normal. The more hostile, and fearful know-it–alls only judge.
Yes. But for a person of colour, reading is not enough and nor is education.
Real learning is done elsewhere.
Not only the street — or in the in the field — but inside one’s own head.
By example. With encouragement from mature people: mature people can be old or young. Age has nothing to do with it. Learning needs to soak in and get trashed and frigged about with to be worth something.
I think you also need need time, by yourself.
Especially if you want to hear your thoughts, or write things down. Not everyone is so lucky. Many people in poor housing or families don’t have space and peace. Libraries. Quiet rooms. Parks.
What about the getting of WISDOM?
There are things like cultural capital and common sense and courage and patience, among other things. Not everyone has the taken-for-granted privilege of some uneducated white people, or some educated black people (the ones smug in their education), who are fuelled by fear and desire and hate; who can’t admit “envy” is part of them, or admit how inadequate and competitive they feel in the face of another person’s learning. How much they want to ‘correct’ them, see them fall. It might not be apparent that the target-person may have work at some deep and extensive learning could have acquired all that in the face of incredible dumbness.
Yes. Good — no, great — advice.
Read if you can! No matter how slow or how difficult and painful it is to make sense of of every letter, every word, sentence, paragraph.
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Please, only ” but in one’s own head” in bold.
Thank you.
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Welcome Back, Bulanik!
Missed you..
“Read if you can! No matter how slow or how difficult and painful it is to make sense of of every letter, every word, sentence, paragraph.”
********
LOL … this may be nit-picking but, I have to say that we often see, especially around here, where every letter, every word, sentence, paragraph, that’s posted does NOT makes sense. And I’m not talking about grammatical errors!
: – )
Nonetheless, I get where you’re coming from, and why those with certain challenges would do well to follow your suggestion …. as long as their ability to discern NONSENSE from sensible/sage is intact.
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@ Matari, hey! 😀
Thanks for taking the time to read and answer.
I don’t know how “back” I am, though. Too much to do and deal with right now.
But, you’re hardly nit-picking.
Good sense in the midst of so much evil-non-sense, like, the Justice System and the indescribably disappointing ease in taking the lives of black boys and men. For starters.
I haven’t read the blogsite whilst I was away this past week, but I am am sure the non-sense train drives on relentlessly.
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Abagond, when I said this:
….it was a request to correct, and directed at you.
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I also directed the comment before it (https://abagond.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/academic-advice/#comment-181840) to you as well.
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@Bulanik,
Nice to see you pop in again. Hope you are doing OK.
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@ Jefe, thank very much 😀 I hope you are well.
No, I’m not doing OK right now. An indication why is stated here, lower down the comment: https://abagond.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/what-white-history-taught-me/#comment-179314
Sure, it’ll pass.
Caring for an elderly relative in another country, since Spring, has wiped me out. This thread and the “what white history taught me” thread have been the only posts I’ve had time/energy to skim through and comment on since May, I think.
Anything else on here I am too tired for, even if I have internet access nearby.
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Jefe, I am also very, very angry.
I shall set down my reasons when I am fitter and more composed.
(Right now I need the fuel of my anger to get over the bumps…)
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@ Abagond,
I asked for a correction a few days ago to one of my typing mistakes.
This one: https://abagond.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/academic-advice/#comment-182454
May I ask you again for this to be corrected.
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@ Bulanik
Done:
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I have a question, open to everyone and I thought this may be the right place to ask. My boyfriend’s 14 year old brother was not doing well in school (not due to intelligence, I believed due to bullying), so my boyfriend and I went to a parent-teacher conference. This school is predominantly black, both students and teachers, in a low-income area of Georgia. I was prepared to help him in anyway I could with his homework and understanding anything. What I was not prepared for was the lack of work being given to these students. I met with four teachers, and I asked each one what homework was required from him. They all said it was the same thing every day. Two teachers said they did not give homework, the math teacher said she only gives them five math problems to solve daily for homework, and the english teacher gave a chapter (1-2 pages) daily. How are we supposed to help these children learn when 1) the schools do not have the resources to give each kid their own books, and 2) they do not require the children to work or even think hard, whether it’s due to their lack of teaching skills or lack of access to resources? I know this is not college but these are the children who will not get into college due to these issues. How do we help these kids, that even when they stay in school, are not receiving a proper education?
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Well written advice – for all students.
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@em
At the parent-teacher conference, did you get any chance to talk to the other parents? Are any of them concerned about this?
Maybe you can go and check the curriculum set out by the school board. Then check to see if the teachers are following it our not. Also, is there any goal to get students to pass or do well on the state assessment exams. If not, can you make an appointment with the principal? Can your boyfriend make sure that his brother is learning what he needs to learn to get into university?
I first took the SAT when I was 12. When I was 14, I had already taken Calculus in High School and got the highest possible score on the Math Advanced Placement exam when I turned 15. They are not too young to learn these things.
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This is very good advice, and I have only one thing to add-If you don’t know what to do with your life, join the Air Force, as a secretary, or in any number of medical/technician fields. You get your head on straight, earn a living, and get veteran’s benefits. I know many people, not only Black , but white and Native Americans from the reservation do their twenty years, all at the same time finishing college and gettiong a pension at 38. Can’t beat it. Even 4 years helps both in maturing and getting valuable skills for work.
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