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

Ingredients
Ingredients

Ingredients

Family
Exploratory Studies
Self-reflection
Money
Guidance
Decision Making
Counselors
Experience
Exploring Strengths
and
Weakness
Peer
Pressure

Directions
Directions
Directions
1. Be wise in making a decision
whatcolleges
to majorfor
in.
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(Ramos).
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NC
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Family
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play
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think for
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and
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and
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are
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5. Aim to be different. One
program,
may
find their
their
parents
happy.
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statistic
from 2011
states
that
strength
in
the
social
will
try
to
encourage
their
80% of people say that
it is
sciences.
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discussion
children
to very
go after
something
essential
or
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to
of
interests,
it
may
that
will
help
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earn
be well-off financiallybe big
revealed
thatthis
the student
is
money.
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the off
case,
(Deresiewicz).
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excited
about
designing
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help
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important, but find something
video games.
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case
parents
be realistic
and
seea
else
to strive
for (besides
major
in
Sociology,
with
that
their
personal
goals
and
money).
possible
minors
Graphic
dreams
are
more in
important
6. Make the most of your time
Communication
and
(Abbie
M).
and
money! Programming may
Computer
Those dreams define you. It is
give them
skillsatolittle
seek a
better
to bethe
making
career
they
are
passionate
money doing something you
about,
without
truly
love
than tostruggling
be making a
through
the and
courses
they are
lot
of money
being
not strong
inwith a career
unhappy
daily
(Exploratory
Studies).
you
do not like.
This could
result
in
stress
and
4. Speak with Guidance
unhappiness.
Be sure
to make
Counselors and
professionals
your
parents
proud,
in the
program
youbut
are make
yourself
proud
first.
pursuing
to get
feedback on
the fastest and best option to
take.

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

WORKS CITED

Closing
Remarks

Abbie

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 David Homas The Excellent Sheep, he
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). But if you truly
love it, it will not feel like work, and 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

State

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.