Reading (w)Riting (a)Rthmetic

In a word, yes. The 'non-academic' education University has to offer to me thus far has made me feel like I understand how the world works better, and how to get along in it. However, I wouldn't call our education completely 'non-academic', because there is such a large academic aspect to it. The real difference is the way other forms and styles of learning are brought in, especially when it comes to un-conventional subjects, such as glass blowing, golf, or Mother Theresa. It would be difficult to find these things taught in most schools, but for many students, the unconventional subjects are the most interesting to get into, and possibly take later in life for actual use.

The school does have flaws, and although I am incredibly thankful to be at the school, all to often there seems to be hypocrisy. We are encouraged to sign up for AP classes, which provide, as explained, an hour of homework a night, but at the same time we are almost guilt tripped into going to the basketball games, or to sign up for this club or that group, which in and of itself is work, time, and effort.

I have a love-hate relationship with University, more love then hate, but none the less it can be a bittersweet feeling walking through the rhetorically designed doors every day.