Speaker tells how classes aid life
by Richard Turner, reporter

    Taking the subject beyond the classroom helps in developing life skills, a South Campus counselor said in an interview.

   Sandra Johnson, student counselor, said every discipline represents a particular career field.

   “General Education classes help reinforce or confirm an interest,” she said.

   Johnson said a general education curriculum gives students a well-rounded education about each subject, enough to relate to things around them in life.

   “The skills don’t always define; they help define what a person should do,” she said.

   “Students should make a conscientious effort to take the subject a step beyond the classroom,” she said.

   General education and the level at which it could be exercised in the real world could be defined in two ways, Johnson said.

   How far a person could apply the subject matter depends on the depth the instructor takes the subject and the depth the student takes to research the subject, Johnson said.

   “It’s better to have the skill and not need it than to need the skill and not have it,” she said.

   Johnson said a minimum level of conscientiousness of the subject during the course of the day would help in retention.

   Embracing every opportunity to exercise the ability or skill translates into life experience and makes it more meaningful to the student, Johnson said.

   “Experience and exposure broaden your perspective on things you may or may not have to do,” she said.

   Johnson said one’s interests matter more than skills.

   “Undocumented skills can be proved by references, and a way of validating skills and interest is with an internship,” she said.