Paired Texts > What do you want (really, really want) out of your college education?

by Richard Gunderman

2015

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

8th Grade Informational Text 1240L
Can We Cultivate Our Own Happiness?
  • ABC News
  • September 4, 2002

In the informational text “Can We Cultivate Our Own Happiness?” psychologist Martin Seligman discusses how people can achieve overall happiness.

Pair “Can We Cultivate Our Own Happiness? with “What do you want (really, really want) out of your college education?” and ask students to discuss how people can improve their happiness. How do both texts emphasize the importance of getting to know one’s self better in order to find meaning or happiness? Do students think determining which category of people they are, as identified by Martin Seligman, could help them decide on careers that would bring them happiness and a sense of meaning?

9th Grade Opinion 1090L
Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail
  • Angel B. Pérez
  • 2012

In the informational text “Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail,” dean of admissions Angel B. Pérez discusses what colleges are really looking for and offers his surprising take on the importance of failure.

Pair “Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail” with “What do you want (really, really want) out of your college education?” to provide students with additional information about the college experience. Ask students to discuss why it’s important to experience failure, especially in college. How might failure help students learn more about themselves and what’s important to them?

11th Grade Opinion 1100L
Making college more affordable: What needs discussing is the total cost of a degree
  • Eric Barron
  • 2018

In the informational text “Making college more affordable: What needs discussing is the total coast of a degree,” Eric Barron discusses what makes college so expensive for students.

Pair “Making college more affordable: What needs discussing is the total cost of a degree” with “What do you want (really, really want) out of your college education?” and ask students to discuss the cost of college. How might the cost of college prevent students from pursuing what is meaningful to them or from returning to school? Ask students to discuss what they think is more important to college students: choosing a meaningful career or making enough money to support themselves and pay off their debt. Can students achieve something in between?

12th Grade Opinion 1400L
Is college worth it? Is this even the right question?
  • Josipa Roksa and Richard Arum
  • 2015

In the informational text “Is college worth it? Is this even the right question?” Josipa Roksa and Richard Arum discusses whether college graduates are being adequately prepared for adulthood.

Pair “What do you want (really, really want) out of your college education?” with “Is college worth it? Is this event he right question?” to provide students with information about getting the most out of the college experience. Ask students to discuss how both texts highlight important skills and ways of thinking that colleges generally don’t provide students. How do the authors of both texts think colleges should be preparing graduates for meaningful and prosperous work?