College Pressures Essay

Crystal Jay Ecot

Prof O.

ICRC 1

Rough draft (College pressures)

College Pressures

               In William Zinsser’s essay, “College Pressures”, he discusses the pressures that college students faced in 1970’s. According to him college students have four different kind of pressures.

These include economic, parental, peer, and self-induced pressures. Zinsser feels that these college students are under so much pressures, He asked himself  a lot of questions during his essay, why the students complain about the college life? Why they face a hard time to finish their college studying? I think that we, college students don't  realize that there is no way to get ahead, and we cannot accomplish a career without experiencing trials, errors, and pressures. In my opinion some of college pressures have advantages, it gives us the motive to succeed in our college life. While I agree with Zinsser that these four kinds of pressure exist, I also think that there are new and different pressures today. I would consider getting in a relationship is one of the pressure that we can face nowadays, especially when you or your partner ended up having kids while you’re still in college.

               Out of all the pressures, the economic pressure is definitely the biggest worry on my mind, and i’m sure most students on any given college campus would agree. Even if you’re pursuing a study you love, and even if you feel like you will receive a well-paying job at the end of college, paying for the present expenses is tough. Even at a community college where the tuition is significantly lower than the brand name universities, the cost isn’t as manageable as one would think. It’s not just the tuition. Also the textbooks, the lab fees, and the list goes on. This forces the students who can’t afford college tuitions to take out a loan and start their career already in a financial hole. And the pressure for them to pass their classes goes up so that they can quickly get a good paying job after graduation so they can start to pay off their debt. Part of the problem is not just the money, but the value. Sure, the tuition may not be crushing, but it is worth the several thousand dollars? Are students actually equipped with skills? Do they come out of class more knowledgable than when they entered? Does the cost of college justify the value? I think that is a more valid concern that to simply demand lower tuition.