Navigating Transitional Education

Education, Is it Really My Decision?

They say the most formative years of decision begins in high school. What if you’re never given the skills to know how to make those decisions. This begins with the individuals that have the most sphere of influence upon the next rising generations, the high school teacher; to whom I write.

Background

In order to have the ability to navigate the social construct of society, we need to be taught the skills. When eighteen year-olds are sent off to college/secondary education, they are expected to have a plan for a career path, to know what they like, along with the accommodating knowledge of their strengths and weaknesses. As if we are cradled for eighteen years, taught about these fairytale “adult responsibilities", then to our surprise, know not the skills necessary to navigate these decisions. I believe the cure to having a successful chance to navigate the transitional times of secondary education, is a shift in focus. From that of a “major” mentality, to an individual development mentally. A mindset that focuses on the development of well-roundedness.

Principles of Navigation

As the transition from primary school to secondary school is the front battle lines of the issue, Dr. Kate Johnstone from Deakin University, gives two insights that can help students manage this pivotal transitional time. Dr. Johnstone recognizes the anxieties that come from this transition and suggests that “support” groups, from, “parents, friends and teachers is crucial to assist all students make a successful transition”. Fear, anxiety, feeling estranged from a “major community”, (the group of individuals who have a declared major, against individuals who may feel left out due to an undeclared major.), are all factors of children lost during these transitions. Principle two, Johnstone states, encourages a networked student-teacher community. That, “teachers and the broader school community are important support resources for students and parents alike. They can provide valuable guidance for students…”.

 While attending Brigham Young University (BYU), I faced all of these challenges. Feeling like an outsider, in some form less valued, due to my undeclared major status. You instantly feel different, left out of a group, looked down upon and placed in a “subliminal” category where you don’t have your life figure out; somehow making you less. At a yearly Academic Seminar, held by the College of Family House and Social Sciences (FHSS), the main concern discussed, was that of the student-professor pipeline. Bringing to the forefront that students need to know they have a network available. That they have mentors available to help them find a career path right for them.

Well-Roundedness

From the time of the Renaissance we read from Castiglione, The Ideal of the Well-Rounded Man, the reference from the Greeks is made stating, “that a man ought to be “well-rounded”, meaning that he should develop every aspect of his personality”. It is through this development of well-roundedness that we beginning to understand who we are; along with our dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. Instead of being told what “major pattern” or path we should be going down; whether for the prestige or money, we need to find or pick a major that plays to our roles and our strengths.

Conclusion

Education is important and can be one of the most important catalysts of direction for our career path. However, we need to be equip, with the adequate skills that will allow us to make the “best decisions” for our future. So as it was, let us Ad Fontes, and go "back to the source" of education. That we create these needed support systems of friends and family that will help guide us, giving us the help needed to coupe with the hardships found within these transitional times between primary and secondary education. Let us create these modern-day "Enlightenment Salon" of networks. Opening the door for an internal network system of teachers and professors, that will give the rising youth generations the necessary resources to not only achieve their dreams and goals; but, giving them hope, vision, and the tangible knowledge that they can do whatever they set their minds out to do!

Sources

The Ideal Man of the Well-Rounded Man by Castiglione. New World History – Kelemen

www.deakin.edu.au/about-deaking/media-releases