A Malfunctioning Society -Elise Gunteski #7

 The following is an expansion of thoughts from my second essay:

The attempt to desperately hold working ourselves into the ground while presenting as a complete functioning human is stripping of our basic joy and identity. Our society has built a counterintuitive culture of always running and working and hiding from our faults. This can be seen especially in college culture. Students are told that 'grades don't matter.' They do. 'Put yourself first.' But make sure that you stay ahead of everyone else. I believe that the education system is broken. We are taught to devote our very essence to studying. So much of our worth is tied to a grade. How can we be expected to learn when we are living under the dangling sword of our GPA? Not only our grades, but the expectations pull students in so many directions. We have to be involved in clubs. We have to volunteer. As a pre-vet student I need to somehow do more research, more clubs, more volunteer hours, more jobs, and more random classes than seem possible. Throughout the first and second semester I have watched the light leave eyes. We push ourselves to the breaking point. Going to bed late, waking up early and consuming more caffeine and less food  than advised. We are told to take care of ourselves. We are offered resources. We are given what should be 'all the tools to be successful.' But how. How do we find help and take care of ourselves? How do we not only survive, but thrive. I love CNU and it has truly been the best thing to ever happen to me. However, going back to even the first grade, there are deep flaws within the whole education system. This juggling act can be sustainable for only so long.

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