Exploration Three-Ian C.

     I learn best when there is a challenge. A couple of years ago I participated in a co-op style school program for homeschooled students. Inside of the classes, we rarely had grades but the work was shown to all of the students and the teachers. Since I was attending with my friends I was determined to do my best, and my best class was math. My math class consisted entirely of guys from around 14-18 years old. In other words, it was very, very competitive. My dad was teaching the class and he would come up with these quizzes every week and it always seemed that no matter how hard you studied, you were always a point away from perfect. That combined with 9 other guys trying to do well made for an atmosphere that taught me math better than any I'd ever been in. So now whevener I get asked the question, "How do you learn best?" I know exactly what my answer is.

     There are several reasons that people get college-level educations. First of all, for money. Money is sort of one of those things you need to be alive. Second is to advance civilization. Sure, if you wanted to, you could get a low-end job and avoid all of the debt that going to college gets you, but if everyone did that, civilization would simply crumble. Nobody would know the mass of a proton, or how far away the moon is. In order for science to continue to make our lives easier and more enjoyable, there have to be scientists. For there to be art, there must be artists.

     For me personally, this education means being able to support a family long-term with relative comfort. I have a lot of hobbies, and one of them includes drawing comic book art. My dream job is, in fact, drawing for a franchise such as DC comics. Why, you may ask, am I going into computer engineering? I wanted a source of income that was steady. I'm not going to stop drawing, but I didn't want to hinge me and my familie's future on something as unreliable as maybe getting a contract. I'm pretty optimistic about the next few years. I'm getting into a major that has a lot of opportunities in the job market and I'm feeling confident about my future.