Small change

  The Problems With Higher Education College has long been seen as the pathway to success, but rising tuition, mounting student debt, and growing doubts about educational priorities have forced many to question whether the investment is still worthwhile. While higher education can open doors, it often comes at a price that leaves students and families wondering what they are truly paying for. Authors Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus take on this issue directly, asking the essential question: is college really worth it? Their answer is complex—but often, it’s no . Hacker and Dreifus argue that many universities have drifted from their core mission of teaching students. Too many professors prioritize research and publication over meaningful classroom engagement, while underpaid adjunct instructors shoulder the bulk of the teaching. Meanwhile, families make enormous financial sacrifices to send their children to college, only for students to sit in massive lecture halls with little d...

Fast Food Effects On Others Fast food has become a regular part of daily life. While it offers convenience, it also poses serious health risks. Decades ago, tobacco was widely accepted and heavily advertised, even as its dangers became clear. Today, fast food faces a similar debate in public health. In their essays, Radley Balko and David Zinczenko discuss who is responsible for these issues, how fast food is marketed, and its impact on health. Like tobacco in the past, fast food remains popular and under-regulated, even though its risks are well known. This essay will argue that fast food should be examined as closely as tobacco, especially in terms of advertising, consumer awareness, and policy. One reason fast food resembles tobacco is its marketing strategies, which make unhealthy consumption seem routine and appealing. Zinczenko points out that for many young people, “there are no readily available alternatives” when the nearest salad bar is miles away but fast food is on every co...

Pop Culture and Its Influence Pop culture may not mean much to some people, but it is a strong expression of fashion, trends, music, films, and more. These examples show how different generations experience pop culture in their own ways. The older generation often finds today’s music, shows, and movies unfamiliar, while younger people embrace new trends that emerge every year. In truth, pop culture—both old and new—is shaped by the people who influence it. In the TED Talk “Why Pop Cultu re?” by Alexandre O. Philippe at TEDxMileHigh , Philippe shares a personal story and says, “I remember turning to my mom in shock, and she just nodded as if to say, ‘Yes, this is real.’ That moment filled me with wonder and left me speculating for three years about what would happen next.” This quote shows the powerful and emotional imagery he uses to express how pop culture shaped his imagination and creativity. That experience inspired his personal growth and helped him become a filmmaker, pushing hi...

The Time I Felt My Influence Brought Power and Enlightenment to Literacy When I was in reading class in first and second grade, I felt out of place because I couldn’t read certain words while others could. This made me really angry at myself because I couldn’t understand why I struggled to read or write some of the words I saw in books, stories, and novels. My teacher would often keep me after class because I had trouble understanding the literacy lessons that were being taught. To improve, I decided to take action both at home and at school. I would grab a dictionary, find the words I struggled with, and come up with creative ways to remember and pronounce them. One of my first strategies was to write the words on flashcards. After finishing my class assignments, I would test myself to see if I could remember the words by heart. These experiences taught me the importance of literacy and inspired me to find my own solutions to improve my reading and writing skills. Over time, I develop...