Subject
Students -- United States Books
Best books
Jeannette Augustus Marks
A Girl's Student Days and After
"A Girl's Student Days and After" by Jeannette Augustus Marks is a guidebook written in the early 20th century. The work focuses on the experiences and responsibilities of school and college girls as they navigate their educational environments and prepare for their futures. Marks emphasizes the importance of personal development, accountability, and the role of friendships in shaping one's school life. The opening of the book presents an introduction by Mary Emma Woolley, who underscores the significance of the "school and college girl" in contemporary society, highlighting the increasing attention paid to their development. Marks's work aims to provide valuable insights and practical advice to new and current students, encouraging them to actively engage with their educational experience. The first chapter introduces the concept of the "ideal freshman," illustrating the qualities that contribute to a successful school life, including cooperation, responsibility, and the importance of forming meaningful connections with peers. Overall, the beginning of the book sets a foundational tone for a thoughtful exploration of student life from both practical and philosophical perspectives.
Carl Brown Riddle
College Men Without Money
"College Men Without Money" by Carl Brown Riddle is a collection of personal narratives written in the early 20th century. The book focuses on the experiences of various students who managed to work their way through college despite financial hardships. It presents a testament to determination, resilience, and the influence of supportive figures in the pursuit of education. The opening of the work introduces the purpose and the thematic direction of the collection, establishing the editor's intention to inspire those struggling to finance their education. In the initial sections, testimonies of individuals like Forrest B. Ames and Rev. Richard Aspinall narrate their journeys of balancing work and studies, highlighting the sacrifices they made and the creative ways they earned money. These personal stories detail the challenges faced, such as the necessity of supporting families or working multiple jobs, while also emphasizing a shared belief that with willpower and persistence, achieving educational goals is within reach. Overall, the beginning sets the stage for a moving narrative about overcoming adversity through hard work and self-reliance.
Horace Meyer Kallen
College prolongs infancy
"College Prolongs Infancy" by Horace M. Kallen is a critical essay written in the early 20th century, specifically in the early 1930s. The book evaluates the educational system, particularly focusing on how colleges and universities contribute to a prolonged period of immaturity in students rather than preparing them for adulthood. Kallen argues that the ideals and practices of higher education are largely irrelevant to the real-life challenges faced by graduates, perpetuating a sense of dependency and childishness instead of fostering maturity and responsibility. In the book, Kallen presents a thorough critique of the higher education system, illustrating how its structure and curriculum are disconnected from the realities of adult life. He highlights that students often emerge from this system ill-equipped for real-world responsibilities, having excelled in subjects that lack practical application. Kallen discusses the societal implications of this failure, emphasizing that the prolonged youthful state enforced by colleges delays individuals' entry into adulthood, with practical skills often overshadowed by theoretical knowledge. He decries this state of affairs as detrimental not only to the students but to society at large, arguing for a reformation of educational practices that better align with the requirements of both personal development and societal engagement.
Recently surfaced classics