College students across the land are required to take at least one English composition (ENC 1101) class. More often they have to take at least two full semesters of English comp at most colleges and universities. However, this will likely not apply at vocational or technical schools. The reason English composition is so important is because everything else a student does in college is based on the skills they learn in this class.

As a matter of fact, it isn’t just in college that we use the lessons we learn in English Composition. We use the skills from this in real life for the rest of our lives, because written communication is so important. Imagine trying to write a letter to the editor or a complaint letter to the electric company without writing or literacy skills. It would be impossible.

In English composition, students will gain a fluent level of reading and writing literacy. They may also complete a number of other learning experiences to help them attain that level of literacy. For example, many English composition classes require students to read poetry aloud in order to teach critical but fine differences in the two forms. They may even be asked to compose a poem or using a traditional poetic form, like a sonnet.

Many English composition classes have students watch film adaptations of the novels or other works they are reading. Two examples would be Romeo and Juliet and Jane Eyre, which both have had several film adaptations made. Students may have to write papers on the differences between the film and the original work, and if they think the differences had an impact of the meaning of the work. This kind of work can help a student craft persuasive and clear critical analysis.

Persuasive writing is a critical element of any college degree. Most college classes have a requirement for written essays. An essay is an important tool for professors to see that students can critically analyze the course material. In the professional world, persuasive writing is used all the time, in legal arguments, advertising, or even in letters to corporate offices asking for additional funding for certain projects.

Additionally, English composition classes also teach students to reason carefully so that their argument will stand up to scrutiny. Professors and instructors will carefully read and criticize their student’s papers to make sure they can logically show evidence to prove their thesis. Proving a thesis is generally the ultimate goal of most college essays and papers, although creative writing classes will be more concerned with creating a narrative or storyline.

Grammar and punctuation is also very important in college papers. Without proper grammar, papers are unreadable. English composition students use the MLA stylebook to format their papers correctly. Other departments may use different stylebooks like APA, but English composition class will help students understand how to use it, no matter the style.

English composition classes will help students once they graduate because it will help them craft resumes and cover letters that are persuasive. Being able to write well is a skill that every kind of business needs in its employees. Successfully completing college English will help students carve a path in the business world that leads to promotions and raises. Smart students will explore free online college classes options to begin their degree track.

A large part of any college degree is the interdisciplinary aspect of academic studies.  That means students are exposed to a wide variety of material in many different subject areas.  Students are required to take a certain number of core classes that make up the foundation of their education, and these include courses in English, the sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the arts.  Being exposed to many different areas may better help a student decide what area of study they find the most invigorating or interesting.

Colleges and universities recognize that a well-educated student is a student who is better prepared to tackle the challenges of the work place.  For that reason, many institutions are now including intro to psychology on their list of classes that are required for graduation.  Many universities want to instill in their students of feeling of connectivity with the rest of the world, and a course in psychology can help students understand that we are all connected on some basic level just by virtue of being human.

Understanding human psychology can be an important part of understanding the many things that happen in the world.  Although we may be spread far and wide, there are basic commonalities to human psychology in every culture and nationality.  An introduction to psychology course can help students understand at a basic level the workings of the human mind, and the thoughts, emotions, and processes that generally lie behind human behavior, both good and bad.

Within the discipline of psychology are a great number of sub-disciplines.  People who are interested in working in psychology may find themselves thinking about entering business or marketing, or they may want to do academic research into the biology of making decisions.  Taking an intro to psychology can help a student see the different ways that psychological knowledge can be used in different work aspects.

Of course, the human brain is the largest physical component of psychology, and students can expect to learn about the brain, its physiology, and diseases that affect it as well as evolutionary aspects of brain development.  It is likely that students will also learn about people who developed the field of psychology itself, and the historical aspects that go back to ancient civilizations and Greek philosophers.  Additionally, sexuality, gender roles, nurture vs. nature and consciousness will also be briefly looked at.

Students will also learn about human behavior and the mental goings on that cause it, as well as environmental impact on brain development.  It is also very likely that there will be discussions regarding what constitutes normal human behavior in various societies.  Of course, taking an intro to psychology will not enable a student to diagnose mental illness, but it may give a student an understanding of what causes certain illnesses.

Students will also learn that understanding animal behavior is an important aspect of psychology.  They will learn that many researchers work with animals to understand how the brain functions.  In fact, many important discoveries in animal research have made an impact in psychology, like the discoveries that were made regarding primate learning and passing knowledge from generation to generation.

Students who considering careers should look into psychology courses online through the many free college programs options offered. Having a background in psychology studies benefits many career choices. Whether a student decides to go into marketing or medicine, understanding human thought, emotions and behavior can be very beneficial in the workplace. Companies are always interested to have employees in their ranks who have a good understanding of human behavior and thought processes, because it can help companies reach their customers and be more profitable, too.