College education versus commonsense

[hypochondriac]

Common sense doesnt come naturally to me. I envy people with it and they seem to do well in life overrall.
What really impresses me though are people who are both intellectual and very grounded. Earthy. Can communicate in laymans terms.
It also depends what you study at College. If you study Engineering I think you would have to be very pragmatic. Otherwise buildings and bridges would collapse.
Those of us who did Arts are more idealistic perhaps? Living in our imaginations? Ive always preferred the Arts or Humanities though.

 

[Ruthanne]

I have had to find common sense in life very often even though I have a grad. degree. Knowing what to do and when is important and having street smarts are also very important.

 

[Kit Kat]

In my field of world which is a High School Educator I really believe I have to balance what I learned in all my books and classes in college as well as common sense or I'd fail miserably and those High School Kids would eat me alive each and everyday. I also feel this goes in everyday life.

 

[Ronni]

Common sense has little to do with education, intelligence or upbringing in my experience. I know some highly intelligent highly educated people who don’t have a lick of common sense!

I don’t think you can instill or teach common sense to a very great degree either.

 

[Ruthanne]

Common sense has little to do with education, intelligence or upbringing in my experience. I know some highly intelligent highly educated people who don’t have a lick of common sense!

I don’t think you can instill or teach common sense to a very great degree either.

Experience is the teacher.

 

[hypochondriac]

let's define commonsense then. it is a kind of vague term.

commonsense (noun)

1. good sense and sound judgement in practical matters.
   "it is all a matter of common sense" ·
   [more]
   synonyms:
   good sense · sense · sensibleness · native wit · native intelligence · mother wit · wit · judgement · sound judgement · level-headedness · prudence · discernment ·
   [more]

does that help?

 

[hypochondriac]

I know some highly intelligent highly educated people who don’t have a lick of common sense!

That's me. Except the highly intelligent , highly educated part.

 

[hypochondriac]

In my field of world which is a High School Educator I really believe I have to balance what I learned in all my books and classes in college as well as common sense or I'd fail miserably and those High School Kids would eat me alive each and everyday. I also feel this goes in everyday life.

Thanks for your post. I used to be a primary school teacher and found the demands of commonsense a huge learning curve. But I did gradually learn some basic survival skills. otherwise as you say, you get eaten alive. I really respect high school teachers. In hindsight, I think it is better to get the commonsense part covered first. Then gradually work towards more idealistic notions of getting an education.

 

[Ruthanne]

Thanks for your post. I used to be a primary school teacher and found the demands of commonsense a huge learning curve. But I did gradually learn some basic survival skills. otherwise as you say, you get eaten alive. I really respect high school teachers. In hindsight, I think it is better to get the commonsense part covered first. Then gradually work towards more idealistic notions of getting an education.

It doesn't always happen that way though.

 

[Kit Kat]

Thanks for your post. I used to be a primary school teacher and found the demands of commonsense a huge learning curve. But I did gradually learn some basic survival skills. otherwise as you say, you get eaten alive. I really respect high school teachers. In hindsight, I think it is better to get the commonsense part covered first. Then gradually work towards more idealistic notions of getting an education.

I am also a Physical Education and Health Instructor so I do not teach one of the main core curriculum courses. So I can't imagine how difficult it is for those teachers who teach English, Math, Science, and History.

 

[hypochondriac]

I don’t think you can instill or teach common sense to a very great degree either.

Interesting comment. I tend to agree but then maybe not. maybe you can teach commonsense. When we pass on our wisdom to kids, aren't they learning commonsense? im reminded of teaching small kids to look both ways before they cross the road. Also "stranger danger" education. Commonsense education is probably more common in elementary school than high school.

 

[Kit Kat]

It doesn't always happen that way though.

I am just saying you have to use both.

 

[hypochondriac]

I am also a Physical Education and Health Instructor

Lots of common sense education in health like diet for example. But your job reminds me of the time I used to take the kids outside and my voice would get lost in the wind!!

 

[Kit Kat]

Lots of common sense education in health like diet for example. But your job reminds me of the time I used to take the kids outside and my voice would get lost in the wind!!

Well, my outside voice is used quite often especially with the 9th graders.

 

[Ruthanne]

I am just saying you have to use both.

Yes! Definitely do!

 

[C'est Moi]

Nevermind

 

[Lc jones]

I don’t know about you all but I find that common sense is becoming less common. Opinions?

 

[hypochondriac]

I don’t know about you all but I find that common sense is becoming less common. Opinions?

That's an interesting comment too. Ive always associated commonsense with making conservative choices that might seem dull to the more impulsive and rash. I think when you get to our age, you realise the value of commonsense. I am speaking personally here as someone who was and can still; be impulsive. Those dull boring choices like saving money for retirement actually are the right ones.

 

[Ruthanne]

I don’t know about you all but I find that common sense is becoming less common. Opinions?

i think it is very common but needs to explored. Informed choices can mix with common sense.

 

[Lc jones]

That's an interesting comment too. Ive always associated commonsense with making conservative choices that might seem dull to the more impulsive and rash. I think when you get to our age, you realise the value of commonsense. I am speaking personally here as someone who was and can still; be impulsive. Those dull boring choices like saving money for retirement actually are the right ones.
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Exactly

 

[Judycat]

Common sense vs Evil intent
Now there's a game worth playing.

 

[Don M.]

Common sense is an individual trait....no amount of education can instill that into a person. Throughout my working career I lost count of those who could only be described as "educated idiots".

 

[Ruthanne]

Common sense is an individual trait....no amount of education can instill that into a person. Throughout my working career I lost count of those who could only be described as "educated idiots".

What about common sense Neanderthals? It works both ways ya know.

 

[hypochondriac]

Common sense is an individual trait....no amount of education can instill that into a person. Throughout my working career I lost count of those who could only be described as "educated idiots".

i can sense the pain of those who have had to experience and deal with impractical theory obsessed intellectuals. Still lets not dismiss college education altogether. Theres more to life than commonsense anyway. in my humble college educated opinion

 

[Ruthanne]

What about the pain of the college grads with their crap ?