Melody McLain Contemporary Literacy Blog

Is Higher Education Worth the Price? Yes. Depending on who you are. Higher education provides you with life skills, and creative problem-solving, and pushes you to expand your intellectual knowledge. You are sharpening a broad set of skills, which you will use to go further in your career. Though, college does not equate to success. Alternatives are useful and should be looked at if one does not know what they want to do with a degree. Going straight into the job market, going to a vocational or trade school, or getting an online degree are all different pathways from the standard 4-year university and most importantly, they work. You can make a living without a degree, it is not a requirement. People try college, realize it is not for them, and carry on.  What are your personal goals career-wise? What do you wish to accomplish? Can you accomplish it without a college degree? Are you financially in good standing to be able to attend higher education in the first place?  Accord...

The comparison between fast food and tobacco is something I have never heard of before, even though it is growing increasingly more common. Both heavily impact public health, using their targeted marketing strategies and lack of regulation to embed both into everyday culture. It is normal to have a cigarette and get McDonalds after. It is normal to hit your blue raspberry-flavored vape while door-dashing Taco Bell at 4am. It is normal to consume with no hesitancy. You know it is bad for you, you know you should stop, but you don't. It is all about convenience and reliability. You can rely on fast food and tobacco to always be there, it is not going anywhere. Both are forms of addictions and comparing the two can be seen as both advantageous and counterproductive. While stating facts is always beneficial, we need to understand the reasoning behind both addictions. There is always more to someone's story. Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt are addictive. People crave these foods,...