One of the biggest things that every student has trouble with when they come to Southern is the amount of worship credits needed every semester. When I went to Union College, Southern’s absurd amount of worship credits was one of the reasons why I had passed on Southern at the time (sorry, not sorry).The demands can be classified as ridiculous. And the new addition of cultural credit requirements only makes this more true.
During the last few years, all the credits were equal, and we just needed to go to enough functions (dorm worships, vespers, convocations, etc.) to get the required amount. This system worked fine, even if the amounts were ridiculous. I mean, 60 credits for freshman is a lot. That is a ton of time spent on things that are not friends, family, homework and recreation. I get it, but at Union I only needed 30 credits as a freshman. Now, living in Village, I need 30 credits.
Don’t get me wrong. I think that spending time with God is super important. After all, that’s why I chose an Adventist university. I wanted the spiritual connection. That’s why. For the spiritual connection. Ok. I’m rambling, but I’m clear in my purpose for choosing this school. So, why, if that was what drew me here, is the administration requiring me to get cultural credits that may have nothing to do with God? Why should I have to spend my time on things that don’t matter to me when I have so many other obligations?
I know I’m not the busiest person on campus, but my time is extremely limited. I am taking sixteen credit hours, auditing three musical ensemble classes, editing this section, working in the library twelve hours a week and somehow maintaining a decent social life. I’m a freaking Titan. However, I still have trouble meeting those credit requirements.
Life is busy. Administration needs to understand both the overall requirements and the requirements of individual schools when they make policies. Anyone working in that area of campus, please be merciful on us poor college students. Make things easier for us, not harder. I don’t speak for everyone, but I know I speak for many when I say I’m working so hard, and I just want a little bit of a break.