The Daily Cardinal Action Project series is an effort to investigate under-reported issues facing the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the surrounding community. The second edition of this project attempts to take a 360 degree look at a college experience. We hope this issue and these stories will spark an ongoing discussion.
About this issue
A note from the management desk: Navigating the college journey in the game of 'Life'
What does the journey of higher education mean in 2014? For some of us, it’s a rite of passage into adulthood and a time to explore. For others, it’s a necessity to secure a meaningful and successful career.
News
UW strives to improve lagging advising services
In 2010, the University of Wisconsin-Madison set aside $1.5 million in supplemental student tuition charges to improve the quality and accessibility of academic and career advising for undergraduate students.
Going beyond immediate drug 'fixes'
How tired do you feel right now? How many papers, work shifts and parties are pulling on your conscious, demanding your attention? How are you going to cope? Students and doctors question the largely unknown long-term effects of stimulant drugs and whether they are worth the risk.
Time abroad sparks global learning
This traditional impression of a classroom becomes outdated when considering statistics from the study abroad office that 2,159 University of Wisconsin-Madison students studied abroad and 147 students interned abroad during the 2010-’11 academic year.
The 'right to know before you go': Legislators work to improve students' access to post-graduate information before enrollment
Expensive introductory textbooks? Check. A more refined wardrobe to impress potential new friends? Check. Self-conducted cost-benefit analysis of majors with their average post-graduate earnings to determine an academic path before struggling through a basic economics class? Probably not.
Creating a common academic language: A look at the ILS program
“The modern university doesn’t believe in a curriculum,” University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Richard Avramenko insists.
Bridging the gap between indecision and purpose
The train of American education boards students at preschool and stops every nine months when summer rolls around to allow passengers to stretch their legs and explore the scenery, in hopes they will find an academic track to continue navigating before reaching the final destination of college graduation.
Video
I chose college in the game of life because....
Opinion
Cardinal view: Job insecurity skews value of college degree
Increasing job insecurity in an unstable economy makes getting a college degree a double-edged sword: the financial investment is a risk that may not pay off, but at the same time, without a degree there are few secure and potentially fulfilling career options.
MOOCs remain a debated form of college education
Moving from a traditional lecture hall setting to an online digital classroom is a phenomenon that those in higher education are consistently debating.
Computer coding education increases in importance
I recently asked a friend what she thinks will be the most useful language to know in the future. Her answer? A computer coding language. Although it wasn’t the answer I was looking for, it makes sense.
Affirmative action in higher ed reinforces racial discrimination
Life & Style
Dress your best to create an exceptional first impression
The first impression that you give in a face-to-face interview can often be a make-or-break moment in any industry.
How to prepare for a great interview
Many college students worry about scoring a summer internship or job after college. A huge part of their fear surrounds the interview process. What should I wear? What should I say?
How to market yourself on Facebook
Here are some of the do’s and don’ts of how you can create an informative Facebook profile that shows off worker qualities and accomplishments while providing a unique portrait of yourself as a person.
Your feedback
The Daily Cardinal wants to know your input on what a college degree means. Let us know by emailing actionproject@dailycardinal.com and tweeting at #dcactionproject.