The Purpose of your Education at the University

Education is at your disposal at the University, it is the responsibility of the student to pursue

the knowledge. As reported in the IPEDS Graduation Rate Survey, 53% of the freshmen completed their bachelor’s within six years of their enrollment. What happened to the rest of the 47% of the students? The academic structure at UIC is such that it allows multiple avenues for students to discover their own personal identity. Not only does being at the University signify that you are on an upper level academically but also that students at this level have the special opportunity to paint anything they desire onto their canvas or university transcript, so to speak.

Let’s suppose that a student that is a “pre-med” and decides to embark on the journey of
becoming a doctor. Where does that journey begin? Perhaps it was as soon as he/she enrolled in the
University. Or even before entering college and during their own voluntary experiences. No matter
where you begin, let’s applaud the mere fact you made it thus far. So now that we are here, what is
expected of these motivated students? Let us take a closer look.

Will there be some kind of initiation required for me to be labeled a pre-med student? Do I have
to join some sort of club that boasts its mission? The answer is yes and no. The reality of the situation is that the University gives the student freedom. Students at the University level are required to select a major of their choice. This is where the student has the freedom to drop everything in the past and decide for themselves a future withholding many different promises. Therefore you must choose carefully. Besides the selecting of a major, there are many resources available within your reach to help grasp a quality education.

The resources at UIC can range from the writing center in Grant Hall to the Science Learning
Center (SLC) in SES. Teaching assistants and other faculty are constantly looking for motivated
individuals that seek knowledge. Learning does not stop there; many different people of many different backgrounds are there to learn from you and for you to learn from them. Biologically we are of the same species! Limiting yourself to only class work will essentially not provide ample opportunity for growth in your career goals. Clubs and activities are available only to help students get involved socially within the context of the UIC community and beyond.

Let’s make it a point to help each other in the terms of academia; a group of doctors is more
beneficial than just one. Learning from others past experiences will develop better doctors, or any other form of a professional. UIC is in need of these kinds of people who are there to sacrifice their time to better help the sense of community that UIC offers. So don’t be shy and show up on time insha’ Allah.

Lastly as you embark on this journey of knowledge it is important to be conscious of why it is
you chose the direction of your own individual path. Does choosing a particular major benefit you or someone else? It may be possible that your chosen path will not work. Learning experiences whether
positive or negative often can be the result of where you end up along this journey of seeking
knowledge. May Allah (swt) grant you the best of what education has to offer as well as success.
By Muzaffar Khan