As humans we can all define the value of things independently.  Some have even said "ones man's trash is another man's treasure."  Someone taking the route to higher education in their life can help them become things they have always dreamed of becoming.  Getting a bachelors degree can give someone the education they don't have and the ability to use that knowledge-hopefully.  However there are those who do have the knowledge, but unfortunately to strive in society they are forced to get the degree anyway.  They are forced to financially and emotionally stress for many years.
Some hoping to become teachers in any subject or art have to obtain higher education.  Even if the person has extreme talent in spreading knowledge to others.  No matter how much of a master they are of their trade they will never survive in society.  Merely because they did not put themselves through the college life.  If they have, they are guaranteed a better chance in obtaining employment than someone who has not.  Because of this many are put against their will and undergo the life of a college student.  Either to go on and become the teacher they've always wanted to be, or broken and fallen to a life less involved in the initial life goal.  
The worth of obtaining the degree would be very high for anyone who obtains one.  Holding something of high value will take you further in life and keep opening doors.  The procedure for obtaining a degree is the most difficult task and where most concern of it's worth comes from.

An  essay titled The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold? is a prime example of how the "American Dream" is perceived in so many ways.  The author, Brandon King, begins by defining where the phrase "American Dream" came from, and how it applies to our country today.  He defines the phrase in his own words to establish his personal opinion, and then further establishes those opinions in depth.  

According to King the "American Dream" is defined as "potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future."  King believes that this definition still holds truth even though there are others who do not.  The people who do not hold the same belief as King are defined as "liberal economists and activist" in his essay.  These people are the ones that feel the dream is dead because the extreme differences in social class.  They believe there is not enough balance in the class system for the economy to flourish to it fullest.

King's argument opposes that.  King believes that the dramatic difference in social class is what will bring our country to better economic standards.  King no longer wants the upper classes to be scrutinized for their will being, but aided in further growth.  He believes that instead, they should be receiving more assistance in their businesses to further stimulate the economy and it's growth.

I have chosen to reflect on this essay because I believe that it is important to create better social balances.  In King's essay he explains that the wealthier classes should be getting more in hopes that they stimulate our economy.  Thus, allowing the lower and middle classes to grow.  I however only see the result as those classes growing in population rather than in higher social standards.  Allowing more people to subject to living a low social standard life will not change the economy.

I don't believe that giving the wealthy more will benefit my life in any way.  In fact I fear what the impact will be on my life if we continue to allow to grow.  If the wealthier classes claim to need more money to create more jobs.  More jobs so that they may grow even larger in America to fulfill their "American Dream" even more.  I don't believe that they should have the rights control our social class system.

Albert Einstein cheerfully says "Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving."  While riding a bicycle the momentum of the gyroscopes must be maintained  in order to keep the bicycle upright, and projecting forward.  Otherwise the bicycle and you will fall right over to one side.  In life momentum must also be maintained to keep balance, and forward projection.  If projection forward in life comes to a halt than balance will be lost.  If the balance is lost then there is extreme possibility of falling over as well.

Einstein makes a valid point that I see deeply into.  Since bicycles were created as means of transportation there are many conclusions one can assume of a cyclist.  One being simply the goal they have set to reach a certain destination.  Whether that be work, school, grocery store, or even a friends home. The goal is already set in stone.  Once the bike is mounted and projecting forward the destination will at some point be reached.

In life many people create similar scenarios.  Having goals that one hopes to meet is like reaching that destination.  Many have to project forward until that goal is met in their life.  If there is no projection than the balance is jeopardized, and the possibility to fall over raises.  If you fall to hard it can be very hard to get up.  The momentum must be maintained, and more goals will be met.

Considering myself a novice writer there are many talents I hope to gain in English 102.  The most pressing idea on my mind would be the ability to structure my papers, of any length, as concisely as possible.  While processing my draft I always seem to think of more that could be said to further emphasize, or just to make things more clear to a reader.  The hard part of that would be placing the information in the appropriate place.  The information given should be arranged in the most balanced form so that it all adds up.  I may view something in my mind a certain way, but explaining it another way may be a better option at times.  Being able to have a resource to figure out what those options are is going to be very helpful.  The task of rearranging my ideas so they appear more clear to others isn't always easy.  Also, being able to tell when things are over emphasized would be helpful.  I would like to be able to understand how I may be stressing a thought to much, thus throwing my other thoughts out of balance.  Being able to create a balanced paper where things are all emphasized equally is a goal I have set for English 102.