Each new semester begins with the excitement of new classes and new experiences, but sometimes they’re filled with a whole lot of unnecessary disappointment.

For most students, at least one of their classes — whether it be in a semester or within their entire college career — begins with the professor announcing the difficulty or the rigorous time commitment of the course they are teaching. Most of the time such announcements are followed by either chatter of dissatisfaction or the sound of backpacks zipping up proceeded by students walking out the door.

When did the declarations of difficulty concerning a class become the reason to not take it? When did the idea of getting an education become a debate in how difficult or laborious a class or major is? Does getting a degree even matter if the person receiving it was never challenged in anyway?

Getting an education is suppose to be difficult. Getting a degree is suppose to be a challenge and dealing with challenge is necessary for the advancement of the human race, and for individual progress as well. Our society would be in shambles if the influential leaders of history gave up every time the going got rough and we as students, perhaps on a smaller scale, should follow their examples.

To be challenged is not only imperative for an effective education system, but it’s a requirement to experience any sort of success in our lives.

The next time a professor describes the rigor of their course, instead of focusing on the ensuing workload, try to concentrate on the gratifying future.

Collegian Editorial Board can be reached at letters@collegian.com.