For Grades or For Learning

Do we as students just do coursework to get good grades or do we do what we do for learning's sake? I'm serious about my coursework, but sometimes I wonder just how much of this stuff is going to be useful in my career. Sometimes it seems as though the degree we'll earn from completing four years of college is more important than the learning that could come from four years of college. I mean I'm a English major- Professional Writing Track and I wonder how is Victorian Literature going to help me create the rich, graphic urban novels I strive to create?