So, it is with a feeling of complete assent that I read the op-ed piece in the New York Times, "Should the Obama Generation Drop Out?" I am not sure when higher education became so sullied, but the fact of the matter is that college is no longer the defining factor of intelligence, success, or motivation. College has become a bit of a joke.
Case in point. Last month an old student sent me an essay to proof and comment upon. This particular student was never a strong writer but did have exceptional talent in the math and sciences. The essay was mediocre at best. I gave some hints to improve the piece, but did not go into extreme detail - this student needs to stand on his own two feet! He emailed me a couple of weeks later saying he received an 'A' on the paper. Although I was happy for him, I was also shocked. The first draft of the essay was no where near an 'A' paper. So, I asked him to send along the copy that he turned in. Long story short, after I got over my shock and awe, I decided I would have given him a 'C' - out of pity.
The fact that a college professor was overtly lenient on grading is just one example of how colleges are no longer offering students the quality of education that will make the future of this country great. If the quality of the education is not up to par, then neither is the degree. Therefore, as Murray states in the NY Times op-ed, a degree should not be the defining factor in gaining employment. As he so succinctly states, "It's what you can do that should count when you apply for a job, not where you learned how to do it."
As an educator who truly believes in the value of a true, worthy, college education, I do not make these statements lightly. There are some fantastic college programs out there that offer a true education. But on the flip side, there are many people out there that would not benefit from a college education because they can already DO what they need to in their respective jobs.
So what should be more important? Spending four years trying to "find yourself" in college (as many students do these days) or just getting out there and doing what must be done to get ahead (and in some cases, it is going to college)?
19 comments:
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so real, so true, its life, the future, the present, now!
After reading the post and thinking for a few minutes, I agree. At first I thought to myself: I want to be a lawyer, and it's necessary to graduate from a prestigious university to do so. However, what will I accomplish that I can't from the resources around me like libraries and computers? Today in class you told us that college professors don't nurture their students with extra help or encouragement; the only way that this differs from gaining the equivalent amount of knowledge from books and the internet is that I won't walk away with a piece of paper that states that I am qualified for a given career. Would I do this if employers felt the same way? Definitely. However that's not the case, so I'm technically obligated to follow a path which includes a college diploma so long as employers rely on such a philosophy when hiring workers.
College is not the place in my oppinion to find yourself. Yoy dont have time to waste some of the most valuable years of your life this way. For me it is about moving forward and involving yourself in new things. Unfortunately it is very true what you say about colleges now a day. When i ask some of my friends who went away how college is all they talk about is the parties and not its curriculum. Unfortunately this is why other countries are becoming more advanced than us.
In my opinion by the time you go to college you should already have an opiniin of who you are. I believe that college is a place where you expand your knowledge and get your life on track. I agree with you on the fact that many students go to college for the experience and not for the sole purpose of furthering there education. I on the other hand hope to learn alot more in college and gain the knowledge I need to do my chosen perfession.
I do agree that there is many people out there that may not benefit from learning in College for their careers, but there is many that will. If someone goes to college just for the degree, it will eventually catch up to them when their knowledge is really needed in a job situation. But when someone who actually takes then time to learn as much as possible, it will benefit them more in the end.
In may case, I am not as knowledgeable as I need to be in the field of medicine. But with college I know that I will be able to learn what I need to know and more for the field of medicine I want to go into.
This is one of the main reasons why America has been regarded as dumb compared to other countries around the world. The majority of kids that head off to college really know what they what to major in. That turns into just partying and what not, wasting their time and money.
About the reason for "finding yourself" at college I disagree with. When you go to college, you should have a general idea of what you want to do. If not, head to a community college ,finish the first two years (or however long it is) of general studies, while having a basic job for money to come in. In this time you should know what you would like to pursue. As of right now that is my plan.
College has succumbed to the final frontier of capitalism. It's true, despite 'devotion' to the education of massses, colleges have to compete with one-another for money. By a professor making a college with 'high-standards' be an easy ride, the hidden hopes might be good 'P.R.' for the college itself. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, but for everyone on both ends of the system. Students are merely 'falling into' this problem, though it can be avoided with actual concern for one's own education.
I do not agree with the fact that people go to college to find who they are. If you are attending college you should have some idea of who you are because if your not an adult your pretty damn close. If you cannot decide who you are theres a problem. College is about progressing in your life and working for what you want. It's not all about parties even though a good one is necessary every once in awhile. Many of the "uneducated" students go to college for the wrong reasons, and not for an education. Therefore, college is all about expanding your knowledge in the field you want to study so that you can continue living your life.
I think that college is ment for studying ang getting better at what you want to be (your major). If you dont know your major or have an idea of what you want to do then dont waste four years of your life for nothing. You might as well work at a returant for four years. Exspecially now the price of colleges,y ou shouldnt be going there for no reason.
I agree with Christina, You should have an opinion of who you are before you get to college. You cant be wasting valuable years in college trying to find yourself, you need that time to focus on your studies. I also believe that college is a place that you expand your knowledge of the major that you want to pursue and figure out what you want to do with your life.
When I think of college through the eyes Hollywood portrays it as, I see parties and a carefree lively-hood which I know is not true. Though I wouldn’t doubt that someone has taken movies like road trip, or national lampoon as there image of college. I wish to be someone in charge, who has to think on there feet and build a corporation. Right now the major in my mind is business management but until I really know what that type of work is like how will I ever know if I truly like it. I do not view college as a place to find yourself, in my mind that should’ve been over with in middle school. I do not even see college as a place for you to find your passion that should be left to high school. I see college as a place that should give you the opportunity to gain the knowledge to follow that passion. I agree that college isn't for everyone, but I do believe that if everyone knew what college should do (even the teachers) then it would be helpful for a lot more people.
In a way, you are correct; many of your points are true in deciding the right choice in college. I personally agree with a few. The point of college for me is not only the education one receives there, but also the experience that are attached to it. Its not that I am not concerned with the education that I will receive, but the personally lifestyle and daily routines are important in creating a college lifestyle. Would you disagree?
I do agree about the sad fact that our generation chooses college not on education but on something that is pleasurable for only a moment. Hopefully, there are young adults out there such as myself who believes that college is for a better education and there is still fun involved but knowledge should be the primary goal.
I bet everyone took the easy route and commented your blog post about the Gators winning the national championship. They and most students are becoming ok with just settling, being average, and not striving for higher learning. I also noticed the same rating system you mentioned when I was on my first college tour. A majority of those on the college tour were more concerned with finding old friends who had graduated from Cypress already, college girls worthy of having their picture taken to be kept as a memento or how aesthetically pleasing the campus was to behold.
Now I'm not trying to harangue any my fellow classmates, I am merely rewarding the minority for taking full advantage of the tour and the plethora of information it had to offer. These "outcasts" didn't go on the trip to "find" anything; they made the trip because they believed "it had to be done." It's not clear which group I belonged to, but it is evident by this comment that I'm leaning more TOWARDS the pro-active crowd, and not looking INWARD.
I guess you're right (of course you're right). When I hear about college, most people just want to go to get awway and part, etc. Of course, education is a part of the reason for their zeal, but it's not the defining factor like it should be. Me? I just want to go to college for the education. Parties, girls, that's all part of it as well, but in the future I want a job that not only supports me and my (future)family, but also a job that I love. College and higher education opens up so many doors, that I'm not going to just pass it up to party. I'm sure a lot of people really feel this way as well, they just get caught up in being away from home.
I think that you should have an idea of who you are and what you represent before you get to college. Then, when you go to college you grow more until you become where you want to be. However, I do believe that college is not for many people. College is an option, but I think it is a place where I will find out a little more about myself. I think that it a great opportunity.
I totally agree. Highschool students think that collage is all about the parties and finally getting the freedom they have been waiting for. I hear my friends say they want to go to a particular collage but when i ask them why they just say well because i like it. or because thats where my sisters friend went.My generation dosnt take it seriously. Not that we really take anything seriously for that matter. But dont hold that against me.
It’s very said that kids now in days all they think about is party and who to become more popular. If you would go up to 50 kids and tell them to tell u the first thing that comes out of their head when they hear the word college, only 10 will actually say education. Others would say to get away, party, the great experience, ect. Like we learned in class you don’t have to go to college to make a living out of yourself. Don’t go to college because you have to but because you want to for a legit reason. Many of the kids now don’t realize that their parents are working hard to pay for their colleges and to go their and not take advantage and get an education is in my opinion is disrespecting your family. So before talking bout how college party and dorms are gona be so much "fun" stop and think to yourself is it really worth it.
One last thing if you really it to the parties don’t go to college and take a spot for some one that wants to learn and just rent an apartment down in south beach.
I find it very true that most people think college is just a place to go after high school. I too am one that rates colleges on the party's and how attractive the opposite sex is. The real reason I want to go to UCF is because the vast majority of my friends are going to be attending UCF. I think studying and furthering your education is a part of college, but its definitely not the whole part. A huge part of college is learning to live on your own, not having your parents to everything for you. It is a great place to learn responsibility. However am going to look at college more academically.
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