In response to Blake's post today:
I totally agree. You[Blake] are having a similar revelation to the one I had at WMU. U of M was a bit different but then again, they're always a bit different. I have continued to notice that same type of behavior and I think it might actually start around 5th or 6th grade. We happen to be a small percentage of college-goers that care and want to grow, not just walk away with a piece of paper and a job.That paper is nothing if you can't back it up. I understand that at times, people feel the need to cut corners in order to cram more opportunities into their life. This isn't the type of people we're talking about.
A poorly attempted goal of the American mentality is to get all young people to go to college. This idea that only those that go to college will succeed is a false one. Success is not based on what grades you got in your sophomore math class or how far you can run in gym. It has nothing to do with the classes you took unless you absorb the necessary information for future reference. A degree in one field may make a person credible under certain circumstances but without the passion, drive, and connections, a person can only get so far.
This definitely affects the way students act in classes, lectures, etc at school. The students choosing to be there in order to learn can become distracted by those that are there because attendance counts. The mob mentality is contagious. Someone starting that carelessness can easily rub off on others if they aren't careful. I think it's particularly visible in intro and core classes. Once students get into their third and fourth years they begin to realize that if they don't at least attempt to care, they might as well kiss that embossed parchment good-bye.
A poorly attempted goal of the American mentality is to get all young people to go to college. This idea that only those that go to college will succeed is a false one. Success is not based on what grades you got in your sophomore math class or how far you can run in gym. It has nothing to do with the classes you took unless you absorb the necessary information for future reference. A degree in one field may make a person credible under certain circumstances but without the passion, drive, and connections, a person can only get so far.
This definitely affects the way students act in classes, lectures, etc at school. The students choosing to be there in order to learn can become distracted by those that are there because attendance counts. The mob mentality is contagious. Someone starting that carelessness can easily rub off on others if they aren't careful. I think it's particularly visible in intro and core classes. Once students get into their third and fourth years they begin to realize that if they don't at least attempt to care, they might as well kiss that embossed parchment good-bye.