As I prepare to graduate in May, I’m taking a closer look around me – at my fellow students, professors and the academic environment in general. I am nothing less than embarrassed by the conduct and attitude of my peers in regard to higher education.

Every day, I watch students text message their way through an entire class period. Some will outright start a phone conversation if the lecture hall is big enough. Many times, a student’s iPod won’t even come out of his or her ears or turn off during class. I see students show up for class long enough for attendance or to take a quiz and then just leave. There are so many people out there who would love to take your seat and have access to a college education, but here you are, squandering it. Your everyday actions show your lack of respect for your professors, fellow students and yourself.

Still, all I hear is complaining. People blame the professors, the college, the textbook; everything and everyone but themselves. Suddenly people “get” grades. How about this: You EARN grades. So, do people take ownership of their education and work harder? No. Why should you when a “C” is average and a “D” gets you a diploma? Maybe all of this doesn’t matter to you. Wake up! You’ve been incubated, anesthetized and coddled for too long. Real life is approaching at an alarming rate.

Try and tout your “D” or “C” average in the working world. Then blame the university when you can’t compete in the job market. You never spoke up in class, never tried to improve your presentation skills and always gave the minimum effort to get by. You spent all that time in class sending text messages or sleeping. You never learned how to speak intelligently or socialize without alcohol. Now you bomb every interview you’re lucky enough to be granted.

Maybe I’m just a jerk with an over-romanticized expectations for our country’s future leaders. Maybe we’re not headed toward failure. Don’t worry. If this is the future of America, we’ll continue to lower our standards until the ineptitude and laziness that pervades our academic institutions is commonplace. We’ll all feel right at home.

James Hopkins
Senior, sociology and Spanish

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