<p>I hate to be mean, but most of the students I encounter do not have the critical thinking mind that is necessary for academia. When I listen to kids struggle to answer very simple questions, it makes me cringe. It appears that the integrity of the system is at severe risk of losing credibility. </p>
<p>It really makes me angry, because it means that the value of my bachelors degree is quickly becoming marginalized. </p>
<p>Does anyone else hold the same sentiment?</p>
<p>I can see what you are saying… Many college students lack the intellectual curiosity that their forerunners once had. But, that is the result of increased enrollment in most of this country’s universities and colleges. </p>
<p>But, then again, college students are still kids, for the most part. I doubt they would be speaking like student-philosophers from Plato’s Academy.</p>
<p>So you’re saying that people that are unintelligent/uneducated shouldn’t receive an education? What a sensible and logical plan. Thankfully, we’ll still have an elite few who are suited for academia, like you, to someday run the world and control the mindless proletariat.</p>
<p>P.S. The “value” of your Bachelor’s should come from what you learn, which has nothing to do with anyone but you.</p>
<p>I would go a step further to say 100% of people do not belong in college. It is a completely **** system. Basically the marketing departments for most colleges churn out ******** and make it seem like college is such a great place. Most times, the reality is totally different and there is a lot of ******** involved.</p>
<p>Well, I can kinda agree to an extent. While it’s good to try different things to figure out who you are, in my opinion it’s pointless to spend thousands- or tens of thousands- of dollars when you’re not even sure of what you want to do with your life. A lot of students don’t know this, and it’s bad enough when you’re a freshmen but when you’re a junior and thinking of getting ready for graduation…yeah, not a good position to be in. </p>
<p>This isn’t really a bad thing- I mean, we’re all so young, how are we supposed to know exactly what we want to do with the next 40 years or so of our lives when all we’ve ever done is go through the torture of high school? But college just costs SO much, and I think too many students don’t take taking on that kind of debt seriously enough.</p>
<p>Oh, and you really can’t take answering questions in class too seriously. Some people don’t pay attention, or they’re half asleep, or they get really nervous when the attention is on them, and most of the time people (including me) have the tendency to say really stupid things. But sometimes there really is just no excuse- I’ve heard some scary, scary questions asked by other students.</p>
<p>It’s just a shift in the education system.
Before you could get by on a high school diploma. Now you need college to have a chance at getting most jobs. It’s not the edge it used to be, it’s the norm.
Graduate school (or med or law school) is quickly becoming the place to go if you’re serious about learning or want to get that competitive edge in the job market.
It’s not necessarily think it’s something that’s good or bad, but it is what it is.</p>
<p>Wait, wait. Haven’t you been in school like a total of 3 weeks or something?</p>
<p>Agreed. Part of the problem is that it is difficult to teach someone how to see an issue from another perspective, or how to think critically. I think the issue is that young people are stubborn, and are 100% convinced that their view isn’t the best, but the right one. As people mature, I think, for the most part (yes, there are exceptions as I’m sure people will be happy to cite), they gain tolerance as they mature. Some gain understanding- the ability to put yourself in someone elses shoes- others are as ignorant and stubborn as a college aged kid. The ignorance thing is never going away, just look at how the media operates.</p>
<p>I think some of the issue is what is taught in schools. I think there needs to be more focus on natural philosophy.</p>
<p>I would agree that there is a surprisingly small number of people interested in learning. A lot of people are there for a degree. When there are interesting speakers and events, people don’t go. Few people even bother to watch the news, read the paper or read books outside of class. I can see if your views are based on the idea that fewer people are self motivated to broaden their understanding of the world. Very few of my other friends read for pleasure. Yes, school, clubs, work, entertainment, social life and everything takes up time, but I’ve always been able to take the time to watch/read the news and read books. Sadly, I can not take all of the classes that interest me, so I read on my own time. It’s surprising to see how many people limit themselves in the academic environment. College is an incredible opportunity to really gain a better perspective on life and learn, and not many people take advantage of it.</p>
<p>Regardless, there are plenty of ignorant people out there, and a lot of them happen to be young.</p>
<p>“It really makes me angry, because it means that the value of my bachelors degree is quickly becoming marginalized.”</p>
<p>75% of people shouldn’t be in college because it’ll make you 4 times as special?</p>
<p>Good argument.</p>
<p>I LOVE the irony of how the op couldn’t use proper grammar in the title.</p>
<p>Quite hilarious.</p>
<p>That being said, a lot of people go to college that probably shouldn’t.
However, as an engineering major, my degree is training me for something very specific, so your argument is in the toilet for anything other than liberal arts majors.</p>
<p>Yeah, due to my outstanding ignorance of basic syntax, I completely utilized the wrong form of a noun…</p>
<p>/sarcasm off</p>
<p>And yes, my experience in the academic world has been brief; however, it doesn’t take long to recognize the incredible disparity between those who are capable, and those who are not.</p>
<p>^No. It’s been too brief. For one, some of those people will realize college is not for them and they will drop out. For two, many people are still adjusting to the new year and (since you’re a freshmen and more than likely in many freshmen classes) they are brand new to this experience. For three, if you hate it- drop out and go somewhere you like. </p>
<p>Sorry, I find it hard to believe anything you claim for a number of reasons. But that’s for another time.</p>
<p>Get over yourself please. Not every one has an icecicle up their bum.</p>
<p>you my friend is an idiot what do you think college is for?</p>
<p>halifaxx and UOM- you are right; a more efficient educational system can be set up than this bloated turd. This system cannot maintain its own standards because of the perverse incentive to get more warm bodies onto the campuses.</p>
<p>Lew Rockwell did an interesting podcast with Gary North, whose articles I also recommend, on this matter: [162</a>. Overthrow the Universities (and the Public Schools, too)](<a href=“http://www.lewrockwell.com/lewrockwell-show/2010/09/14/162-overthrow-the-universities-and-the-public-schools-too/]162”>http://www.lewrockwell.com/lewrockwell-show/2010/09/14/162-overthrow-the-universities-and-the-public-schools-too/)</p>
<p>I hate it how when I’m practicing my instrument or practicing a sport some ignorant people say “you fail”. They never notice that I’m PRACTICING.</p>
<p>Same could be said about LEARNING.</p>
<p>I’m not hating on the OP’s opinions. Maybe some people deserve a chance.</p>
<p>I think what the OP doesn’t really understand is that many kids in college are just bored and want to do something fun.</p>
<p>People could do much better academically but living this kind of lifestyle can be very boring.</p>
<p>I don’t blame the kids who cannot “answer the simple questions” or whatever. Instead of studying and conforming to the boring system they might actually do things that are fun.</p>
<p>I had similar observations when I first started college (In which all I did was study).</p>
<p>I note that I am one of the boring people and that my post is sheer observation.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t have to worry about the value of your degree being marginalized- If you want to stick out you can graduate with academic honors, internships, study abroad, and such. Or you can go to graduate school.</p>