Throw Some ‘A’s On That
I read an interesting article from True/Slant on Monday. The article claims that Gen Y is the most stressed generation ever, with high expectations and dreams of owning it all (h/t Lauren Fernandez for sharing). I recommend reading it, but if you want the CliffNotes version, here it is: Gen Y is tweaking more than anyone else in history. Ever. Well, they probably didn’t include cavemen. I guess they would be a close second. You would fret too if T-Rex lived in your backyard.
Anyways, on to the point: the article says we’re stressed to the max. If generations were bagels, Gen Y would be the everything bagel. The article labels us as, to name a few: stressed, entitled, narcissistic, materialistic, miserable, assertive, confident, greedy, self-indulgent. Is your head spinning yet? Talk about a tough blow. I feel like Zach Galifianakis after being laid out by Tyson.
The part that got to me though, especially as I start a new semester, is the following quote from psychology professor Jean Twenge:
“A recent study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence … found that two-thirds of college students believed their professors should raise their grades if the student simply explained that he or she was trying hard. One-third believed that if they attended most of the classes for a course, they deserved at least a B in the class. Almost a third thought they should be able to schedule the final exam around their vacation.”
Now originally, this post was going to be about the failure that is the American education system. But that’s like playing a 98° CD at your party- it used to be cool, but quit already. Not long after, I read this article and had the proverbial light bulb: what if it isn’t the system (well, as much as we think it is), but it is the students?
I acknowledge that I don’t like the way the American education system is organized. In fact, I hate it. This may be because I’m cynical, or because I’m one of those touchy-feely learners with ADHD whom most of my teachers despised, or maybe, MAYBE, it’s because I feel entitled. I mean, I’m part of Gen-Y so that comes naturally, right?
Does Gen-Y feel entitled to an education? We got a trophy for just showing up for basketball games, even if we sucked, so why shouldn’t we get an A for just showing up for class? It never mattered if you tripped over every damned hurdle on that track, but you tried hard, so you got your medal. That Social Research class should work the same way, right? I showed up, I should get an A! Is the education system failing us, or are we failing the education system?
Yes, I know the introduction to this post is historically inaccurate. Put the encyclopedias down. Props to Flickr user Terren from Virginia on the shiny picture of swimming trophies.
