I've been a student for almost 16 years and counting. I am 22, so do the math. Never have I dropped out or taken time off, and at this point it would be a waste of the 16 years of my life spent learning and growing as a member of the community.
I went to public school, and have had a decent upbringing.
That being said, I have probably wanted to drop out about 5 times. It is a natural feeling, especially when given the opportunity to make "real" money, or if this so called real life experience gets in the way. At this point, however, it is not about the money I may make, or about the degree(s) I may hold. It is about accountability. I have accountability for my parents, who raised me to succeed, to my college, for imparting vast amounts of knowledge and know-how, and to myself, because I owe it to me to do what I feel is right.
This feeling, in my opinion, cannot be taught in school or read about on the Internet. The only solution is to find the drive within oneself to achieve a goal, no matter how BORING it may be.
I feel that the administration has an obligation to students to make higher-ed interesting, and more importantly, relevant to our near futures as possible. They have no obligation, however, to babysit us and hold our hands through the process. I feel like the larger percentage of the blame does belong to someone. My peers, the students. And possibly their parents to some degree as well. I could probably rant about this all day, but I have to study for an exam I don't want to take (but realize I have to).
Once in, staying in tough
First of all, good article.
I've been a student for almost 16 years and counting. I am 22, so do the math. Never have I dropped out or taken time off, and at this point it would be a waste of the 16 years of my life spent learning and growing as a member of the community.
I went to public school, and have had a decent upbringing.
That being said, I have probably wanted to drop out about 5 times. It is a natural feeling, especially when given the opportunity to make "real" money, or if this so called real life experience gets in the way. At this point, however, it is not about the money I may make, or about the degree(s) I may hold. It is about accountability. I have accountability for my parents, who raised me to succeed, to my college, for imparting vast amounts of knowledge and know-how, and to myself, because I owe it to me to do what I feel is right.
This feeling, in my opinion, cannot be taught in school or read about on the Internet. The only solution is to find the drive within oneself to achieve a goal, no matter how BORING it may be.
I feel that the administration has an obligation to students to make higher-ed interesting, and more importantly, relevant to our near futures as possible. They have no obligation, however, to babysit us and hold our hands through the process. I feel like the larger percentage of the blame does belong to someone. My peers, the students. And possibly their parents to some degree as well. I could probably rant about this all day, but I have to study for an exam I don't want to take (but realize I have to).