Journal #9
My choice. How nice.
In Mark Edmunsen’s essay we read about how he found that we (the students) having a lack for passion of learning discourageable. He says it is not all our fault, but that it is not all of anyone else’s either. I have noticed the same trend among my fellow students and have come to ponder on the “why” of our unenthusiastic response to education. Is it that we take what we have taken for granted schooling because it is always available to us? Or do we still feel that since “mom and dad say I have to” we do it but do not desire to? Maybe it is just plain and simple that no one has ever really thirsted for knowledge save a select few who have stuck out so much to teachers that they lament over all the others.
As Americans we have many more opportunities than those in third world countries. In fact, we have more choices than almost any other nation! So with all of the advances, expected comforts, and high self-interest are we just taking all of it for granted? I know I have been blinded so very often in the ways of life by how much I have. I see no poor because I am not. I see no war, just hear about it. I do not know a need for my education because I have never had a lack.
Mom and Dad are the proverbial “slave drivers” in the minds of many children. At this age we want to do things on our own. We do not want to be told how, when, where, why, or anything else because we are adults and we know everything. That came off very sarcastic, probably because it was. Who has never thought, when hearing advice from parents, “Yeah right, I knew that” or “Whatever, you are wrong and I am right.” In more or less dialogue I have felt and said this a few times to tell the truth! The point with this is that gobs of students go to school because they are “supposed to.” It is expected of them and mom and dad just paid a whole heap of money so you better go and make them proud. Who can get a positive feeling from that? “We spent money on you and raised you, you owe us big time now go and get a degree!” That may not be the mind frame of all parents, but for many it is the case.
When I say “no one has ever really thirsted for knowledge save a select few” I do not mean no one has ever wanted to learn. But a passion that Edmunsen is talking about is very hard to come by, and I believe always has been. In this day and age we are taught that it is “OK” to fail. It is “fine” to take the easy road, the short cut, and the fast lane to get what you want faster than ever before. Education is getting shoved into the category of fast food, television, and entertainment. Meaning it has a menu to choose from and the customer is always right. Children are being told “no” less often by teachers. This makes it so we never have to work that hard to get what we want. The fact school is in the genre of “i’ll have a high school diploma and graduate with a c average… no hold the extra-curricular. Oh yeah and get that teacher fired because he told me I was wrong.” We have been catered to ever since we were young and it shows. We students tend to be self absorbed “gimme gimme” five year olds!
If you have not noticed, I just discussed my opinions. There are other sides to this and not all students are lazy as well as not all schools cater. But when you see the dreary eyed students scraping by on C averages and saying “woe is me” you cannot help but yell “It is your own fault!” We have had outlying situations, but it is how we react to those situations that will develop who we really are and how we act. So, in short, there are problems with the school system, nothing is perfect. We live in a cushy society and have almost everything we need. But should we let those things, since we are fully aware of them, make us benign, lazy, and lackadaisical? No! Stand up for your true potential and get your butt into high gear! If you do not want to be at school then find another way to make the money you need to survive! Understand that it is not a grade and paper you get out of college, it is knowledge and growth, the rest is just the fruits of what you have truly learned.
