Does anyone else think is becoming harder to be a student these days?

Question

I have a friend that is a programming major, and the funny thing is these classes make him buy 400+ dollar software along with tuition and books just to actually take the class, the student discounts are crap (seriously how many college students live off a min wage job, 200 dollars is a lot of money to someone who earns min wage).

Whats funny is that he has to end up "using less legal means" to get the software he needs for class, which he doesn't even use unless its for the class, and ends up uninstalling it after the semester is over. Hes even go so far as to attempt to petition the dean of the computer science division to use open source software, but sadly it would cut funding and the college would have to lay off teachers and facility.

Anyway, does anyone else think its becoming harder to be a student these days?

Answer 1

I am actually not sure if the answer is yes or no. Actually it is both. I think there are so many problems with higher education in general that it has become monumental and where do you start dealing with all the problems.

You brought up one very strong argument which is the increasing cost of higher education. Yes, it has gone out the roof, yet very little of your tuition is actually being used for student related expenditures. For example at the college I work at, Technology Fees for new computers and software are being shifted into the general fund to pay for older, outstanding bill rather than updating equipment and programs. This problem is not unique to my college. In some form or another, college are facing huge financial problems and many of the smaller colleges are facing bankruptcy and closure.

Add to this problem that more and more students are attending college than ever before. When I was in college in the 1970, not everyone went to college. And there were systems in place to fail out a certain percentage of students each year who were either not ready for college or who were not serious about being there. Today, we are taking everyone who can pay tuition which is putting a stress on human and physical resources. Because of growth, more building are being built which means more mortgages and more demands on trustees and board member to find money. And that cycle just continues to go back and forth until they are over extended financially.

As a college professor, I can turn the question around to give you a different answer. Personally, I do know that it is increasingly difficult to teach your generation. I have to commend your friends because from what I am reading in your question, they actually are trying very hard. For those students who are trying very hard, it is very difficult for them. That is true. But so many students do not buy books, they don't read, they only want to play video games and text message and spend time on facebook and myspace. Socially they are disasters, more like hermits living in their rooms complaining about how they are not being entertained. This is the generation where if it is not fun, why do it. They can work in groups somehow, yet when placed in groups, they are lemmings with few able to lead the group. My experiences with Gen Y students is that many are not in college to learn but to get the grade by ANY means, including cheating and plagiarisms. I actually failed a quarter of my students in one class for plagiarizing papers. Students understand that in order to get the right job in a shrinking job market, they need to get the right grade.

In your defense, Gen Y is technologically superior to many of their professor. The tenure system which has been outmoded for years, still allows a professor to rest on his laurels and not continue to grow academically. I know older professor who don't even know how to read their emails, still. That is inexcusable. Add to this problem that even those that are technologically advances are not doing everything that they can to reach student through technology. In a recent presentation at my school, I asked a small number of students who attended how many had actually text messaged anyone during class. All but a couple students raised their hands. When I asked the professors in attendance, now many used text messaging in any form in their curriculum, most looked at me like I was crazy. At a conference I attended where a professor at a state college was talking about his college using blogging. When I asked about Myspace as a better alternative, you would have thought I had called on Satan himself. Please!

In an editorial in USA Today, which I read a while back, (sorry I do not have the link for it) where these same issues were being addressed when the Democrats took over Congress, the columnist stated that both the high cost of education and a system of education that is outdated as the major problems facing. Add to this an overextended system and I think you have the problems that students are facing that are making it harder for them.

I have to correct something in your question, with due respect. You stated that your friend "even go so far as to attempt to petition the dean of the computer science division to use open source software, but sadly it would cut funding and the college would have to lay off teachers and facility." Either your friend made a mistake or you misunderstood him, or the dean is giving him a lot a manure. Most open source software is license free and many college are using open source software as an alternative to more pricey name brand software. Open Source software is license free to allow for other programmers to improve the software and adapt it to their needs. Just to clarify things for you.

Answer 2

In some ways yes, other ways no. Your friend has to pay extra cash for software, but think of the massive fees med students need to pay (dentistry for one is super pricey). It's all relative. Some classes I have to spend a heck of a lot more money on books we use once than other classes where I can get cheap books we use all year. It sorta works itself out. These days fees are higher than ever, but wages are up too. It's always been expensive, and students have always had something to complain about. School is more lax these days, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. Seems like our generation is the lazy one. We definitely know less about hard work than we should. On the bright side we get technology, right? In the end we should just be glad to be in school I guess. Many things tick me off about the costs involved but there isn't too much I can do unfortunately.

Answer 3

Since there are many more college students than there once were, yes, I believe it is harder now. Much more competition for aid and scholarships. Many students are forced to work. It used to be that having a college degree of any sort put you WAY above the pack. Now, its not always the case. Here in Austin, we have 34% of people with bachlor's degrees or higher. So you basically need one to compete.

Colleges used to be more strict - my grandparents had curfews and such in their dorms, and other types of restrictions to promote good academics. Now its much more on the individual. It's a lot harder to graduate in 4 years now. Hardly anyone I know has done so without doing summer courses or very heavy loads. So, yes, being a student is hard and getting harder.

Answer 4

Haha yah. My dad didn't plan on going to college after highschool so he wasn't very academically driven. He worked in a factory for a few years and then on a whim decided to apply to Berkeley and got in as an engineering major. Nowadays you plan your whole life for Berkeley and you still dont get in. (I'll find out tomorrow, just being very optimistic)

Answer 5

you bet! studying was always hard for me, plus those teachers who make their students do a lot of stuff add to my daily burdens and make studying harder for me.

Answer 6

yes! definetly!

im only in highschool but yeah it really is harder now a days!

there are so many recquirements to grauate!!!

Answer 7

yes, but only for the white students....