This generation of 18 to 24-year-olds is sadly disappointing.
We live in a world where many students have the privilege of being able to attend a college or university, a privilege that many people in the past did not get to benefit from. However, it is becoming more and more common for students to get angry when a class isn’t canceled or when they are expected to take an exam the Friday before a holiday weekend.
Years ago, a student would be able to attend a college or university only if their family was financially able to send them. Those who were fortunate enough to go took advantage of every lecture they could attend. Now, with more opportunities to achieve a higher education, college is beginning to be seen as a right instead of a privilege, and as a result, students are losing sight of why they really came here.
Most high school seniors will say that they are most excited to go to college for the freedom to do “whatever they want.” Many times this is true. They have the freedom to do whatever they please without an adult nagging in their ear to go to school or do their homework or their chores. However, this new school of thought is also changing this generation’s decision making.
When a 34-year-old adult was asked, “how do you make decisions?” the response was “I look at the long-term effects. I may make a short-term sacrifice to make a long term gain.” However, when a 21-year-old was asked the same question, the response was quite different. “It’s all about me. I just do what I want to do, when I want to do it.”
The difference in the answers from a 34-year-old and a 21-year-old shows so much about college students today versus those who attended 15 or more years ago. This also may explain some of the insane behaviors happening across college campuses.
A typical weekend on any given college campus in the United States consists of a relatively high amount of alcohol consumption, drug use and casual sex. Although this is not “normal” for every college student, it is for many. Because of the new freedom in college and this generation’s apparent need to behave outrageously, this is very much affecting the social aspects of college and drastically changing “norms.”
The new norm for students is becoming skipping up to three or more classes a week, being 20 minutes late to class and complaining about doing more than the bare minimum. In the past, college was taken seriously. Hard work was needed and doing one’s best was a principal concept. For many students today, it is about being in the average, the middle, and never doing more than necessary.
In addition to students losing respect for their academics, they are arguably losing respect for people in general. Why bother talking to someone if it doesn’t benefit me? Why bother doing practice homework problems? Why bother doing the right thing when it’s easier to do nothing?
This is becoming the way this generation is making their decisions. As a result, people are becoming lazy and caring less about relationships with friends, family and even lovers. In a world where casual communication between one another is so simple and quick with texting, Facebook Messenger and so many other platforms, some people don’t bother responding to text messages or missed calls.
The laziness and lack of respect this generation has for others is appalling, and it shows the ways students today do not care about their classes, their friends, maintaining relationships or doing what they know is right when it comes to making the right choices.
Email Cardinal Points at cp@cardinalpointsonline.com.
