So this week marked two important time periods in the lives of students across the country. First, it's the end of the semester for college students. Final exams are wrapping up and students are heading back home to their sponsors..oops..parents. Second, it was progress report (and parent-teacher conference) time for many K-12 students.
I've been fortunate enough to get my feet wet in K-12 education this year, in addition to my duties as a college professor. One of the things that always bothers me about this time of year on the collegiate level is the number of negotiators. Those are the students who didn't do what they were supposed to do throughout the year and now, because they need to pass the class to graduate, maintain a scholarship, or stay out of trouble at home, want you to provide them some "extra credit" to help boost their grade to an acceptable level. I personally loathe this time, as do a lot of colleagues I've spoken to. Instead of being accountable, students think that their under-developed negotiation skills are enough to influence a professor to take pity on them and give them a grade they didn't earn. It's even somewhat amusing at times (stay tuned, that's another forthcoming book).
The problem is there is always an excuse. An excuse about why they didn't come to class all semester (except the first week), why they never turned in a homework assignment (but deserve an 'A' cause they REALLY know the material..seriously..), and why you should understand that they have other things to do than just work for your class (like hang on the yard, go to parties, talk on the phone, and tweet and Facebook their friends..seriously, this class is a disruption to the bare necessities).
The one thing I love about college life is the FERPA. I don't have to interact with parent unless explicitly given approval by the student. So usually, I don't interact with parents. However, now that I'm experiencing a taste of K-12 education, I realize where the excuses originate..the parents. See, the kids usually don't have a lot of excuses about why they didn't turn in an assignment. I tell my middle-schoolers just like I tell my undergraduates, "if it's late, it's a 0, plain and simple. You have rules and you must follow them." Usually, the students will abide by this. They don't have homeworks and, when asked why, they simply respond "I just don't" or "I didn't do it." But my recent encounters during parent-teacher night have convinced me that there is a large subset of parents of this new "Generation Lost" that are making excuses for their children before the kids can even spell the word.
Let me share some of the responses/excuses I've received from parents:
1. You are NOT teaching college students. These are 7th graders. (My response: Ma'am, turning your assignments in on time is what you are taught in Kindergarten...it's called accountability).
2. My child was WELL aware of your deadline of 12pm today and has been working on the assignment since it was assigned. However, he was in an open house all day today and forgot to submit his homework. Can you please provide a 24 hour extension? (My response: The assignment was extended last week to this week, making a total of 2 weeks to submit...No)
3. Can my child make up the past due assignments or do extra credit to boost his grade? I'm just now able to view his grades online and am trying to stay on him. (My response: No, students have been aware from the beginning that I accept no late assignments. Your child must follow the same rules every other student does)
4. Student: I turned in my homework, I DIIDDDDD. Parent: Well, if she said she turned it in I believe her. I used to believe the teachers first but I've learned if she said she did it she is telling the truth. (My response: You mean like she was telling the truth that she turned in the homework that she just dug out of her bookbag that was never submitted???)
It doesn't take a genius to notice the running theme here. Parents are creating the monsters that K-16 educators have to deal with, a generation of students who not only don't do the work, but make an excuse about WHY they didn't do it and then EXPECT educators to provide them with a grade they didn't deserve. Parents, stop making excuses for why your child can't or won't do something. You are handicapping your kids before they even have an opportunity..more importantly, you're pissing off a world of educators in the process. We can only do our job when in the classroom. It's your responsibility to do your job at home.
See, these kids grow up into young adults who now make excuses for themselves, because they've been taught they don't have to earn anything. They can negotiate. When this doesn't work, they've been taught to complain and attack anyone who holds them accountable. These same young adults turn into employees who maybe can con their way into a career but won't be able to stay long because there is always an excuse about why they didn't get something done, why something went wrong, or why they juuuuuuust can seem to accomplish a task that a freshman in college should be able to complete. Again, it turns to finger-pointing and attacking..
So parents, do us all a favor and start teaching your child to be accountable for his/her actions both in and outside of the classroom. My dad is a retired public school educator and administrator. The BEST quote I've heard was from him this morning. "Don't making excuses for your kids. They already make enough for themselves."
And there you have it. Want to know more, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and my website!
Until next time!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
What Every College Student Should Do Over the Holiday Break
The holiday break is upon us! The hallways at work are becoming a ghost town, as students complete final exams and pack up for the month-long holiday break.
For most of you, this is a great time to relax, detox, and enjoy family and friends. However, I've seen one too many student return in January and you would think they never passed a course or worse, never took one. To circumvent this all too annoying amnesia that falls upon so many college students, there are a few things that EVERY student should do over the holiday break to help prepare them for the next semester and for the rest of their college experience:
1. Review material from any courses you completed this semester. The Internet, more importantly Google, Wolfram Alpha, and the likes have completely dumbed down our society and students. Too often, students try to remember just enough information to get through the class. Once the semester is over, they toss it in the garbage can, never to be used again...so they think. The problem is, the course you enrolled in for the spring semester (and subsequent years) is building upon that course that you just barely passed because you really didn't understand the material. And here is another news flash, you actually need to UNDERSTAND the material in your classes. Review any concepts that were difficult, find additional information that will help reinforce your learning. You WILL see the material again..trust me.
2. Get caught up on current events. This will help you identify a number of things of importance to you, including student loan regulations, healthcare extensions for dependents up to age 25, job outlooks, and more. In addition, a potential employer or graduate school could ask you a question about current events. You don't want to become a deer in headlights. More importantly, you want to be a well-rounded individual who has more to talk about than last night's episode of "X Factor."
3. Update your resume. Your resume is a working document. It should be continuously updated with new awards, scholarships, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, and relevant courses each semester. Keep this current. You never know when you will have to submit it for an internship or job opportunity.
4. Review your plan of study. There is nothing worse than a senior in a professor's office 2 weeks before graduation crying because he/she didn't complete all the necessary courses or receive the appropriate grades to graduate. If you are consistently reviewing this each semester, then there are no surprises at the end. In addition, you can update your registration for the spring semester, to retake any courses or ensure you are on track to graduate on time.
5. Search for financial aid. Unless you have a 0 balance (meaning no student loans), you should apply for scholarships and grants to help towards your college expenses. Just because you took out student loans doesn't mean you can't apply for scholarships and grants. Apply, apply, APPLY. And ask professors BEFORE you leave for the break to write recommendations. We disappear just like you do (usually).
You may think this is a lot but, trust me..it's not..my Christmas break will be spent getting caught up on work. Somehow it's the only time I can actually stay head down enough to get work done. You have MORE than enough time to dedicate a few hours a day to these activities and still completely enjoy your time off. And remember, you want to always be a step ahead of the rest. The only way to do that is to always stay prepared. Remember, if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready...
Looking for more info? Check me out at Prepped for Success!
For most of you, this is a great time to relax, detox, and enjoy family and friends. However, I've seen one too many student return in January and you would think they never passed a course or worse, never took one. To circumvent this all too annoying amnesia that falls upon so many college students, there are a few things that EVERY student should do over the holiday break to help prepare them for the next semester and for the rest of their college experience:
1. Review material from any courses you completed this semester. The Internet, more importantly Google, Wolfram Alpha, and the likes have completely dumbed down our society and students. Too often, students try to remember just enough information to get through the class. Once the semester is over, they toss it in the garbage can, never to be used again...so they think. The problem is, the course you enrolled in for the spring semester (and subsequent years) is building upon that course that you just barely passed because you really didn't understand the material. And here is another news flash, you actually need to UNDERSTAND the material in your classes. Review any concepts that were difficult, find additional information that will help reinforce your learning. You WILL see the material again..trust me.
2. Get caught up on current events. This will help you identify a number of things of importance to you, including student loan regulations, healthcare extensions for dependents up to age 25, job outlooks, and more. In addition, a potential employer or graduate school could ask you a question about current events. You don't want to become a deer in headlights. More importantly, you want to be a well-rounded individual who has more to talk about than last night's episode of "X Factor."
3. Update your resume. Your resume is a working document. It should be continuously updated with new awards, scholarships, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, and relevant courses each semester. Keep this current. You never know when you will have to submit it for an internship or job opportunity.
4. Review your plan of study. There is nothing worse than a senior in a professor's office 2 weeks before graduation crying because he/she didn't complete all the necessary courses or receive the appropriate grades to graduate. If you are consistently reviewing this each semester, then there are no surprises at the end. In addition, you can update your registration for the spring semester, to retake any courses or ensure you are on track to graduate on time.
5. Search for financial aid. Unless you have a 0 balance (meaning no student loans), you should apply for scholarships and grants to help towards your college expenses. Just because you took out student loans doesn't mean you can't apply for scholarships and grants. Apply, apply, APPLY. And ask professors BEFORE you leave for the break to write recommendations. We disappear just like you do (usually).
You may think this is a lot but, trust me..it's not..my Christmas break will be spent getting caught up on work. Somehow it's the only time I can actually stay head down enough to get work done. You have MORE than enough time to dedicate a few hours a day to these activities and still completely enjoy your time off. And remember, you want to always be a step ahead of the rest. The only way to do that is to always stay prepared. Remember, if you stay ready, you won't have to get ready...
Looking for more info? Check me out at Prepped for Success!
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