In ‘Message to My Freshman student’s’ Keith Parsons discusses predominately the negatives of his freshmen students, often poking at the cultural defenses between Professor and student to emphasize the change needed in student mind-set. According to Parsons, many of his students failed to attend class and when present were unable to use their time efficiently. Instead students saw lecture times as social hours, incapable of using allocated time for its true purpose; learning. Parsons found himself often having to remind students that under no obligation were they required to attend his class and was sure the highlight the so-very-great differences between high school and university responsibilities. University is used for personal growth, no one is babied, and students are in it alone. In order for students to gain their full potential they need to listen, and listen ‘critically’. He explains the teaching methods used in high school aren’t effective enough to use in Higher education as it encourages memory based practices instead of in-depth thinking. Parsons finishes his article by shining light on the hitches students go through when understanding academic values and beliefs, freshmen disregard the academic view point of their professors. University gives opportunity to indeed listen to advice and see eye to eye with those who have had experience in the education sector for extended periods of time. He believes that by listening and practicing young adults can indeed strengthen themselves mentally.
From my experience Parsons does hold a valid point. Students primarily aren’t aware of the value and culture of education. They remain unprepared for test, cramming days before reminded and hold their own personal discussions during class time. As a freshman I’ve had first-hand experience of being in the presence of other students who miss class, text throughout lessons and intentionally distract others, I have even seen one of my colleagues attended class for five minutes and walk out. Majority of freshmen students are aware of the ‘no consequence’ lifestyle of university “They will not be sent to detention if they leave, if they are not interested” so they think of themselves as adults, who ironically act like kids, remaining oblivious to their time being put to waste.
Parsons also admits that “learning is your job—and yours alone” ”I have no obligation whatsoever to make sure that you pass or make any particular grade at all”. Freshman students appear to have some sort of ideology that teachers are going to break down everything, every day, and tutor individual students one to one. Of course tutoring is available but a lot of university learning is done individually, you have to be present in class to receive the information. It’s up to the student to make use of it, process what they’ve learnt, participate in class and challenge themselves with their own thoughts. ”You need to learn to listen” That’s the exciting part that students miss out on, they disregard the teacher’s presence. If a teacher is not questioned they can safely assume all students understand what’s being taught. Unfortunately there are students that neglect the lesson so much so that they forget crucial pieces of the information taught, homework, books, to read and eventually start falling behind academically in the first year!
I would personally like to hope I’m not one of the students Parsons focuses on. Having lived in Britain all my life and attended several Convent ran schools, the importance of education has constantly been rammed down my throat so to speak. I’m one of the few that still believes in the “traditional view of Universities” and wouldn’t dare be absent in a lesson due to social conflict. My mother being a teacher in her prime, and having a strict mother herself also played part in my ‘ studios’ mind-set. I was lead to believe that if I didn’t study and do well in school, I would become a waste of space or even better a rubbish man; picking up the litter of others, never being able to comfortably support my family. I attend class, listen, make notes/or think about what’s being taught, do my homework and am able understand when doing so. Why? Because I simply show up and pay attention. With my new knowledge I can complete my assignments to the best of my ability and that is all that is required of me. This knowledge is being handed to every single individual, it’s not a lucky dip scenario. University provides the opportunity for every student to learn about what they love and possibly in the future, create concepts that haven’t already been manifested. So why not grasp that opportunity? Why not “make your world richer and yourself stronger”?
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