When I heard that Malia Obama was planning to take a gap year before she went to college, I thought, More Millennials should be like her.
I've taught college students for a long time now. Unfortunately, some of them are not ready for college. To high school graduates, here are some signs that you're not ready for college yet:
1. You think that punctuality and attendance should be optional.
2. You spend more time staring at your cell phone than at your textbooks.
3. You keep your headphones on during class and then, when your teacher tells you to take them out, you say, "Why? Is the volume bothering anyone?"
4. You let your parents complain to your teacher about your grades or about the fact that you were penalized for breaking one (or more) of your teacher's rules.
5. You snore in class on a regular basis.
6. You say, "Hemingway/Shakespeare/Austen is so boring," after spending two hours "liking" posts and Tweets that say stuff like "Party like it's Friday" or "I love [insert pop icon's name here]!".
7. You think you're entitled to an A just because you showed up to class, which is the bare minimum.
8. You think it's okay to be absent for several weeks and then get upset when your teacher lowers your grade.
9. You spend the whole class time talking to your friends and then complain that you don't understand the material.
10. You say, "My printer/computer/roommate ate my homework," multiple times.
When students go to college before they're ready, they're more likely to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unhappy. They struggle in their classes, and it's difficult for them to understand that their professors can't (and won't) help them with every single thing. Several of them get low grades, get suspended, or drop out of school altogether.
That's why I think some (though not all) students should take a gap year first. I don't think they should travel through Europe and expect their parents to pay for everything. They shouldn't sleep till noon all day and party all night.
Instead, they should get jobs, which may help them realize how important it is to work hard and continue their education. They should do volunteer work, so that they'll understand how important it is to help people. They should do research on the kinds of careers that they want to pursue, so that they won't graduate without any idea of what to do with their degree. They should take a couple classes at community colleges, in order to see what college life (and professors' expectations) is like before they commit to it full-time.
I think if they did that, they would be more likely to do well in college. Then professors like me would be less likely to end every workday by putting our hands to our faces and screaming like Macaulay Culkin did in Home Alone.
What about you? Did you take a gap year before you went to college? If you didn't, what would you have done if you had taken a gap year?
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3 days ago
I never went to college, though I wanted to, but I think I would've taken a gap year. After high school, I would've need time to stretch my legs, feel like an adult, work, and gain experience before plunging into the 4+ years of college.
ReplyDeleteHi Chrys,
DeleteI especially like what you wrote about being an adult. A lot of college students claim that they're adults, but they still have a lot of growing up to do. I know I did when I was their age.
So, um, this is when I know I'm doing it right. My 15 year old is a Sophomore at college and he's got his career path, has held down a full-time job, and regularly does community service. Maybe he doesn't play as many sports or compete in music, but he's being prepared to be a contributing member of society and a future father. The younger ones will follow in his footsteps.
ReplyDeleteI took a gap summer, if that counts, and have gone back to school many times. I'm of the opinion that learning should be a life-long pursuit, but a degree is definitely just to get in the door for a job.
Hi Crystal,
DeleteI wish that all students had your attitude about learning. Unfortunately, too many care more about A's than about what they learned.
It's good that you raised your son right. More parents should raise their kids the way you raised yours. If they did, I wouldn't get any more e-mails from other parents who blame me for the fact that their kids earned low grades.
Yes, I agree! The gap year HAS to be spent working in some capacity. Then they'll get the maturity they need to actually finish college.
ReplyDeleteHi Charly,
DeleteI've heard of some students who took gap years and spent the whole time watching TV and playing video games. They would have gotten a lot more out of their gap year if they had worked instead.
BTW, I think I mentioned this before, but I'm sorry I haven't left any comments on your blog. It's because it requires me to include my real name; I tried putting my blog name, which is why I accidentally ended up e-mailing several people with my blog username.
I wish I had taken a gap year. I could've gotten a job or, just goofed off while figuring out what I really should be doing for a living. But I at least have a degree now, even if I can't really use it :) Being a writer was definitely not on my short-list of possible jobs. I am glad I became a writer though. It's the first job I've had that I really love. Sorry your students are so mean. I would probably fail most of them for simply taking my class at all. Yeah, I'm mean, sorry;) Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Murees,
DeleteI wanted to be a writer, but I didn't put it on my list of jobs either; even back then, I knew I would have to have a day job. I thought teaching could be my day job, not realizing how time-consuming it is.
I didn't take a gap year; I doubt my parents would have let me. It wasn't until after I started college that I realized it wasn't mandatory; my parents always insisted that it was the only option, so I wasn't aware of other options.
Oh my goodness - you would not believe how timely this post is for me. My son just graduated high school. We were all set with a plan to do 2 years at community college then on to Columbia College (Chicago) and NOW he's pulling the "I don't need college" thing. I'm not okay with him thinking he'll never go, but I'm becoming more okay with him taking a year off to work and pursue his voice acting dreams. Because like you say, I'm afraid if I push him all-in to college, he'll end up dropping out and never going back. I like your suggestion of taking at least a couple of classes at community college while pursuing other things. That could be just what I need to get his father to buy into this plan...
ReplyDeleteHi Nicki,
DeleteHe may think he doesn't need college now, but he might change his mind once he hears his friends talking about college all the time. Also, I think it's interesting that he wants to be a voice actor, but it's also good that he plans to work a day job. Maybe once he starts working, he'll also realize what the job market is like without a college degree. Columbia College is actually a good place for students who want to pursue acting and other careers in the entertainment industry, especially because they'll learn from professors who are are already working in that industry. It's a good school.
I've taught several students who weren't fully committed to college for various reasons. They often ended up dropping classes, dropping out, or graduating later. So it's better for them to go when they have specific plans and goals, because they'll be less likely to give up.
This: " Instead, they should get jobs, which may help them realize how important it is to work hard and continue their education. They should do volunteer work, so that they'll understand how important it is to help people. They should do research on the kinds of careers that they want to pursue, so that they won't graduate without any idea of what to do with their degree. They should take a couple classes at community colleges, in order to see what college life (and professors' expectations) is like before they commit to it full-time."
ReplyDeleteI think you should keep suggesting this everywhere at all times until more and more people start doing it.
Hi Deniz,
DeleteSorry about my late reply; I'm out of town this week, so I haven't been blogging. I wish I could suggest a gap year everywhere; I truly believe that a lot of students could benefit from it. That way, there might be fewer college dropouts or students needing extra years to graduate.