The Art of College Management

What the author proceeded to learn as a college student, I could closely relate to.  She learned some of the reasons why students did not do the readings or articles that she had assigned, why students scrambled to write papers the day before they were due, and why sometimes students cheat.  She also learned why some students in her Anthropology class had never even heard of it before, let alone know what it was.

With the rising costs of living and tuition, many students are forced to work paying jobs in addition to their studies.  This cuts back on study time.  Each semester students are searching to create a "perfect" schedule, filling all of their time they allow for classes, and the classes must meet certain criteria, such as "an easy A" or fulfilling an Arts & Letters course.

When she exists student life, and re-enters teaching life, she genuinely revised her syllabus to meet the needs of modern college student culture.  She gave value to the readings that she wanted her students to read, by making sure they were tested on them in some form (quizzes, exams, discussion).  I believe she opened up her office hours, because she now understood that students are leaving her class and rushing across campus to catch another class, or catch a bus to take them to work.

She also made a valid point, that students, like many professors, have no idea what goes on in the daily world of the other.  Majority of students are clueless as to how much preparation teachers put into a course, the politics in university life, the research they conduct, and the committees they serve on.

Closing thoughts on the chapter:
As we grow up (age and intelligence) we start to realize the value of others and how important learning truly is.  The college culture between a freshman and a senior greatly differ.  A senior is no longer quiet in class and will visit the professor during office hours.  Partying becomes less of a priority, as classes progressively get harder and the reality of entering the "real world" sinks in.  We are so fortunate to be able to grow along this spectrum in America, and be able to share such luxuries of having fun and learning at the same time.