I think that students such as myself who did not go directly from high school right into college have a more vested interest in the success or failure of their educational goals and thus I believe that we try harder. With that break between we enter the workforce or get married and start a family or dont get married as the case may be. We know what opportunities are available to people without a college degree because we have had many career paths blocked for us due to the lack of the degree. I think this type of student is also older and more mature and more prepared to face the challenges that college will bring. We have more stumbling blocks also than your average teenager, in fact we may have teenagers as one of them while going to school. Most people cannot afford to quit working and go back to school and even with a full time job while pursuing an education those funds are often spoken for and there are a number of sacrifices known and unanticipated, that will have to be made in the path to that degree. Older students though may "want it" more so than their younger contemporaries because we have taken a look at life without a degree and we have viewed our futures without a degree and obviously we have found them wanting for something. The level of commitment for an older student is higher and the work ehtic I beleive is stronger than those younger more inexperienced students. In fact being more mature may actually be a factor in our favor for continuing education.
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As a 50 year old, returning college student, I am definitely making much higher grades than I did 26 years ago. However, I was married and I suffered from a severe illness back then, and I was still very dedicated in my classes. I am disturbed by the lack of ethics and respect by the much younger students in the present. I'm just now trying to finish my Associate Degree, and I know my work is the quality of many others who are working on their Master's. I could earn top grades by doing much less than I do, but I don't settle for anything less than my best. For in the end, I am the owner of my knolwedge. I also know many younger students who DO take their opportunity quite seriously. By the way, I had a 3.5 GPA last semester and got a 4.0 this semester!
It seems that students who are older get better grades because they seem to want it more. They are also more mature and I think that that truly helps in the educational arena. I currently have a 3.17 GPA but if my grades hold through this quarter it will be going up to a 3.5 or higher. Right now I have a 96% A and a 87% B in the two classes in this rotation.
Both the nontrads that I was friends with in organic chemistry this semester were doing worse than me. I'm also probably the youngest person in my organic chemistry class, and while I didn't come out as the top in the class, I was pretty close (off by roughly 3%). Maturity is independent of age, as are grades. Yes, nontrads may work harder in general, but that's not true in every case. Good luck with your studies.
~C
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The problem with going to college right after high school is that the high school mentality is fed right into college. Very few students feel that high school education is worth their time. The system doesn't require passion from students. It simply requires them to answer math problems correctly and circle in the right answer. You are less likely to have heated debates in the high school classroom. Controversial subjects, things that would perk anyone's interest, are avoided like the plague. The subject matter usually presented to high school students is clear of anything too hot and creates a sense of blandness to everything.
I have just returned to school a year ago. I am 24 years old. I must admit though that to me the grade is not as important anymore to me as much as what I actually feel like I am getting out of the class.
Many college students seek the easy classes with the easy or likeable professors because they are carrying in the high school mentality.
I do not mind if a class is "easy", as long as I feel that I am getting a lot out of it. If I don't, if I feel I will be no different as a human being after the class finishes, it is a waste of my time and it upsets me.
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I believe that what you are saying here is very much true, up to the grade thing. I am bent on achieving good grades. I slipped in the last week of my classes last quarter and ended up with a C in one class which is still burning my butt! I aim higher and I want better for myself. Aside from the fact that there are two scholarships for which I cannot apply due to being 3 one hundreths of a point short of the minimum GPA, which also burns my butt. However there is no one to be blamed here except myself.
In hindsight, this is a general attitude that I am evolving in my life lately. I am becoming indifferent to scores and grades whether in the school or the work place. If I learn, if I know I did a good job, if I feel that I am pushing myself just a little further, that is all the recognition I need. Of course, when it comes to my words, I want more recognition because I want the issues to have more recognition. I also want the feedback in that regard to improve and expand.
If I get a C though, I don't let it get to me.
Scholarships are a reason to get good grades though.
I am so indifferent to grades that I just remembered while writing this that I haven't checked to see what I got for this last semester.
Heh.
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When I went to college right out of high school, I was immature and scared. I did not really understand the courses and was afraid to ask the instructors for help. I went to college for the first time when I was 21, again when I was 26, and now I am attending college online with almost a 4.0 grade point average. My grade point average for this semester has not been tallied as of yet, but I know I will have a g.p.a. that is close to 4.0. I am more dedicated in school now than when I was younger, and I want to make a better life for my husband, myself, and my daughters. I also want to show my daughters that even though their are obstacles in life, that a good education is very important.
"Mothers and Children never truly part, bound by the beating of each other's hearts."- If a mother can love two children,why is it so hard to understand that a child can love two mothers? I love my daughters and my wonderful husband, and the Lord.
I'd say on a large scale that I agree with you, but I do think there are a lot of fresh-out-of-high-school students who are just as committed as you may be. We aren't all here to party and dwell in high school, you know!
I definitely agree with you. Everyone says it's harder to go back if you take time off. So obviously you have to be more determined to go back. Good for you! =)