The first two years of my college experience were incredibly challenging. At 22, I was a married father during my freshman year, juggling studies and family responsibilities. Life felt chaotic, as I spent most of my time either studying or working to support my family. I often dozed off on public transport, waking up in unfamiliar places. Although I wasn’t a conventional student, those early years helped me develop essential skills in learning and research.
Now working at a university within the academic framework of a Division I athletics program, I’ve noticed that many freshmen and sophomores today don’t seem to put in the same level of effort I did. I realize this sounds like an old-timer’s tale of “I walked uphill both ways,” but it’s the reality. In my freshman writing course, I had to complete a 25-page research paper—something I’ve yet to see from the students I assist now, despite my seven years in higher education. Recent research supports my suspicion that college has become less rigorous.
A recent study featured in the book Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses assessed 3,000 full-time traditional-age students across 29 colleges in the U.S. The researchers employed the Collegiate Learning Assessment, a standardized test measuring critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing capabilities. The findings are not encouraging.
Looking specifically at the initial two years, 45% of students exhibited no significant improvement in their learning. That’s less than half. By their junior and senior years, the percentage improved to 36%, but this still raises questions for parents sending their children to college: “What’s the benefit?”
As someone who has long supported higher education, I find these results troubling. Complicating matters, the average GPA of these students was a 3.2, indicating they are managing to meet minimum standards while acquiring minimal skills.
This leads to several questions. Are high schools doing a better job of preparing students than colleges? It could vary significantly depending on the institution. Some students enter my university with nearly a year of college credits, while others arrive reading at a junior high level.
Could it be that colleges are easing their standards to increase enrollment and graduation rates? This is a plausible theory. Many U.S. colleges have seen significant fluctuations in enrollment over the past two decades. A larger student body and reduced funding can strain resources and diminish the level of accountability for student learning.
According to USA Today, the focus of instructors often leans more toward faculty research than on teaching. As a result, students may be more preoccupied with their social lives than their education. I’ve noticed that in many classes, nearly half the students are distracted, scrolling through their phones.
Furthermore, introductory courses are typically assigned to adjuncts rather than tenured faculty. These adjuncts—recent graduates seeking teaching experience—often juggle multiple positions across various universities. They frequently lack access to benefits and are not committed to any single institution. This reliance on adjuncts can save universities money but may also result in less engagement from instructors and diminished accountability for students.
It’s evident that the college experience has evolved significantly. Notably, 50% of students in the study reported never taking a course in a semester where they had to write more than 20 pages, and 32% never encountered a class where they read over 40 pages weekly.
One factor not addressed in the study is the influence of the Internet on students’ learning efficiency. With numerous apps and websites providing class notes and study resources, the drive to dive into textbooks seems less compelling than before.
Does this imply that college is a colossal waste of money? I’m hesitant to go that far. While some students may be pressured into college by parents and advisors when they might thrive better in trade schools, I believe higher education still holds value. However, the evident flaws in the system need addressing to restore its former prestige.
In conclusion, while college has its place, the current landscape poses significant challenges that require urgent reform.
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