I am a firm believer that if someone comes into a library, they open their books, not their mouths.
As an incoming freshman, the transition from high school to university is a difficult one. The workload is much more stressful, you’ve left the comforts of your high school and you’re building new relationships. Factoring in a job along with all of that doesn’t leave much time for homework. For that reason, many students go to the library for a quiet place to study.
Unfortunately, not everyone comes to the library with the same motive.
As I attempted to read a chapter out of my textbook, I had trouble concentrating. Two girls, who looked to be about the age of a freshman, like myself, were gabbing in the corner. The pair was only whispering, but in a quiet, nearly empty room, they might as well have been a screaming crowd with neon signs for the distraction they were causing. This is not the quad, fellow students. If you take a gander outside a window you may notice there is some beautiful green grass that I am sure the university spends an ample amount of money on to make it welcoming where other students are laughing and having conversation.
I imagine these students had all intentions of coming into the library to actually look at the materials in front of them, but got sidetracked. We are all guilty of this happening now and then, but at what cost?
College dropout rates are rising. According to collegecompletion.chronicle.com, approximately 37 percent of students graduate in four years. This number isn’t something to be enthusiastic about. For all of the money spent on college courses, that rate should be higher. Every student on this campus spends thousands of dollars each year to attend college, falling deeper and deeper into debt to receive their degree. Not to mention, studentaid.ed.gov shows student loan interest rates are 3.86 percent. Students should be much more concerned with their schoolwork than they actually are. It seems only prudent to buckle down and study to get through the first time rather than spend even more time, money and energy to retake a class.
Is it possible that these students, those who cannot make it to graduation, are the ones giggling in the library? No one walks into college expecting to fail. Perhaps it happens so gradually students don’t realize the damage lack of focus is causing. I am not proposing students nix socializing altogether. This could cause them to miss out on a full “college experience.” I’m merely suggesting some students are missing out on a college education, which is what we are actually here for. It’s a bit ironic that education is becoming increasingly more important and young adults are shrugging it off more than ever before. However, with a pinch of optimism and a dash of determination, this could change. This year is the perfect opportunity to start off successful, and putting as much effort into that homework assignment due this Friday as you do into weekend plans will make a difference students can see.
I’m only a freshman, but I’m guessing the secret to getting the full four-year college experience is balance.