Hello on a late Sunday morning,
The last 24-36 hours have been a commenting/grading marathon, and while I am no where close to being completed, I needed to get away from the screen for a bit. So squash soup at Panera and beginning another blog. I have spent time in two places the last couple weeks: my offices (home or school) and in classrooms. As a break at home I have sat and watched a couple of movies. I tend to go through phases where I watch the same genre a bit and then onto a different genre. Somehow, perhaps as November connects me to my service roots, I find myself watching military-based films. Perhaps it is because our world seems to be on fire presently between the Ukraine’s and Russia‘s ongoing war, and the explosive nature of the last two weeks in Israel and Gaza (and beyond). As I listen to the words of opposing sides, I find it a struggle to determine my personal view on the Middle East. I spoke about some of in my previous post. It is much easier to determine my position on the Eastern European conflict, but I also know I have a former student and family who matter deeply, and they currently live in Moscow. I still believe my visit to Moscow the summer of 2019 was one of my most memorable travel experiences.
Over the past few weeks conversations with students have reminded me of how differently they seem to perceive their college experience than I did, and this pertains to everything from why they might come to college to what they expect to receive from or give to this thing that will require 10s of thousands of dollars and generally at least four years of their time. The cost is exponentially higher than a generation ago, and as a consequence more and more students work outside the classroom at positions that require a significant number of hours, and hours that have a profound effect both on their body and mind. They, too often, see another shift as a necessity if they are to pay an outstanding bill or have the resources to come back next semester. They are running from class to the parking lot to get to their next shift. If they work on campus, there is convenience, but it requires more hours or a second job because they still have a deficit, unable to pay for an apartment, for food, for books, or a car or cell phone. Many are not working for spending money. Most are working to survive. And thus, their assignments are missed or turned in late; the quality of their work suffers because they have neither the time nor energy to put requisite time into the things that are primary to being successful as a student. When we, as professors expect they will spend adequate, appropriate, necessary time, we are told we are being unreasonable or that we expect too much, particularly if it is an intro or general education course.
That has happened in our academic world is the tuition-driven, business model of college is untenable. The possibility of gaining a credential is not only expensive, but it has become precisely that, a piece of paper that becomes a be-all, the end to a means. In spite of our best intentions to create a system that makes a degree possible (e.g. the reason for land grant universities to begin with or the implementation of the GI Bill), the reality of it being an economic burden to the states or the federal government, and by extension to society itself, cannot, and should not be ignored. Consider this: my first year of college (as an instate student) cost about $800.00 for room, board, and tuition. If you multiply that by 4, I would pay less than $4,000.00 for that Bachelors. Today, and where I teach is considered one of the more affordable universities in the system, that same Bachelors (which is more common, and then perhaps by extension less valuable) will cost approximately $100,000.00, or a 2,400% increase. Think about that . . . in less than 50 years. By extension, the cost of house and the cost of food, two of our most fundamental needs have also increased, and dramatically, in terms of percentage of total income it is something quite different. While housing’s percentage is up, the increase is modest, which surprised me; however, on the other hand food costs have actually decreased. Education, and particularly higher education, which is generally considered more necessary if one is to create a more economically sustainable, successful life, is burdening the current generation with an inversely unsustainable debt. By making college a business-based, tuition-driven model, we have forced this generation to see education as a credential, a degree or piece of paper that furthers their perception that general education, including writing or mathematics, are necessary evils to survive. As people who see each class as a financial exchange they believe they are customers first, and student gets pushed on down the line.
As my customer, I hear comments like “I think general education is a waste of my time and money. I don’t need to waste my time on this.” Of course such a comment assumes that the average 21 year old knows what they will need. I receive a response when telling a student that engaging in class, doing more than sitting in their seat might be a better strategy than coming to class without their books, sitting with their AirPods in their ears, or more asleep than awake, “Some days I just don’t want to be bothered.” Or when telling a student, after they have failed an assignment, which had an example in their Content Management System (LMS), that coming in person rather than Zooming was probably a good idea, their response was “coming to campus in person was a waste of their time.” It is difficult to not feel both offended as well as somewhere we have done something terribly wrong. All of this is just in the past week.
And yet let me offer this, and perhaps surprisingly, most of them are basically good people. About two weeks ago, on a beautiful late fall morning and early afternoon, I asked my freshman to tell me what emotion they were feeling. Going around the room in two sections, I simply said, “State the emotion that most describes you at this moment.” After almost 50 students responded, at the end of the midterm period in the semester, three emotions were, far and away, the most stated: stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious. Not s promising list. Then I said, we are going to go outside to the quad, and I want you to sit and write about why that is for the next 40 minutes. I want you to look at the beauty of the colors, enjoy the outside, and simply write about what you are thinking and feeling, and it is an extra credit assignment. As long as you turn it in, it can only help you. If a student was absent, and it was a Friday so that is pretty much a guarantee, they missed out on that extra credit possibility. The exercise offered to additional things. They had to think and write on the spot, which is a needed skill, and they got to do something that focused on them and it was done in a slightly different setting. I was asked the normal questions: how much must I write? What about editing, proofreading? I assured them as long as they wrote for 40 minutes and handed something in, it would be accepted. While they sat outside composing I walked around, greeting each student individually and thanking them for their work thus far in the semester and trying to encourage them to keep going. Over the past two days, as I’ve read their responses, one thought continually emerges . . . they are indeed overwhelmed. They feel underprepared and inadequate because the demands of college are exponentially higher than what they expected. They feel torn between trying to manage what it happening in their classrooms and responding to the messages they hear or receive from home because they are calling or texting multiple times a day. They are pulled in so many directions because they have a balance on their accounts for the current semester that must be paid before they register for the next, they could not afford their books, and on top of that they are embarrassed because they feel foolish or like they are the only one who must be facing this dilemma. And yet, for my students be it an any of the three campuses of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, this is the norm. They are like a flock of ducks, seemingly calm on the surface and paddling like crazy just out of sight, trying to stay afloat.
What have we done in making education a business? We have hollowed out the real purpose of creating citizens, making it less achievable it seems. We have taken away majors from philosophy to physics believing that even we as the educated know what makes someone marketable. That very belief furthers the notion that our only job is to create students for jobs. As a history and humanities major all those years ago, I was compelled to think and analyze. I was mentored by incredible professors and humans who modeled the very thing I have aspired to become, a person whose commitment to teaching others to think and analyze, to not merely silo knowledge, hopefully creates thoughtful and successful humans. Being a life-long student is not what I do, it is who I am. It is when I am learning myself that the best professing can occur. My father’s words still ring in my ears. I did not go to college merely to get a credential, I went to college because I hoped to change the lives around me as well as my own. I wanted to go beyond average, which is what he had admonished me to do. It became the foundation of my life. If I could make the lives of others more meaningful, I would make my own life more meaningful. That is education. It is the win/win. Those humanities and history classes did so much more than give a credential. Thank you to my advisors from Dana to Michigan Tech to pushed me when I needed it, who supported me when I did not realize how much I needed it; and who modeled what being a professor was and is. I am beyond blessed to be where I am.
Thanks for reading as always,
Dr. Martin
thewritingprofessor55 
Dr. Martin,
After reading this blog post, I have an immense amount of respect toward you as a professor and as a person. Many people in the generations before me, do not understand or attempt to understand the difficulties I face with balancing all aspects of my life. I’ve heard from others that they believe the difficulties my generation face is simply due to laziness or that the younger generation whines more about their problems. Like you have stated in your post, many of us are running from class to work to make ends meet. I personally balance nursing school, working at Dunkin, spending time with family and friends, and paying bills, tuition, housing, food, car insurance, and any other expenses. Your willingness to understand and analyze the hardships the younger generations now face is refreshing. The survey you conducted with students about what their emotions at the time were, struck a chord in me. The emotions expressed by those students is what I feel on most days. Thank you for this blog post!
Dr. Martin,
I very much enjoyed reading this post and getting a better understanding of yourself as a person, and a professor. It was very pleasant and refreshing to hear that you can understand the younger generation and how the day-to-day as a college student is because, for most of us, it really is going from place to place, back to back nonstop. Older generations do not typically understand all the hardships the younger generation is really going through, and to hear your side and your thoughts makes my respect towards you heightened very much. I personally balance my day-to-day life, while having a pretty demanding major, club sports, as well as a sorority on top of doing schoolwork. It can be very difficult at times. Your perspective on the differences between your generation and ours, knowing that there are differences, has prompted a profound respect for you as both an individual and a professor. The survey you gave your students on how they were feeling about their emotions was very thoughtful of you and I really loved hearing that you care about all of your students. I feel a great amount of what there feeling in their everyday college life. Thank you for this blog post, I very much enjoyed reading it.
Dr. Martin,
It really does seem like college is becoming much less affordable and realistic. The expectation that students must scrape up tens of thousands of dollars for an undergraduate degree seems crazy today. I started working as a freshman in high school and have continued working every year since. A lot of the money I made from these jobs went directly toward my savings.
This is my last semester at Bloomsburg University, and thankfully, I will be graduating with little student debt and a full-time offer from the company I interned at. This semester has been about continuing work and saving for a new car (I have my license but have never owned a vehicle). Unfortunately, the car market is just as expensive as anything else right now. School has been my top priority these last few years, and I believe my grades reflect that well. Although, as I’m about to enter another chapter of my life, there is suddenly much more on my plate.
You mention the rate at which tuition is growing with the current tuition-based business model; this is concerning for the future of the next generations. College is an investment into your future, but is it realistic to expect families to afford to send their kids to college at such high rates? Many people find college unnecessary, but it teaches valuable lessons, such as working on a schedule, balancing life, and building different social skills. As Bloomsburg switches to a more online-oriented environment, being a student at Bloomsburg will lose value.
It’s always refreshing to see this issue from a perspective that isn’t a student. Thanks for sharing this.
Dr. Martin,
This specific blog post of yours really spoke to me. I have been and am currently in the same position as the students you describe in your post. While it may not be the healthiest mindset, my college experience is transactional. I attend classes because I pay for them. I use every meal swipe because I pay for it. I check out buildings on campus I have no relation to because I pay for them. I use the technology in the library and the shuttle because I pay for it. Every event and activity on campus is critically viewed to see where my money is going.
As someone primarily putting myself through college, finances are a huge part of my life. Money is a daily thought. This past summer I worked five jobs to be able to pay for this semester. Currently, I am working two jobs. Once fall and winter break start, I’ll be going back to five jobs. I have no room to complain about this. I’m the one setting out to pay for college out of pocket with any loans and as such must pay the cost of no free time. I feel like I’m working to survive. The tempting thought of skipping classes is met with crippling guilt when I think about the countless hours spent in third-floor apartments in the inner city. The desire to eat something other than dining hall food is met with flashes of the hours I spend in my car with no AC driving to the next court hearing just to make some extra change.
To read that there is a professor on this campus who recognizes this challenge among students is amazing. In my experience, that’s not the norm. On many occasions, I’ve expressed to a friend a confusion as to why my professors think that the only thing I do during a week is attend their class. I’m sure that even your choice to give your students time to reflect and just talk to them like people will stick with them for a long time.
Dr Martin,
I always like seeing someone who is not a student who understands the struggles that college students go through these days. I commend you for seeing your students stressed out and overwhelmed and trying to do something to help them out. I am sure you helped your students in class that day more than you know. I am personally in the same situation as them right now. I too am stressed and overwhelmed with trying to juggle my school work, sports, and a job. I think all the stress is starting to make my hair turn gray. I do believe that all this stress in the early years of college is really good though because it teaches you how to deal with stress and organize your life better to alleviate stress. As a freshman and sophomore, I was unbelievably stressed because I did not know how to organize my life. This year, as a junior, I have learned from my past two years and now know how to juggle all these different aspects of my life. While I am still stressed out It was not nearly as bad as the past two years. Thank you as always for this blog post; it was a great read.
Dr, Martin
It was very comforting to know some professors understand what this generation of college students go through and, even more so, try to provide some guidance or relief. As someone who has balanced a part-time job for three years in college and worked full-time during the summer and winter, I understand how my fellow jugglers feel. Although learning to handle multiple responsibilities is invaluable, I think there should be some revision in the higher education system to realign educational institution’s goals. The comparison in costs from college in the past to now is astounding, along with all the other expenses that have gone up recently, and was disheartening to think about regarding the future of college students. As you stated, it seems the goal revolves more around financial matters than obtaining advanced knowledge, and I hope there will, eventually, be a shift in focus.
Dr. Martin,
This blog post provides a lot of insights into what it’s like being a college student in today’s world. A lot of the issues you mentioned are all very relatable in some way. As someone whose family just immigrated to the United States in 2012, my parents didn’t have much money to send me or my two sisters to college. My oldest sister was a college student when we moved to Guam and she had to take a year off because it was too expensive for us for her to go to college there. She had to go back to the Philippines to finish her degree. My other sister graduated high school as the valedictorian and got a full-ride scholarship to Colgate University in New York. She still had to do work-study in order to pay for her daily living expenses. She’s currently working towards her Ph.D. in Hong Kong with another full-ride scholarship with a stipend. I feel like in today’s society just having a bachelor’s degree is the bare minimum. Finding ways to pay for tuition in today’s economy is also really difficult.
The majority of my friends from high school ended up enlisting in the military so they could use the GI bill to pay for their education. Although I wanted to be part of the Air Force at first I ended up going to the Army because it was financially a better decision and they provided me a lot more opportunities. I got accepted to 16 colleges although a lot of them gave me scholarships up to $120,000, at the end of the day I still had to pay a lot out of pocket. I was fortunate enough to receive an Army ROTC scholarship which basically covered everything. I ended up going to Valley Forge Military College for my first college. I had to settle on getting an Associate of Arts Degree in Security Studies even though that wasn’t really something I wanted to do. It was just the closest thing they had to what I wanted to do and I needed to get a degree in order to get my commission to become an officer. I struggled in my classes trying to force myself to be interested in learning something I am not interested in using or needing in the future. I questioned myself multiple times on why I’m doing what I was doing. I felt like I was wasting a lot of time and effort into something I didn’t need for the job I wanted to do. I am just doing it just to say I have a degree.
After I graduated and got my commission, I transferred to Bloomsburg University for almost the same reason. They accepted all my credits and they had a Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Program. I only needed and wanted the Cybersecurity side of the major for the job I wanted but in order to get a degree I have to take a lot of irrelevant classes. Unfortunately, the program is heavily focused on digital forensics and not much on cybersecurity but I can’t complain too much. The Army pays for the tuition and I got a housing scholarship. I use my benefits from the Army and my pay from drill to keep me afloat living here in Pennsylvania on my own 8,000 miles away from home. Living here for me hasn’t been easy. I have to figure out where I’m living during the winter and summer breaks and where I will be storing all my belongings. Currently, the government is having pay issues with the military. It’s already almost November and the Army hasn’t paid my tuition yet or paid my benefits. With my current knee injury, my options are limited when it comes to finding a job that will help keep me afloat. Keeping up with school and responsibilities is already stressful. Having to worry about paying bills is another stressor a lot of college students have to deal with. This goes to show that in order to get a degree a lot of people are sacrificing a lot for something that they might not even use or end up doing something they don’t even like.
Dr. Martin,
I think you nailed the sentiment that college has become primarily a transaction. You pay the institution several tens of thousands of dollars and minimum two to four years of your life and in return you receive a degree and whatever skills you manage to accumulate along the way. This degree, while it can prove to be incredibly useful in furthering your career, can also turn out to be a financial burden you’ll be paying off for years. The process of getting a degree is risky too, it’s often a four-year commitment but could turn out to be five, or even six. This can quickly spiral out of hand and become a case of the sunk-cost fallacy, where you’re juggling whether to continue pursuing education or cut costs and pull out. I, along with several of my friends have had to consider this deeply, and it can be very stressful to just keep hoping that you made the right decision.
Despite what I’ve said about college, I don’t think it’s a waste of one’s time. It certainly is a huge commitment, and at times can be very frustrating, but there are opportunities not just in the offered classes themselves which provide additional skills. There are workshops, clubs and networking opportunities available which can provide crucial tools and interpersonal connections to advance one’s career. I’ve realized that it’s not just the degree which is important, but the skills and connections you build around it which are critical to success.
Dr. Martin,
I enjoyed reading your latest blog on Education is Broken. Many thoughts ran through my head as I read it. Some I agreed with and some I did not agree with 100%. I first must say I’m very fortunate to have parents that started a PA Tap 529 program for me shortly after I was born. All Christmas and birthday money given to me mostly went into this account. They saved what they could and also opened up a Upromise Mastercard the year I was born. All purchases made on this card gave 1.5% back to the Tap program. They are very frugal and this has contributed to me potentially coming out with no debt upon college graduation. I am very grateful to them and have learned their budget friendly ways over the years. My parents are not extravagant people and never had much but they did remain focused on the goal of helping me as much as possible with college costs. That does not mean I have not worked full time every summer since the age of 16 years old. I also work over holiday breaks. A certain percent of what I earn goes back to the Tap 529 account. I have also been fortunate to start subbing as a teacher at a local school district on Fridays as I do not have class on this day.
I do agree that stress is a part of students lives. But stress plays a part in everyone’s life. It is how you deal with it and learn to focus your life so the stress is not looming over you. I feel students can tend to make this “stress” an excuse. I’m not saying all students but the ones that are around me seem very immature and do not do well with time management. What will they do when they work full time in the adult world, married, and potentially support a family? Stress never goes away with life but we must learn how to manage it. This is where I feel it lacks for many people, including students. I have witnessed it first hand and also during team projects. Many do not even check email on a daily basis. I try to manage my time by looking 3-4 weeks ahead with a schedule. I’m aware of what is coming up and know if I need to start it way in advance due to my work schedule or other class assignment schedule. This management of time as well as caring lacks in so many students. Perhaps it is the maturity that does or does not lie within individuals at a certain age. Knowing my parents took the time to save money for the last 20 years to fund my college drives me more to earn the best grades possible.
Most students are not prepared for when they attend college. My high school did not prepare me in any way. They are not prepared to be on their own, face peer pressures, actually read school material, and having no one care if they show up to class or not. I know I was not prepared to write papers for college. I was not prepared to be organized and management my time to the best of my ability. However, that has not stopped me to figure out what is wrong and how do I make it better.
In today’s world, I feel excuses are more prevalent than ever. It is the easy way out and is becoming accepted more and more. If a student is working many hours and cannot keep up with their studies, they need to analyze if perhaps part time schooling is better for them. Figure out a way to to best deal with the stress. Do not make it an excuse in your life.
Dr. Martin,
Your blog makes it quite evident that you have serious concerns about the status of higher education as it is, the cost to students, and the movement in academics toward a business-driven paradigm. Your insights about the difficulties students face, the prohibitive expense of education, and the effect on their well-being are insightful and well-founded. I completely agree with this because the amount of money that I am throwing toward my degree is crazy.
You brought up the fact that the expense of higher education has increased dramatically, which is a serious worry. It is concerning that many students nowadays struggle to find the time and energy to concentrate on their education because they frequently work several jobs to make ends meet. It’s particularly depressing to observe that many students nowadays perceive school more as a way to get a diploma than as a chance for intellectual inquiry, critical thinking, and personal development.
It’s a kind and compassionate attitude that you describe as part of your activity with your pupils, where you asked them to express their feelings and then encouraged them to go outside and take a break. It shows that you are aware of the tension and worry that students are under and that you are prepared to assist in promoting their well-being. I really enjoy the way you have run your course to allow for these breaks and not having to do all the work at the same time.
Dr Martin,
After reading this post that you have written it has become clear to me that you are an active participant in your student’s learning, asking your students how they feel and actually listening to them is something I have yet to experience in my 3 years at Bloomsburg University. I agree with everything you said in this post, especially the point you made about making college more of a business than an education. As a nursing student, so much pressure is already put on us before even starting the program however I quickly learned that there was also no room for mistakes in combination with that pressure which only makes it worse. There are no acceptions for a late assignment, a missed class, and a missed clinical, etc. I understand this as it is an aspect of professionalism and our job to get our assignments done and attend class however I am not just a nursing student I am also a human. I also have a part-time job outside of school so I can afford the various things I need to succeed in the nursing program, I have family and friends that like to visit and see how I am doing, and I honestly sometimes just need time to myself to do housekeeping tasks. Now this doesn’t sound like a lot but when you have to live it, it can become beyond stressful, I feel as if I never have enough time no matter how hard I try and I know an extensive amount of people that feel the same exact way. For example, I had a dentist appointment scheduled for months, I just had to cancel that appointment so I could take my exam on Friday. This was extremely frustrating for as both things are extremely important to me and I had to choose between the two which I understand that’s just life but that is just an example of how thin my time is stretched every week just so I can complete the work for my nursing classes and the gen-eds we are required to take, even if they have no relation to my major (I am not talking about this class but, others I have had to take in the past). It is comforting to know that I am not the only student that feels like this every year during college but it is also terrifying that students feel like this for 7-8 months out of the year, it is in my opinion unacceptable and something that needs to be changed. After reading and understanding your point of view I have a whole different level of respect for you, I think you are the model of what a professor should be doing and what professors should offer to their students. Thank you for being actively involved in your students lives, and taking the time to understand what our daily lives look like, it makes a huge difference whether you are able to see that are not, thank you.
Dr. Martin,
I have always had a lot of respect for you as a professor, and I can tell you have a lot of empathy for your students. It is definitely hard to try and juggle lots of things at once, so I understand the feeling. It can feel almost suffocating and like there is no escape from anything like the walls are closing in. I have felt that way throughout my school career, as I have trouble getting myself to do much of anything other than the bare minimum or an average job. Although this post speaks about freshmen, I can relate to what they feel. I am a junior who very recently declared my major. I still don’t know if I’m doing the right thing about 99% of the time, and that choice is definitely a hard one to make. My original choices for my major would be what makes the most money, or, as mentioned, “marketable.”
I definitely did not pick a marketable major; however, it is something I wanted to do. I am unsure if I even have a lot of job prospects with what I chose, and it is definitely something to look into, but I am okay with it for now. I find it hard to believe I am not a freshman anymore because nothing has changed for me other than the world around me. Mentally, I am the same young lady I was when I came to college. I’m uncertain of my future and having a hard time making a decision. I had no idea what was coming for me. Nothing could have prepared me for what did happen anyway. I have always tried my hardest to give it my all, even if it wasn’t the best, but that was my all at the time, making it the best I myself could do. I still show up to class every day ready to learn and have the materials needed to be as prepared as possible.
I do agree with you in some sense; we have lost the true meaning of what getting an education truly means. Most people go to college because they feel it is the necessary “right step” to take after graduating high school. I know that is what I thought, which is why I came into everything as an undecided major. I personally have never known what made me more eager to learn—something I was passionate about—because everything feels more like a chore to me than pleasurable. What I hope to gain from college is a comfortable life for myself and the ability to help the people I care for. I also hope to enjoy what I do rather than feel like it is a never-ending cycle of burnout.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the topic. I enjoyed reading what you had to share.
Dr. Martin,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts in this blog post. This shows that you are not only a dedicated educator but also someone who cares about the well-being and success of your students. I agree with your observations about the changing landscape of education and the challenges that today’s college students face. The exponential increase in the cost of higher education, in addition to the pressures students receive to work outside the classroom, shows the struggles and challenges students encounter. I also agree that it is difficult to balance work, academics, and the financial burden of school. Another struggle of students I believe is balancing school with social life. I feel like it is inversely proportional. I see two options; sit in my room all day and study, not go out. or blowing off school to have a social life. I am fortunate enough that my parents are taking on the financial burden of school and that motivates me to work even harder. It is sad to see some of my friends in similar situations throw away their parent’s money by not going to class and treating school as a vacation. I sometimes feel like I work to hard spending more time working on school improving my grades for a better future and a better chance at a scholarship that my parents want me to slow down and have more of a social life. I struggle to balance one thing, so I usually choose to focus all my attention on one thing. For me, my goal is to leave school with a good gpa and a good work opportunity out of school. I have time to have a social life later and I am afraid that if I screw up now that it will ruin the rest of my life. I personally cannot relate to balancing work and school but I do understand the struggles of balancing school and social life and the.
I like the fact that instead of assuming what your students were feeling you actively asked them. I have a lot of professors scratching their heads as to why their students are not engaged or not coming to class. Taking the step of just asking shows that you truly care about your students, and you genuinely want to learn why they feel that way. What you got back as a response is true for most students; stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious. I don’t remember the exact statistic, but I remember that our generation, gen z, is the most stressed compared to the older generation. I believe we also had the most cases of anxiety compared to older generations.
I can relate to the part where you talk about managing school and texts from home. Most days, if not every day I get a text or a call from my mother. My first semester was an issue for me because I was very overwhelmed living away from home for the first time. My mom was just checking in to make sure I was eating and alive. She gets nervous anytime I go on trips so living away from home for a long time was something we both had to adjust to. It was not just my mom’s fault because I would also be calling home and asking questions like how I use the washing machine and other things I took for granted living at home. Over time as I have become more comfortable living away from home, we still contact each other a lot but it is mostly just to talk about our day. She knows that I am able to survive by myself and she doesn’t have to worry as much.
Reading this blog post brought be back to my sophomore year in your Foundations of writing class. This extra credit assignment was one that I specifically remember quite well. As you spoke about the lives of college students and how it has changed so drastically from then to now, I almost feel a sense of comfort in hearing a professor clearly state that they understand the outside struggles that follow college itself. Now almost through my first semester of my junior year, I have found that certain struggles have remained while others are not seen as conflicts anymore. As I searched for my initial writing for this assignment, I wrote: -August 31st 2022-
“I wish i had a hammock. I have one at home but maybe that’s why I want one here. This semester I’ve been trying to “stay put” and not go home as much. And while I think I’m having a good time , I still find myself thinking about how I could go back. It makes it even harder because tomorrow is Aga Conn’s birthday (my dad)! But I’m not there. Maybe I take things too personally. Or maybe I’m still just figuring out how to leave the nest. Part of me doesn’t really want to leave the nest at all. But ya see, it’s silly really because when I am home, I don’t stay home. I’ll go out with friends, work, everything but staying home. And that makes me kind of sad. But if I think about it, I sometimes feel like I’m there. Walking in the door, you can smell the butter in the mashed potato’s, homemade gravy, and a crispy rotisserie chicken. My mouth is wateringggggg. I wondering what they’ll make for dad’s birthday. My guess is chicken, rice and gravy, his favorite. I hope they decorate for him. I feel like when I left for school, there was tension between us. I don’t like that feeling and I wish I wasn’t so stubborn sometimes. But he’s stubborn too and these are his genes so it’s on him hahah. Aside from home, this writing class is lonely. I feel like I don’t have a friend in here and that everyone’s looking at me funny. Also the fact that I have to write a 9-12 page paper makes me so extremely nervous. I feel like I can’t write a 5 page paper let alone 9-12. But I know that if I have a positive outlook and read all my material and ask questions, I will survive. And who knows, maybe I’ll love every minute of it.”
Reading this only a year later, I feel the “scatter brain” that my sophomore year self was contained with. I felt like I couldn’t get a break. I felt unprepared for all of this work that my high school did not prepare me for. I felt alone. And I entertained my brain of memories from home to help escape my reality. Now reaching almost 21, I feel like I have finally gotten a grip on my life. I feel like I am gaining control on my life. I have created goals. I have changed perspectives. And I have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. I feel as though that may be one of the hardest things about college. You feel like you have this image of how fun and exciting these new changes are going to be, however, you look over the hard aspects that you were not necessarily ready for, and you get easily overwhelmed to believe that you are simply not smart enough to be there or see positive achievements. At least that was my personal experience. College was hard. College is still so hard. Although as you go on, you are taught so many lessons that prepare you for the rest of your life. Most likely every hurdle is frustrating and can be overwhelming and hard, but we do have the capabilities to get past them; to achieve them. However, creating that mindset that you can and you will, is half of the battle. Hearing your response in your blog gives me some hope. While I have not seen many professors communicate their understanding of what college life is outside of school and during school, it is refreshing to feel understood and heard. Therefore, I appreciate your words and your grace and I hope that other professors see the positive changes that you make in students lives, mine included, and then choose to exemplify the same behaviors. Sometimes we need a little encouragement. Sometimes we need a little push. But it is the people who take the time to notice that truly change our perspectives, mindsets and encourages us to shine, so thank you.
-Aniela Connolly
Dr. Martin,
I enjoyed this blog post per usual, although I felt more deeply connected to the contents here than to your other post. I think the title is where I got drawn in, as we have learned in your foundational course you need to promise your audience something, and you certainly delivered your promise and connection to the title. I have to applaud you for your honesty as a professor being vulnerable adds sharing as much as you do with your students. I believe this is how you make the connections you do with students. I also applaud you for the amount of time and effort that you pour into your profession, as it shows in the details that you leave in comments, assignment postings, emails and classroom discussions.
After reading this post it is slightly concerning and upsetting how things have changed. I know most of the time we consider change to being a good thing, but is it always? The change in the cost of. schooling alone is terrifying enough. I never saw myself being faced with as much debt as I am aware is waiting for me the second I cross that stage. I believe that the work ethic among students has also slightly shifted as we are aware. I think as you have noted in class and in other posts, this change in energy has stemmed from the effects of covid.
Through reading this post I began to question my time here and at my previous institution and how much I am putting in, to get out. I strongly hope and believe that I am effecting in using my time here. I have included myself in organizations and experiences that I believe will benefit me in my future. I also believe that college is a mind game, it’s all about what you are willing to do for yourself. I believe that we are here to see how capable we are of pushing ourselves, it’s not just about “staying on track”, or “getting ahead”. It’s about “getting the most out of your time here”, and this looks different for everyone. For me this looks like learning how to balance the times when I don’t want to go to classes and I am okay with letting myself slack, versus pushing myself because I payed for it. I think keeping a positive mindset, being okay with small failures and not being so hard on yourself while also being your motivator is what college is about. Its not about the piece of paper that says you can do fancy things because you payed to learn how to do them. Its about the mental and emotional challenges that you put yourself thorough, to learn what you are capable of that you are paying for.
Dr. Martin,
Reading this post brought me right back to my freshman year. I was buried under what felt like huge amounts of work. I struggled to balance my schedule, and there was definitely a financial toll put upon me that pushed me into getting a campus job. Now, about three years later, I’m managing this slightly better, but the anxiety and need to work is still there. From a young age, I was told that I had to go to college. “It will open doors for you”, “It will help you get ahead in life”, “You need a degree for a good job”, and “You’re too smart to not go to college” were phrases that I always heard. Getting into college and coming to Bloomsburg was an exciting event, but once I got here I realized how broken the college business model and institution actually is. You hear how bad student loan debt is, how you need to work during school, and how you need to balance your life but you never really know what any of it is like until you actually experience it. Your post has captured these feelings in a way that highlights issues from both the student’s and the professor’s perspectives. It makes me feel our struggles are seen and understood. It also gives me hope that despite the generational differences and views, students and professors can work together in the future to fix the college model. If we work together to fix the system everyone from the students to the professors to society would benefit.
Dr. Martin,
This post took me right back to my freshmen year of college. The financial struggles, the anxiety about meeting expectations, and balancing my schedule, it all came rushing back. For most of my life, I was told “You need to go to college”, “Going to college gets you ahead in life”, “You’re too smart to not go to college”, and “If you want to have a good life you need to go to college.” It was an expectation yet was also exciting. Coming to Bloomsburg was exciting, but once I started classes I found out how truly broken the educational system is. I felt the anxiety and struggle to keep up with demands. I experienced financial struggles and was forced into working during school. The whole experience was shocking to go through. You hear all of the information about how bad the college system is getting, but it means so much more when you experience it. After reading your post, it showed me that there are some professors who see and understand the struggle that we students go through. It gave me hope that there could be a possibility for further understanding and change. There may be a possibility for both students and professors to work together and fix this broken college system. It would benefit the students, the professors, and society.
Dr. Martin,
I am also of the opinion that the education system needs some essential repairs. I feel that it is unnecessary to have such a high cost just for entry, when there is no guarantee you will find your footing at all in this new place. I used to hear talk of college all the time when I was growing up, and I aged with the impression that college was much more relaxed than high school, there were parties every weekend that everyone was invited to, and people were experimenting in several different ways, and acceptance was much more common. I know now that this mindset is a clouded one, and life is not like the movies or shows, which someone should definitely look into. I believe that a person’s entire future should not cost a fortune, or, at least, not as much of a fortune as it does, if that person is still unsure of the road that lies ahead. I look forward to discussing things like this in class more.
Many kudos and well wishes,
Andrew
Dr. Martin
This post of your is one that I have felt most connected to. College is a struggle; classes keep getting harder and we are getting less sympathy. I work hard on my classes and always show up, while others stay home and get full credit if not more than I do in some classes. I try to keep afloat with three jobs and college classes not to mention everything else I have on top of that (Bloomsburg Fair Queen, Soccer Coach, Soccer Player, Cheerleading Coach, etc.) I’m trying my best although I feel every time, I take one step forward and three steps back. Your class is the only class that I can relate to the most out of all of the ones I have taken previously, you are one of the only professors that understand the struggles we are going through firsthand. I appreciate you and everything you have done for not only me but every student you have had.
Dr Martin,
I believe that the world is getting very violent and crazy as well, especially with the conflicts that are currently ongoing. November is a special month for my family because of the Marine Corps birthday, which my brother will never let us forget about each and every single year that it passes. I hope that someday I will be able to travel to unique places like how you had the opportunity to visit Moscow.
It is very difficult and extremely stressful to be a college student nowadays because of the large amount of money that I will have to pay back in the years to come. I think it is disappointing that academics are tuition-driven and the amount of money spent to get a diploma is disheartening. I am very shocked to see the calculations of the different prices that we are paying compared to less than fifty years ago. I really hope I can successfully pay off the large amount of college debt that I will have within a short amount of time. I do not want to be old and still paying for my college degree from when I was a young adult or teenager. I have more debt than most at this point because I went to LVC whose tuition is around $70,000 per year.
As a future teacher, I would be hurt if my students did not feel the need to attend class or complete their work since I am putting time in for their success and betterment. When we went around the room and discussed our emotions, it took me by surprise to hear all of the same negative emotions that my classmates were feeling. I think writing about it and knowing I will be getting extra credit helped me. I do think that college focuses on creating students for jobs. I know that most of my education professors are more focused on me being a good teacher than me producing good work within the class.
Dr. Martin,
I knew this post was going to resonate with me the second that I read the title. Your incredible take on the broken system that is education is spot-on. You state that college is “a business-based, tuition-driven model.” That could not be more true. A popular reason for going to class is so that you are “getting the most out of your money.” Oftentimes, students do not have the desire to learn and grow as people. Instead, they do not want to waste money and could care less about what they’re gaining from going to class in terms of education. In their minds, as long as they get that piece of paper when they graduate, they are successful. I think a lot about the article you had us read in the beginning of the semester about “claiming” your education. It is true when you say that the only thing tuition buys is a seat in a classroom and, therefore, an opportunity. This gave me a whole new perspective on the importance of doing more than just showing up to class. Going above and beyond is what is necessary to making college worth the money.
I know many people that must pay their way through college. In order to do that, they work relentlessly and barely have time to catch their breath. They are, essentially, sinking. You state in your post, “they are like a flock of ducks, seemingly calm on the surface and paddling like crazy just out of sight, trying to stay afloat.” I think almost every working college student would agree with this. I do not currently have a job, and for that I am grateful. I am thankful for the time I have allotted myself to get acclimated to college life before jumping into a new job. I am lucky to be able to go through my first semester job-free. That is not the case, however, for a lot of people. They not only have to manage a class schedule, but a job schedule as well. Finding enough time in the day to get it all done is a challenge for many. I know I will have to work over breaks as well as in the coming semesters if I want to be able to pay off college debt. The fear of not being able to stay afloat amidst all the chaos is strong.
There is so much pressure to do well in college as there is so much riding on your success. There are tens of thousands of dollars on the line. That type of pressure is not good for anyone, and it makes the struggle so much worse. If I am trying my absolute best in a class and do not pass, I not only let down myself but I also threw away a lot of money. I think this is what makes many students feel stressed out and overwhelmed, and consumed with these feelings at that. College is supposed to be the best years of your life, but it is hard to see that when the education system is so heavily affiliated with money. I appreciate this post more than you know as it shows how much you truly care about your students and that you understand their struggles. All you do for your students does not go unnoticed and it is part of what makes you such an incredible professor.
Dr, Martin
This your blog post shows your deep concerns regarding the current state of higher education, the growing costs that students face, and the shift towards a more business type of academia. The insights you provided about the the challenges students face, with the financial burden of education placed on students, and its impact on their overall well-being are not only eye opening but the truth as well. Education today is stressed and a necessity to even have a chance to be looked at for most jobs. The cost is also growing every year and a huge financial burden on many families. Often times the student is paying for their education as well. I just don’t see how a broke college student whos’ full time job is getting a degree is supposed to carry the burden of putting themselves thousands of dollars in debt.
In the blog you put emphasis on the significant spike in the cost of higher education. It’s distressing to witness students struggling with the need to have multiple jobs, all of that on top of having good grades is very tough. As a student athlete we basically have two full time jobs already, our sport and our grades, because you cant have one without the other. This blog post in particular resonates well with me and I appreciate that other people share the same insights with me as well.
The pressure of getting a degree in todays age can be a lot and I think more light needs to be shined on this topic. There is so much pressure to do good no matter what you are going through in your personal life. Everyone appreciates a professor that is conscious of this and allows for breaks or make up work. I appreciated this post as it shows you do truly care for your students and the opportunities you give your students as well. These things do not do unnoticed.
Dr. Michael’s been caught up in the grading and blogging whirlwind but managed to sneak in a break with some Panera squash soup – a brief escape from home, school, and lively classrooms. Lately, he’s been into military films, sparked by reflections on global conflicts.
Amidst the hustle, Dr. Michael shares personal stories, like his memorable 2019 Moscow visit, gracefully navigating the complex Middle East landscape. Heartfelt talks with students reveal shifting perspectives on college life, colored by the weight of financial strains.
Passionate about pushing back against the rising costs of education as a business, Dr. Michael has become a strong advocate for the lasting value of a well-rounded education. Introducing an extra credit assignment, he encourages students to share reflections in nature, unveiling not just academic but personal struggles.
With genuine concern, Dr. Michael reflects on the potential downsides of education turning into a business, fearing its impact on shaping informed citizens. Grounded in gratitude for mentors and drawing from his humanities major background, he rededicates himself to cultivating an environment where students not only survive but truly thrive. With warm thanks, Dr. Michael sets forth on the ongoing journey of education, one personal connection at a time.
Dear Professor Dr. Michael
As the semester comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your impactful teaching. Your guidance has extended beyond English, enriching my understanding of life itself. Your unique approach to education has made a lasting impression, and I am truly grateful for the wisdom and insights you’ve shared.
Wishing you the best of luck as you embark on the journey of asynchronous teaching. I have no doubt that your passion and dedication will continue to inspire students like myself. Thank you for everything, and I hope our paths cross again in the future.
Warm regards, Xander Velez
After reading this blog post I took into heavy consideration how mentally draining it must be to be a college professor. I have gained a lot of respect for you especially as today leaving your classroom was going to be one of the last times I will be seeing you for some time. There is a balance in the life of education and it is challenging to be handed so much work as your writing class is a heavy amount of work. I am sure as you are non stop grading and reading papers life can become extremely overwhelming for you even though this is what you love to do. I started to notice how descriptive your grading was going to be when I noticed my grades were going into the B’s and C’s range. It was a rude awakening for me as I always thought writing was my strongest suite even though it turns out writing has a lot more to it than the way I was taught. We all balance the way we live our education lives as well as social lives too. For me I am very determined to be a busy person, I freak out when I do not have things to accomplish. I am a more independent person so I spend my time working at either my job at home or the one here that I have in Bloomsburg, working on assignments, going to dance practice, working out at the gym, and most importantly spending time with my loved ones and friends. As I am a new freshman in college this experience has been an emotional roller coaster for me as it is a lot to be doing at once as well as how much is expected of you as a college student. That is why I have a great amount of respect for you as you have been one of the most important people that have been a part of my life. Thank you for understanding how and why we are stressed out and taking into consideration that we do have a life outside of college classes as some professors seem to forget. I am more than thankful to have taken this course especially since you are leaving so soon as we have only spent such little time together out of one semester. This class will forever benefit me and I am going to miss it tremendously as this was one of the only classes to ever make me feel worth something. I have gained a lot of knowledge from your words and the way you teach.
Dr. Martin,
Your recent blog post poignantly captures the evolving challenges in higher education, intertwining global conflicts with the struggles faced by today’s college students. As you take a break from the commenting and grading marathon, your reflections on military-based films set a tone that echoes the complexities of navigating conflicting narratives in the broader world.
Your observations on the changing perception of college among students today shed light on the economic burdens they bear. The significant increase in the cost of education over the years is starkly contrasted with the diminishing value students perceive in their college experience. The disillusionment expressed by students about the value of general education courses and their perception of college as a business transaction raises thought-provoking questions about the current state of higher education.
Your commitment to engaging students in real-world exercises, such as the emotion-sharing activity, sheds light on the overwhelming stress and anxiety prevalent among them. The personal touch in your teaching approach, encouraging students to step outside and reflect, provides a glimpse into the compassionate and dedicated educator you are.
The heart of your message lies in the plea to reconsider the business-driven model of education. You eloquently emphasize the erosion of the real purpose of education, turning it into a means to an end rather than a transformative journey. Your own narrative, shaped by mentors who modeled the importance of critical thinking, showcases the impact educators can have on shaping thoughtful and successful individuals.
As you express gratitude to your advisors and mentors, your words echo the sentiment that education is not just about earning a credential but about changing lives. Your journey from Dana to Michigan Tech and beyond exemplifies the lifelong commitment to learning and teaching, embodying the essence of education as a profound and reciprocal process.
Best,
Olivia
Dr.Martin,
I feel as if I was drawn to this blog after reading your comment on my active learning post in the coffee shop board. I really appreciate your perspective on cost of education, I think the amount we pay for school is stressful and scary. I constantly think about the student loans I will have to pay for college when I am finished. I am very thankful for the scholarships I earned for college but they are not enough to cover the full cost forcing me to apply for financial aid. Personally I am not only worried about paying for college but I am also now worried about helping my husband pay the mortgage and other bills for the house while attending school. It does not help either that I go to college two and a half hours away.I did managed to land a job while at school in a physical therapy place so that I don’t only earn money but I also get my patient contact hours for grad school.
Now that I mention grad school, I’ve been looking at colleges that have what I am interested in. let me tell you, the amount I am going to be paying makes me just want to end with my bachelors degree but I am too stubborn to give up my dream. I just keep thinking I will pay it back later but this causes me to have slight anxiety. I do view school in a way that I am paying so I am going to try to get the most that I can out of it. I think also viewing college the way that you do is something I should reinforce in myself. I need to think that I can change peoples lives and mine as well, if I indulge into my education a little bit more. I have been told countless of times by many individuals that college is a starting point but you only learn so much, you learn what you really need to know and do on the job. For example, I talked to one of my PAs while at a doctors visit about school, she told me that a class like organic chemistry really isn’t going to get me anywhere and I will learn mostly everything on the job. Though I very much disliked organic I still understand it was a basis of the upcoming classes I will be taking such as biochemistry.
I also commend you for allowing your students to get a breath of fresh air and write about how they feel. You allowed them to be heard in some way even if they did not think so in the moment. Not only did you do that, but you also developed a learning experience out of the situation. I wish some of the science professors I have at school were more understanding when us students get overwhelmed. The one professor I had this past semester allowed for revisions of our lab reports as well as extensions on them. She allowed this because most of the time the lab reports were due the same time we had to study for one of her exams, so we were always cramming studying. I was very appreciative of her because I am one that needs to study to really grasp the material. Students always will remember those little notions, especially how you allowed for them to be able to obtain extra credit through expressing themselves. They will forever appreciate you for that little gesture for trying to understand how they feel and how draining college can be for them.
-Alexis Schleef
Alexis,
Thank you for your thoughts about this post. It was an important, and yet difficult post to write. It was difficult because it helped me realize some of the significant issues that are happening to students on a regular basis. I think there is so much we could do to reconsider the role of education in our country, in society. The politicization of education in this country does not bode well for what is coming, I believe.
Again, there is a lot here to unpack, and I appreciate your thoughtful response.
Dr. Martin
Hello Dr. Martin,
I first want to start off by thanking you for your service. While reading this blog, I had several emotions throughout. When you started off by talking about how your everyday life has been the past few weeks, it made me realize that professors have a busy life and large work load compared to what most students actually think they do. I can relate to the way you go through genres of movies as well. I am currently in my Christmas movie phase, but last time I was into criminal justice/forensics.
As you talked about college pricing and how the Commonwealth is considered one of the more financial adequate universities around I can defiantly relate to this topic. As I am currently doing dual-enrollment with Bloomsburg my senior year, I am also in the process of my college search. After looking at several schools, when I thought I found the one for me, the price was going to be too much and I had to go back to the drawling board. I am currently trying to find a balance of a college that has the things I want and am looking for but is also financial reasonable. The wide variety of prices between colleges too, cause a large amount of stress added to the already stressful admissions process.
I defiantly agree that the price of college is an added stress and has become a big issue, however, I feel that the FASFA also adds a lot of stress for students who are form the middle/upper class background. My parents make enough money that I won’t be able to receive any money from the government in that sense to help pay for college. The problem with this is that for students like me, who are responsible for paying for college themselves don’t get the help paying for college then.
I really appreciate that you look at the students lives and are able to notice that many college students are struggling and things like the stress of bills and debt is effecting their education. One thing my parents have always said is that yes, they want me to have a job but school should always come first. However, for many college students that’s not even an option for them, they have to prioritize work and school comes second. I still remember during my first college class, the day of our midterm, our professor passed out the exam but noticed the stress of the students after realizing they were underprepared, so he recollected the test and instead had the students work together to talk about their stressors in life and then write about their common stressors. The feeling of relief that filled the room that day was astatic and was something that lingered on through the end of the semester. That day, was a turning point in the way I felt about college and professors, especially. Going into college you’re told that your professors don’t care about how you are doing, but that made me realize that many do care. What you did that day for your class is amazing and defiantly altered the mindset of several of your students. That just shows that you were there for your students, not only to enhance their education, but for their wellbeing and success as well. You are defiantly fulfilling those wise words of your father.
Thanks for all you do,
Olivia Kadryna
Olivia,
Thank you for your reflective and thoughtful response. When I first worked on that blog it was around midterm, and my students, particularly the freshmen, were overwhelmed and frightened. While I believe some stress can peak ones energy, when the stress is not handled, it is consequential in a much more negative fashion. Again, we are humans too, and when I hear of a colleague who tells their students no one will earn more than a 50% on an exam, I immediately finding myself asking two questions: first, did not not teach the material adequately enough that someone should be able to pass the exam regardless its difficulty? If you have managed the material in a manner that students can absorb it, saying something about your exam as such should not be necessary. And if you taught it adequately, and no one can pass, then either it is a poorly written exam or you are being an ass. It should not be our goal for students to fail.
I agree with much of what you have written. That definitely word is definitely an issue here.
Dr. Martin
Dr. Martin,
The topic of this blog post could very well reach the audience of any generation, for I think everyone today can see how much has changed in the world of universities. The price of tuition for any university today is a real problem to be dealt with. Nothing should have an inflated price of %2400 in fifty years. It is definitely an issue I see with many classmates and friends that struggle to fully focus the needed amount on their education because they are more so worried about their bills for tuition and rent, because money is always on the forefront to deal with and it affects every inch of your livelihood. It is no coincidence that the price of tuition today is matched with a steady decline in student enrollment, which has only drastically worsened since the events of COVID-19. How can we rely on high quality education at these unreasonable prices? The real problem is that when trying to fix these issues of cost, the discussion can turn very political very fast, which does not leave any room for any real progression or possible solution being made to this problem.
At the same time, I myself, have noticed the change in students mentality today, and the common lack of effort in classrooms. College used to be a place where people attended because they WANTED to further their education out of real interest and desire, and now it feels more so than not, the real reason one might be at a university is out of obligation, expectation, or necessity to secure a job after obtaining a degree. When did people lose curiosity and drive and passion for education? Personally, I think the development of modern technology, specifically social media and the constant access to a smart phone screen at all times of day, have had a negative and numbing affect on young minds, and to no surprise have grown the rate of depression and anxiety in younger generations. This is not a healthy state when young people are at points in their lives where they are trying to figure out who they are and what they want.
I will say that sometimes certain professors do not make it any easier for you, but along the way, it is refreshing when you get some professors, like Dr. Martin, yourself, who truly care about what they do and care about their students themselves, and it only makes all the difference.
Dr. Martin,
Reading someone from an older generation than my own discuss the problems within the higher education system is incredibly refreshing. As students, it is easy to overlook the fact that professors know how different it is to be a student now compared to their own experience. I find it incredibly frustrating to think about higher education within the context of a transactional and business operation. I think that is what makes college so stressful for students. It’s a combination of being told they will be the best four years of your life and trying to find the truth in that, the stress from actual classes and the work associated with them, and the knowledge that every class you take is costing you thousands.
I have an on-campus job at the rec center rock wall and work for QUEST on campus. While I enjoy what I do for both jobs, they still take up an average of 35-40 hours a week. I need those jobs, but I lose so much time that I could be focusing on school. For me, Bloomsburg was the least expensive option. I am trying to graduate early to save some money that I would otherwise have to put toward housing or other fees, and I feel so much stress from the packed schedule that I need to maintain to accomplish my goals.
I find your reflections on past students in classes extremely thoughtful and fair. I will admit to having been the person to complain about general education classes. I think a part of me will always be bitter about having to take classes irrelevant to my major and still having to pay the same steep price. I do understand the reasoning behind a general education program, but it is hard to forget the price tag that comes with it. I appreciate your kind thoughts and understanding for students who have complained or been rude when it comes to foundational classes they deem pointless. It takes a secure individual to not take that personally and respond in kindness instead of punishment.
As a humanities major, your thoughts really spoke to me. I am in college to learn about myself and the people that are all around me. I want to enjoy the experience of learning and being forced to confront my weaknesses and biases as I do so. Your tone and actions have made me respect you even more as both a professor and an individual outside of academia. I see the care that you have for your students, and it will be remembered.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness,
Lily Kachel
Dr. Martin,
After reading your blog post, I have a profound amount of respect for you as a professor and as a person in general. I feel that most professors and people don’t understand the difficulties of balancing life and school and how mentally it’s very challenging. Throughout my life I have always had difficulties with balancing school and my personal life because some way they always involved each other. Going into college has made my mental health decline because of the stress that balancing school does to me personally. My high school never prepared me for college, they only prepared me for the workload that was going to be put on me.
I can also agree that it is unnecessary for the high cost just for entry, but there no guarantee that you will find your place at all in a new place. It’s disheartening to see the high cost and not seeing professors trying to speak and educate students about the balance of personal life and work life.
Hi Dr. Martin,
I enjoyed reading you post, it was very insightful. I can relate to your past students with the emotional hardships and financial struggles. I feel, many but not all professors do not understand the new struggles with finances. Previous generations did not have to pay the extremely high prices for higher education, like you stated. Due do the price increase many students are trying to manage there time between school, work, going home to see family, and free time just for them to relax. I personally struggle with this and have been lucky to have a few professors who were very understanding and other professors that were not. Some of these professors were very helpful and gave me ideas of how to manage my time better. When I first got to college I struggled a lot and reflecting on my high school days made me realize how they never taught us time management properly. I am very appreciative for the professors who helped me and I wish there were more professors like them.
I am a first generation college student for my family. It is very difficult because my parents do not know how to help me since they did not go to college. They try to help me the best they can and they are very supportive. However, due to the unnecessary costs of higher education I still have to have a job to pay bills, get groceries, gas money to travel home to see my family, and other necessities. With all of my past struggles I had contemplated dropping out of college and dreaded still being in college, but with all the support I have I know I can do it. With that being said, how you referred back to your fathers words is truly inspiring and reminded me why I wanted to go to college and get a degree in the medical field. I’m grateful that I choose this blog post to read and I’m thankful for you for sharing your experiences!
Cassidy Makray