The first two years of my college experience were filled with challenges. At 22, I was a married father trying to balance my studies and family life. Juggling coursework and work obligations, I often found myself dozing off on buses, waking up in unfamiliar places. Even though I wasn’t a typical student, I gained valuable skills in learning and research during that time.
Now, working in academia within a Division I athletics program, I’ve observed that many freshmen and sophomores appear to put in far less effort than I did. I know this sounds like the classic “I had to walk uphill both ways” story, but it’s true. For instance, during my freshman composition class, I had to write a 25-page research paper—an assignment I rarely see today, even after seven years in higher education. A recent study has confirmed my suspicions that college may be becoming less rigorous.
The findings presented in the book Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses examined 3,000 full-time students across 29 campuses. Using the Collegiate Learning Assessment, a standardized test measuring critical thinking and writing skills, the results were concerning. In the first two years, 45% of students demonstrated no significant improvement in learning. By their junior and senior years, that number dropped slightly to 36%. This leads one to ponder the real value of a college education.
As someone who has supported higher education for years, I find these results troubling. Compounding the issue is that students in this study averaged a GPA of 3.2, indicating they may be coasting through their courses without truly engaging with the material.
It raises questions about whether high schools are better preparing students than colleges. Some students enter my university with almost a year of college credits while others struggle with reading skills. Are colleges simplifying curricula to boost enrollment and graduation rates? This theory seems plausible, especially given the significant increase in student numbers coupled with limited funding over the last two decades.
According to reports, many instructors focus more on their research than on teaching. As a result, many students become distracted, often seen scrolling through social media during lectures. Additionally, introductory classes are frequently taught by adjunct professors—recent graduates who often juggle multiple teaching jobs and lack the commitment to any one institution. This approach may save money for universities, but it can negatively impact student engagement and accountability.
It’s clear that college today is different from what it once was. Alarmingly, 50% of students in the study reported never taking a course where they wrote more than 20 pages in a semester, while 32% never had a class requiring more than 40 pages of reading each week.
Another factor not addressed in this study is the role of the Internet in shaping students’ learning habits. With numerous apps and websites providing class notes and summaries, the traditional approach of studying from textbooks seems less essential than before.
So, does this indicate that college is a complete waste of money? I wouldn’t go that far. There are certainly students who might thrive more in vocational training than in a traditional college setting. Nevertheless, I believe there is still value in higher education, though significant issues must be resolved before it can regain its former prestige.
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In summary, while college may still offer some advantages, the effectiveness of education is increasingly being called into question. The shift in focus and rigor could leave many wondering about the true value of a degree in today’s world.
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