Tarik Thompson: No Parents, No Rules, It's All On You!
In Keith Parson’s blog, “Message to My Freshmen Students”, he expresses that upon returning to teaching a freshman course, most of his students are not as they had been characterized. Parsons outlines in his speech the differences between the students’ high school teachers and university professors.
He points out that the university has professors who lecture and put the knowledge before you without their monetary compensation being linked to the students’ success or failure. In short, Parsons asserts that students must be responsible for the own knowledge and that the high school curriculum does not adequately prepare students by focusing more on test-taking and less on listening skills. Ultimately, the students are accountable for their actions and decision-making.
It is the student's’ responsibility to handle their business. There is no one to push the students or to make them do anything. Therefore, it is the each student’s responsibility to encourage and motivate himself to do what is best for his life. Professor Parsons is trying to prepare students for class so that they will know what to expect from him.
As a college freshman with a sense of independence and a large amount of time, the transition can be quite difficult. Parsons states, “My job is to lead you to the fountain of knowledge. Whether you drink deeply or gargle is entirely up to you. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-m-parsons/message-to-my-freshman-st_b_7275016.html . This is a very accurate statement. Students choose to attend college. No one is forcing anyone to attend college.
It is the professor’s job to give the information to the student and the student’s job to learn, absorb, and apply that information. We live in a world where there are so many options to explore so we must not waste time. We must think outside of the box if we are going to be leaders in the next millennium. We must learn to listen critically as well as adopt good test-taking skills to be very well-rounded students. We must close the cultural difference gap between the professors and the students.
Parsons emphasizes that “when you go to a university, you are in a sense going to another country, one with a different culture and different values. I have come to realize the biggest gap between you and me is a cultural difference.”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-m-parsons/message-to-my-freshman-st_b_7275016.html . Students must value and respect the hard work and educational breakthroughs that those before us have contributed to society. In so doing, we must give others credit for their work by learning the proper way to cite the work of others.
Parsons also states, “I am not held responsible for your failures. On contrary, I get paid the same whether you get an “F” or an “A”. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/keith-m-parsons/message-to-my-freshman-st_b_7275016.html . Being responsible is the key point. From this point forward, as young adults and college freshmen, we must own our failures as well as our success. By becoming accountable, students will be entering the real world on the path to a bright and successful future.