Educational drive among students ‘disheartening’

Recently, I’ve found a disheartening trend among my high school peers to brag about inadequacy in school. It seems my social media feed is full of pictures of 2 a.m. homework for assignments we all knew about for weeks and occasionally, failing course marks with captions like “LOL.” Certainly, I understand sometimes forgetting about assignments, but these posts are not far and few between; it’s every night, perpetuating the glorification of mediocrity.

For example, if you walk into any classroom, you’re bound to see more than one student frantically copying someone else’s work for their next period. Teachers see it, and because it would be impossible to crack down on every instance of such, they’re reduced to only rolling their eyes. Not trying in school is seen as relatable comedy, and I am left to wonder if education and academic achievement have always been perceived as having no significance.

I was recently in a class, and the absent teacher had assigned some simple book work. The kid next to me spent the entire period Googling the answers. I asked him why he didn’t try to do the reading, to just apply his attention for a small amount of time rather than mindlessly typing into Google. I reminded him that we had learned this in class; he’d know the answers if he just read the question and tried, and I would be willing to help him if he couldn’t understand something. He quickly dismissed me, saying that he was only taking the class to get the credit so he could graduate. He had no interest in understanding, and this took me by surprise. As I saw it, he was applying just as much effort as me, but only I was actually gaining something from it. I found myself repulsed by his lack of appreciation for free education, and I remain perplexed as to how my peers can’t seem to find value and empowerment in knowledge and critical thinking.

I hate to complain about the state of my generation as previous generations seem to have that covered. However, as a student with a passion for learning, as a friend who wants to see all of my peers live meaningful lives, I want to call attention to a negative student culture that is only providing excuses for kids to not reach their full potential. I want to go to a school where students collaborate and converse in order to further their understanding of classroom material, instead of mindlessly copying answers. I want to see competition among students to receive the highest marks on tests, rather than students jokingly high-fiving over D’s and F’s. I want to experience a culture that glorifies achievement and frowns upon laziness. More than anything, I want my peers to find value in learning because knowledge is power, and bonding with friends over mutual inadequacies is a waste of time that could otherwise be spent enhancing your education and ultimately, your life. FAITH STRAHAN

Farmington