In Keith Parsons’ blog post, “Message to My Freshmen Students”, he addresses how freshmen college students are unaware of the fact that they are solely responsible for their education and what they may or may not get out of that education.
Parsons wants beginning freshmen to realize that learning is their job, what they learn and how they learn is on them, it is their responsibility. Parsons believes the professor's job is only to lead the student to the knowledge that is waiting to be found, it is not the professor’s job to make sure the student learns or attains that knowledge. The student has the responsibility to learn to listen, states Parsons, but not just passively listen; they need to learn to critically listen.
Parsons claims that once students realize instructors will not babysit like in high school and the students learn to listen critically, they must understand and see that a course or class is an opportunity. Parsons reminds us that every class is full of opportunity and for various classes comes various forms of opportunity. Students must seek that available opportunity and possess the need or desire to reach that goal, states Parsons. As the student reaches the goal, they will begin to see their life change. They may see themselves change into mentally stronger and possibly a more driven person than before or they may see the world change. Parsons believes that as you gain knowledge and perspective, everything changes.
Parsons wants beginning freshmen to realize that learning is their job, what they learn and how they learn is on them, it is their responsibility. Parsons believes the professor's job is only to lead the student to the knowledge that is waiting to be found, it is not the professor’s job to make sure the student learns or attains that knowledge. The student has the responsibility to learn to listen, states Parsons, but not just passively listen; they need to learn to critically listen.
Parsons claims that once students realize instructors will not babysit like in high school and the students learn to listen critically, they must understand and see that a course or class is an opportunity. Parsons reminds us that every class is full of opportunity and for various classes comes various forms of opportunity. Students must seek that available opportunity and possess the need or desire to reach that goal, states Parsons. As the student reaches the goal, they will begin to see their life change. They may see themselves change into mentally stronger and possibly a more driven person than before or they may see the world change. Parsons believes that as you gain knowledge and perspective, everything changes.
I completely agree with Parsons as he emphasizes the fact that freshmen college students need to be responsible and realize that they are not in high school anymore, by stating that he is our “professor”, not our “teacher”.
While he can only speak for part and not the whole of beginning freshmen, the majority of these students are still in the mental mindset of high school. As a beginning freshman, I notice how these students expect the professors to hold their hand and help them every step of the way and while most professors are more than willing to help, hence the reason why they have office hours, they cannot and will not treat you like a child, because whether or not you want to admit or own up to it… you are an adult.
While in college, Parsons reminds us that “at university, learning is your job -- and yours alone.” Being an “adult” is not necessarily something I looked forward to, but getting older is not a choice; you must learn to accept the fact and move onto your new responsibilities. Adults are capable of making their own decisions. The student must make the decision to learn.
The student must learn how to critically listen by “question[ing] and evaluat[ing]” what is being said. I tend to try and find at least one good thing in every situation, therefore when I leave a class I should be able to recall at least one thing that I learned in the time spent sitting and listening. Doing so is part of growing as a person.
As a university student, I expect my professor to provide the information or lead me in the direction of where to find it. Parsons states that every beginning freshmen must understand that a class is more than just sitting in a room and learning, each class is an “opportunity”. Whether that opportunity is growth, knowledge or possibly both, there is always something to take away from that class time. Students must learn to turn the above ideas into goals and strive to attain them.
While he can only speak for part and not the whole of beginning freshmen, the majority of these students are still in the mental mindset of high school. As a beginning freshman, I notice how these students expect the professors to hold their hand and help them every step of the way and while most professors are more than willing to help, hence the reason why they have office hours, they cannot and will not treat you like a child, because whether or not you want to admit or own up to it… you are an adult.
While in college, Parsons reminds us that “at university, learning is your job -- and yours alone.” Being an “adult” is not necessarily something I looked forward to, but getting older is not a choice; you must learn to accept the fact and move onto your new responsibilities. Adults are capable of making their own decisions. The student must make the decision to learn.
The student must learn how to critically listen by “question[ing] and evaluat[ing]” what is being said. I tend to try and find at least one good thing in every situation, therefore when I leave a class I should be able to recall at least one thing that I learned in the time spent sitting and listening. Doing so is part of growing as a person.
As a university student, I expect my professor to provide the information or lead me in the direction of where to find it. Parsons states that every beginning freshmen must understand that a class is more than just sitting in a room and learning, each class is an “opportunity”. Whether that opportunity is growth, knowledge or possibly both, there is always something to take away from that class time. Students must learn to turn the above ideas into goals and strive to attain them.