The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.
-Vince Lombardi
Recently, I have read the blog post, “Message to My Freshman Students”, the blog was written by professor Keith Parsons. Parsons teaches a freshman course, “Introduction to Philosophy”; although this was his first time teaching a freshman class in many years. Parsons’ reason for writing this blog post was to tell what he interpreted from his past freshman class and how he will address his new incoming freshman students. Parsons feels as if the preparation of the students have to do with the teachers of their high school as well as the students themselves. Parsons believe that high school students were forced to focus on test prep and the teachers were “babying” them or guiding them every step of the way instead of letting the students them guide themselves. Parsons’ view on high school is not what your average freshman professor feels; he feels as if teachers and the school do not prepare the students for the transition of high school to college; the teachers were just following the curriculum instead of actually teaching the students. Parsons’ view on how well the students comprehend and listen to his lectures are as if the student was not taught how to critically listen, but instead hear and absorb the criteria versus thinking deeply about what is being said/heard during the lecture. Parsons concludes the blog post as if the students may feel like they’re going to a new country and are being taught a foreign language. He expresses this in a sense to the students as if they're going to be unprepared and lost in a “new world”; Parsons states that if the students only come to school to get their credentials and not obtain knowledge then the kids are going to have a hard four years in college and would be wasting their time. Parsons view on how teachers only prepared students for important-standardized test is outrageous. Yes, this statement is true but the teachers at my high school did a great job as a teacher and taught me well. From Biology to Calculus I learned a lot along the way that helped me prepare for the courses I take as a freshman college student. Even though teachers were there every step of the way whether it be to answer any question I may have had or be a mentor to me. Teachers served their purpose and many other things along with it. So, when Parsons felt like the teachers were being the “guide on the side “instead of the “sage on the stage”; he should ask the students which person they would prefer a professor or a teacher to teach the course. Also, Parsons is known to teaching upperclassmen classes; with that being said being that bold to a freshman class might be a little harsh. Saying things like “Hogwash, You need to learn to listen” or “I get paid whether you make an “F” or an “A” says to the students that you don’t really care about if the students receive the information or not Parsons just wants the money or Parsons doesn't care how you were taught you need to learn how to adjust to this method, even if the student doesn’t do well with that method of learning. Parsons way of how freshman should act and go with the flow is more like ‘Freshman Spring Semester’ or ‘Sophomore Year’ type of way because the students should be well adjusted to college by this time. When Parsons states that when freshman students arrive to college, they feel like they’re going to a “new world” and are going to be so unprepared and lost. As a freshman, I didn’t feel lost or unprepared when trying to find my classes or being prepared with my courses. The college I go to has an orientation program called SOAR (Southern’s Orientation, Advisement, and Registration). This program helped me prepare for the transition from high school to college; it was as if I was already at school. Though some students are unprepared and lost, those students may have a hard time adjusting being away from home and without their parents. When Parsons addressed that students who just come to college to get credentials and not enjoy or gain things from this experience will have obstacles in their way because they are only focused on getting their degree instead of learning, making mistakes, and everything else that comes with growing up and becoming an adult. 8/31/2015 11:20:56 pm
Yes, It seems like we do. The transition wasn't a drastic change. Although I believe there is a difference between high school and college courses, I agree with your point that it is not a very big change. Yeah my high school teachers prepared me for standardized tests, but I feel like they also prepared me for college. I also like your point about freshman students going to a "new world" because I never felt lost or unprepared. 9/1/2015 06:31:27 am
You are right about how not all high school teachers just prepared us for standardized tests. Some of my high school teachers prepared me for college especially in 12th grade. 9/1/2015 11:13:57 am
Kayla I agree with you that Parsons approach was a bit harsh for freshmen students. I can not say my teacher prepared me for college. Although I do know that there are teacher, like yours, that actually prepare their students for college. 9/1/2015 11:59:44 am
I totally agree with you, especially on college wasn't really a new world, because of SOAR. They taught us a lot, so that we wouldn't come here as lost freshmen. Comments are closed.
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AuthorMy name is Kayla Gordon and I am a Biology/Pre-Med Major at Georgia Southern University. ArchivesCategories |