Here's a regular forum from the NYT. Room for Debate is fabulous on-line discussion pertaining to a hot topic. This RFD is all about how college freshman have changed over the years. What are your thoughts? There are seven perspectives to read, so comment on three or four. They are short but quite interesting. I know I was most intrigued by Babcock's insights.
And some awesome reads from Max.
These are both from ESPN. Still, the first one--which is a Simmon's article--is very relevant in terms of how "reporting" is done nowadays with Twitter. Also, he's always an entertaining read.
The second article is just very well written and a fascinating profile of a huge referring blunder.
This is another article like the last one, and it's pretty old, but I stumbled across it recently and it is one of the best pieces of sports writing that I've read.
1 comment:
RFD:
"Students Are Different Now" by Linda Bips
This perspective underrates all incoming college freshmen. It makes all of these students out to be immature, coddled, and weak people that can't take the academic pressures of college. I think this is wrong. I do think that Bips raises a good point with the use of medicine for emotions, but I think she isn't thinking about the entire situation. I disagree when she says "I don’t believe that the college experience itself is more intense today than the past 10 years" becuase it is. Just think about how much harder it is to get into college these days than 10 years ago, and then apply that same kind of drive and competition into a classroom! I think that Bips isn't opening her eyes to the intensified pressures of academics today, and yes in some cases there are students who have been comforted and papered by their parents, but no all of us have!
"Pressure to Text Mom"by Barbara Hofer
I agree much more with this opinion than I do with Bip's. In fact, when in the information session with Middlebury, this exact research was brought up about the frequency of students contacting parents. This number of calls, texts, emails a week is pretty absurd and does play a part in the developing identity of a college student. I think this perspective makes much more sense becuase I don't think the intensity of the academics has THAT much to do with this, but the increase in technology of communication does. This advance is something that can't be overlooked in today's generation because it is the major difference between today and 10 years ago.
"What Else Can WE Do" Stephen Joel Trachtenberg
This article really doesn't clearly state an opinion. It contradicts the two earlier articles and almost says "we should be more sympathetic for young students." I think this is the wrong attitude and I don't really agree with this article. First of all, it doesn't make complete sense, and second of all, it says that the help that students need is not always voiced. This may be true in large universities, but most of the time, parents, friends, advisers, etc are there to hear complaints and help. In a way, this fact supports Bip's argument. I think that this article is taking pity college students, when I personally think this isn't necessary. I think that students can cope with this stress and in order to mature, they don't need any more mothering.
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