*rant* about today's college students

**Jenibelle** · 10-13-2009, 01:26 PM

this can be moved if its not in the right forum, but i thought this was the best place for it.

First of all, I would like to say that this does not apply to all college students out there. There are some who are very financially savvy and frugal that (I was one of those students, so maybe that is why this bothers me so much). A little background information: 2 years ago I was in college living off of very little, now I am employed by a University as an athletic coach and deal with roughly 10 athletes on a daily basis. One of my biggest pet peeves is that one of them will not be able to practice due to having to work to pay for school. I get that it is necessary to have a job and i'm not telling them not to, but I'm asking for 3 hours of your time each day and they've known the schedule since August. Now here is what bothers me the most...they have to work work work to pay for school...but is it really school they are paying for? They all drive newer cars, I know most of them have higher insurance due to speeding tickets that I hear about all the time, they dress in name brand clothing, they go out to the bars every weekend, and most feel it is necessary to live by themselves instead of having roommates. I don't consider any of those costs of school. If you truly have to work to pay for school then I will work around your schedule, but if you are working to pay for a weekend full of drinking down at the bars with your friends that's another story! *end rant* sorry just needed to get that out!

**Pianolady** · 10-13-2009, 01:37 PM

This was true with college students when I was in school 25 years ago. It seems a rite of passage to have to learn things the hard way for some people. All you can do is have consequences for these actions, and hope they learn.

**frugalfranny** · 10-13-2009, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jenibelle

One of my biggest pet peeves is that one of them will not be able to practice due to having to work to pay for school. I get that it is necessary to have a job and i'm not telling them not to, but I'm asking for 3 hours of your time each day and they've known the schedule since August.

But aren't there consequences for 'not practicing'? Let them know this up front...FIRST DAY...and go from there. Maybe if they sit on the sidelines enough they will learn and either adjust their priorities/drop out/or whatever......at the very LEAST they will have learned that there are consequences to every choice we make in life.........some good....some bad!

been there....done that......made my choices...and learned!

**lotsadebt** · 10-13-2009, 03:08 PM

If some are there on a scholarship even a partial, isn't practice mandatory? At that point isn't it like a job that you are being paid by the university? I say bust them.

**mauimagic** · 10-14-2009, 12:26 AM

Sounds like a frustrating situation - unfortunately some athletes are treated like the 'chosen' ones by too many groups - parents, alumni, etc.

Jenibelle - you have your priorities straight - too bad they (and sometimes their parents) don't!!

**Jenibelle** · 10-14-2009, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

But aren't there consequences for 'not practicing'? Let them know this up front...FIRST DAY...and go from there.

Yes, there are consequences, and they sign an agreement with me at our first team meeting & they all know my "student-athlete hierarchy" 1. Faith & Family 2. Education 3. Athletics 4. Employment 5. Outside Activities

Sometimes they still think it doesn't apply to them, especially when they are seniors. Don't worry actions have been taken, and will continue to be taken on this matter.

**$Christine$** · 10-14-2009, 09:54 PM

THANK YOU!!!

At first I was scared to open this being a college student and all but I am glad I did. I have been ranting to my husband about this since my freshman year. Everyday I have to sit in class and listen to kids come up with excuses on why their paper that they have known about for weeks isnt done. "Oh I was tired" "oh I didnt have time"! It really bugs me!

I work two jobs, go to school, and cook and clean for my husband.Also I am part of 2 Student Orgs (head of fundraising for 1) and manage to maintain a 3.0. (the only reason why its not higher is my husbands sister died last semester 2 days before all my finals) I have been financially independent since I was 18. It bugs me too that all these kids are blowing money on clothes and partying when I am working my butt off to pay for "crazy" things like rent and groceries. Then after class I get to go to work and listen to kids brag that they only work this job to buy beer or i listen to kids complain about needing money then asking their buddies what bar they are going to tonight. Its so irritating!!!

I wish I could just go to school and worry about class and the bar but I cant why? because i am an adult.

**forHISglory** · 10-14-2009, 11:22 PM

Previous poster is correct; this is an old problem and was a problem in the '60s when I was in college. And no denying: it is still a problem today. We may never eradicate the problem, but people like the OP are precious commodities. It takes strong people to buck the patronizing system, and I appreciate your stand. As a college teacher for over 2 decades, I have seen and heard exactly what you describe. Just keep to your convictions and make them toe YOUR line. Coddling and excuses will not bring on responsible and mature adults!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 10-15-2009, 04:26 AM

I hear ya! My Dh and I are both college students (this is his last semester) and I am always aghast at the spending habits of most college students. Probably half the people in each of my classes come in with either a drink from the vending machine or a coffee drink from the Starbucks (yes, there is one IN the building - one of FOUR on our campus!!!). I don't know what people are thinking?!?!

Of course, I get a bit of ribbing for always having a pb & j sandwich for my lunch while my friends are eating from the places on campus. Uh, TOO expensive!! DUH!! Oh well...they'll learn...

**Siebrie** · 10-15-2009, 08:04 AM

I went back to university after some years in the workforce. I was not entitled to any grant (the Dutch system....), so I paid full price; AND I was nearly the only one who did homework! Some days I was very po'd by my fellow students when during a book discussion I found that none of them had actually read the book, and the 'discussion' was just me and the teacher talking.

**ml2620** · 10-15-2009, 08:34 AM

My parents paid my tuition in college, but that was it. Room and board, booksn food and clothing was my responsibility. I remember being so angry about my mean parents not supplying a car, clothes, spring break vacations, etc.

And then I graduated without student loans and had the skills to stay frugal. I bought my first home at 26. Ten years later, those friends with cars, etc. Are still paying student loans!

It was tough. I even thought pb&j was too expensive and lived on bulk oatmeal and ramen noodles. But I am forever grateful to my parents.

**peanut** · 10-16-2009, 12:47 PM

Thanks for posting this. I am a parent of two university aged kids. One started with a feeling of entitlement and is many thousands of dollars in debt with an unfinished degree at this moment...and married to a DH in the same boat...with a nice secondhand (granted) Toyota they bought with a line of credit! They have finally, thankfully, seen the frugal light and are reforming their ways. Still...

Next daughter wants to do the same, but we are telling her to watch out! Money is hard to pay back at just over minimum wage. And I'm not sure a Creative Writing degree will earn her the money she needs to pay back the huge amount student loans wants to give her.

She has figured out the grant system though, and has a grant for this year. But it in no way covers her costs! Maybe her books and a bit of tuition, but that's it.

She has decided it probably wouldn't be bad to get into the frugal thing. She's agreed she might be ready for TCTWG by Amy D.

Am I worried? You bet! I have two children headed for big time debt and I see no way their respective degrees (history and english) are going to earn them enough money to pay it off promptly to allow them a decent quality of life after graduation. I am concerned because my academically brilliant child has stopped her education due to debt. She might be academically brilliant, but she's also stubborn.

And that's what most parents face with teens heading into college/university...rebellion and stubbornness...and a sense of entitlement. Very dangerous combination...

**Inkstain82** · 10-19-2009, 07:16 AM

The more I think about it, the less convinced I am that our "everyone needs to go to college" mantra is doing our youngsters much good.

College is wonderful if you use it in a careful, thought-out manner and put the work in. If you treat it as four (or more) years of fun with a fun job at the end, you are in for a world of hurt (and a lifetime of student loan debt).

**MaryCarney** · 10-19-2009, 07:40 AM

Wow!!! Just thought I'd share our (so far successful) college plan. We've graduated two, two more teens in the pipeline.

First off, we have always emphasized going to college with the idea of getting your degree in something you can get a job with. None of this Art History stuff. If you want to study Art History, do it when you've finished college and have a job!

Second, we make a deal with our kids. Pick an appropriate major. Pick an affordable school Take all the CLEP and advanced placement tests you possibly can.

Third, graduate in the amount of time required (i.e. 2 years for an associates, 4 for a bachelors). Do all that and we will make sure you graduate debt free. Live at home while you do this, and we provide you with a car (a hand-me-down)

So far we have an RN and an aviation mechanic. DS is interested in respiratory therapy (if his career as a major league right-fielder doesn't pan out

) and DD#4 is interested in law enforcement.

I really bust it tp be able to do this, but giving my kids this start in life is very important to me.

**Inkstain82** · 10-19-2009, 07:46 AM

You are doing right by your kids, Mary. That's a fantastic plan.

Neither of my parents went to college, and neither had a whole lot of understanding about money, so their only mantra was "graduate college no matter what."

A pile of student-loan debt and a nearly worthless degree later, I wish I'd put a little more thought into it. But live and learn