When many kids go to college, they flunk out.

I remember when I came in to Kent State as a freshman and they told us look around, only about I in 3 of you are going to actually graduate. We looked at each other and thought surely that we were the one, and that kid next to me on either side were the ones who were not going to make it. I don't know what the passing/failing rates are these days, but it can't be much better.

Part of that is because kids don't know how to study. Oh I have met some brilliant kids who could read something, grasp it quickly, and then ace tests... in high school, But they found out going to college was a whole different ball game, ie you're in the big leagues now kid. Seemingly "smart" kids that got straight A's often flunked out. I believe the issue is largely good study habits, or lack thereof.

To many kids, high school was so dumbed down they never learned how to actually study, and they managed to excel "in their own way." I suppose part of that is the school's fault - here in MA we were told frankly 1+1 can equal 3 if the student could explain their feeling why it must be so. We were horrified but alas that is modern education in a public school system, where everyone feeling good about themselves is more important than actual learning. Sigh.

Yes, some kids think they are smart coming out of a system like this and when reality (college) hits them they are glazed-eyed and lost. But I had no such excuse, I actually got a real education even in high school where we were challenged and those who excelled by working hard in hard classes were rewarded and those who didn't got C's and D's. Imagine that today!

Still, I didn't know how to study. I'd never really learned how. And so I flunked out, I was one of those 2 out of three (perhaps the kid next to me WAS the one who made it!) It wasn't because I was dumb or lazy, I just couldn't handle it. Funny though, fast forward to when I was older and went back to college, a much more mature (hard to believe isn't it?) and wiser kid. I learned to study a little bit all the time. Amazing how well that works. Oh anyone can cram for a test, pass it, and then forget it. Instead of that, I actually rehearsed over and over the information until I knew it, I lived it, I loved it. Then when surprise quizzes and tests came -1 aced them all. No, my brain didn't grow bigger between being I S and then 26. 1 just learned... to learn.

Today we had a bible class. Those who came to it rehearsed a bit of the bible. Because we have good teachers, they most likely considered how the subject today can apply to their lives. Those who come to class often, and we have them Sunday morning AND Wednesday night, are those who know it, live it, love it - a little bit at a time. Those who come just for service, or don't put any real thought into it, are like kids who look out the window and draw pictures and daydream while the teacher talks. But one day, they will be asked a real question and unable to answer.

Harsh as this seems, let's look at this in plain terms. There are those who come to these classes and learn. They clearly live much happier and peaceful lives than those who do the minimal bit. Those who study know the answers, get the point, and excel. Those who do not may make excuses why they missed a question, but the bottom line is they get things wrong. When you stand before the teacher, the master, which student would you rather be? Will one get a passing grade with wrong answers, or flunk out?

Randy