The end of the semester is upon us, and the biannual tradition of “locking in” has begun. Maybe you’re skipping a lecture so you can study for the exam for that class, which somehow makes perfect sense when you decide to do it. Or you found the motivation to go to the lecture, but you’re using that valuable time to write a paper for a different class. I can’t judge, I just did exactly that. We all do seemingly contradictory things in an effort to maintain our GPAs and secure our futures, but do we have to? 

When I was in the planning phase of this article, my idea was that classes are structured in a way that is not conducive to the success of the student. Most classes build incrementally throughout the semester, with smaller assignments spread throughout and then culminating in a large assignment that is worth a significant portion of the final grade. In my experience, this results in a snowball effect where the pressures from classes compound on each other and lead to excessive stress in the final weeks. So it is the classes’ fault! Well, no.

In reality, we can’t lower academic expectations just to reduce stress on students. A political science student should be able to write a 20-page paper on a topic they have been researching all semester. An anatomy student should be able to memorize each of the muscles, nerves, arteries, and bones in the thoracic cavity. There should be a high expectation for students so that we have qualified professionals. So is it the students’ fault? Maybe.

Each assignment is laid out at the beginning of the semester in the class syllabus. Every student should know exactly what is expected of them from the very first class period. There shouldn’t be any surprises. Yet here we are at the end, and the deadlines and the requirements have seemingly come out of nowhere. If students were solely focused on their academics, none of this would be an issue. Unfortunately, a life dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge in a single subject is not the life of the modern student.

I don’t think the issue is that modern students are just lazy or soft. I believe that the life of a modern university student is somewhat incompatible with the existing school structure. Students have a laundry list of expectations outside of their academic responsibilities. Many students, especially at EMU, tend to have more than one major. They are involved in athletics, clubs, organizations, and student government. It is common for students to have multiple jobs to alleviate the financial burden that university presents. At EMU, we have a large number of commuter students who have responsibilities that have nothing to do with school. Increasingly competitive job markets encourage students to take on extra responsibilities in an attempt to become more valuable candidates, often to the detriment of their mental health.

So, if it isn’t the fault of the class structure, and it isn’t just because students are lazy, then how do we solve this incompatibility? Affordable higher education would go a long way, but obviously, that is a bit out of our hands. At an individual level, I think it is important to hold yourself accountable and not just put the blame on evil professors who want to see their students suffer. When you shift blame, you also relinquish a level of autonomy that is crucial to bettering your own circumstances. So, this exam season, I encourage you to remember the power you have over your own situation.