The Sixty-Year-Olds Can Learn Something from the Twenty-Year-Olds Too

Written by the associate professor of the social work department, the observations from the lectures he taught to the goings on on campus, from the Front Page Sections, translated…

Last week, I’d invited the professors and students to a dinner, of the thirty professors and students who’d signed up, eighteen showed, and, it’s a record of being a professor for me. Last Friday, I’d given the tours of the libraries for the freshmen, as the thirty plus students walked over to the fourth floor, only seven remained. The morning sessions this past Monday, there was a twenty-percent absent rate, also a new record. On the noon of the 27^th, the school hosted a forum council on some students’ claims of their need for space, I was, one of the accused professors too.

Am I, disappointed of the students? Just a bit, but a whole lot? Definitely not!

Back in 1991, I’d become a teacher, and, would often drive the senior educator, professor, Jien-Ho Huang, he’d reminded me, “In my lectures, I don’t pay too much heed of the empty seats, but, as I saw those eyes, eager to learn, I’d felt, that I’m doing, something amazing.” And, for all of these looks, I’d, encouraged myself, to maintain the passions for teaching, and even as I was disappointed now and then, I still had high hopes for the pupils.

Last week, I’d also, scanned for the social workers who are to visit the families in need, I’d signed off on twenty two candidates, but, only thirteen had showed up. The interview forum discussed it a long time, only six of the candidates have the qualities we are looking for, the rest still needs the work.

Am I, disappointed of the younger generations of social workers? A little bit. Very much? Definitely NOT! These years, I’d carried high hopes for those graduates out of the social work department, hoping that they can become the top in serving those in need.

I’d received over 120 letters as the assignments I’d given to the class, I was having a good time, grading those, it’d, sparked my passions toward education. I shouldn’t feel disappointed over the twenty year olds, I was young too, I’d not wished to disappointed my elders, and now, I’m older, I should, grow alongside with the younger generations.

And so, there’s, NO doubt, that the quality of the students sitting in lecture halls in the colleges and universities aren’t as good as they once were, but the professors believed, that they should be glad, that the students are willing to show up, and that’s demanding the bare minimum of students, and, if you only make these minimalistic demand on your college students, how are they all going to make themselves better, and besides, showing UP in class IS your job, students, and you’re, all over eighteen, right, ADULTS???