daniel chigunwe
Latwell Nyangu
Youth Interactive Writer
Some students think they should be treated like kids at college.
But a serious learner knows that they need time to settle into any activity in which they want to succeed.
College students are legally considered adults and should be treated as such.
While there may be debates about the definition of adulthood based on maturity or brain development, it is essential to recognise that college students have the capacity for agency, responsibility, and growth.
By acknowledging their status as adults, students should create an environment that fosters independence, respect, and compassion while allowing themselves the space to learn from their experiences.
Some students think they should be treated like children.
And by that, even when it comes to assignments, they write whatever time they want. Some cannot even write the assignments on time. Some cannot even finish the exams and some are not even worried about writing critical and sensible things. I guess, they will be expecting the lecturers to write on their behalf or they feel, they should be treated like children.
Worse still, there are some who, even at home, act like they are children although they are college-going.
One thing that should be known is that once one starts going to college, one needs to show some degree of responsibility.
If you didn’t know, once you are a college student, more is expected from you.
This week I am taking a stroll in the field of those students who have a child mentality while at college. Hopefully, you had a wonderful Easter Holiday and you took full responsibility for everything you did.
College should not be a bubble that keeps young adults from the diversity of opinions in the “real world,” and anyone who thinks college students are children who need to have walls put up around them should realise they can’t possibly mature with those walls there.
A few days ago, I had a conversation with some colleagues who took me a little bit by surprise.
They said students are not adults. I generated a comical degree of side-eye and said something like, “I mean, if they can vote, do anything, and be tried as an adult, aren’t they?”
And then they said, “Well, technically, they are.” That said, I do think I am pretty much on the same page as my friends, as we ultimately interact with students in a similar way.
In the realm of academia, the notion that serious students will always succeed is a widely debated topic.
The characteristics and qualities that define an adult student are multifaceted, encompassing traits such as dedication, perseverance, and a strong work ethic.
While intelligence plays a role in academic achievement, it is often overshadowed by the importance of effective study skills, time management, and self-discipline.
As students progress through their first year in college, some may find relief by conforming to social expectations or by finding peers who share similar academic interests. Despite such responsibilities, some students still want to behave like children.
However, the underlying issue remains that the culture of colleges often prioritises social experiences over intellectual pursuits, leading to a disconnect for students who value learning above all else.
Without addressing this discrepancy between what campus life demands and what serious students seek from their educational experience, many bright individuals may continue to struggle emotionally during their college years.
The students should show that they are focused since at college no one will tell them to be focused.
Some students think the lecturers should do the college work for them. You see some delay in submitting their assignments without proper reasons.
They are always lagging behind when it comes to submitting assignments. Some even don’t write the assignments, and some submit for the sake of submitting.
Some write a page or half for an assignment that requires 100 marks. Fellow students, no one will do the tasks for you.
College life is about treating yourself as an adult.
When parents let us go to college, they also expect us to grow and be responsible.
Nothing is as annoying as a student who wants to be treated like a child. Every student should be organised in the manner that they need to be treated.
Many times, students give lecturers a hard time sorting out their mess. One thing, students should realise is that lecturers are also human beings.
Being a disorganised student shows a student doesn’t want to grow and this can significantly impact various aspects of academic life, leading to increased stress, procrastination, difficulty in studying late or missing assignments, and digital chaos.
Students who struggle with organisation may find themselves overwhelmed, unable to manage their time effectively, and facing challenges in locating study materials or completing assignments on time.
As a result, this shows that the students are not prepared to adapt. Despite the ambiguity in defining adulthood, there is a strong argument for treating college students as adults.
This approach involves setting high expectations, providing respect and agency, and fostering responsibility among students.
While there may be varying opinions on whether college students are fully adults based on traditional markers of maturity, it is essential to treat them with respect and provide opportunities for growth and responsibility. Until we meet for a toast, let’s be responsible.
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