In the era where grades matter more than morals, surprisingly the biggest challenge facing students today is the ability to learn. Something so fundamental has become our biggest issue. It might sound crazy, but in the attempt to achieve an outstanding GPA and, in some schools, the competition to achieve a higher rank, students seek out shortcuts instead of understanding the material.
We strive more for a number than the actual substance, being almost forced to know the bare minimum to be able to regurgitate just the right amount of information to reach these high standards. When entering college, students struggle to comprehend and apply the lesson taught.
It is astonishing how dependent we have become on the aid of our teachers’ handouts than their actual lectures. Tests have become a measure on how much we can memorize rather than a measure of intelligence. In all honesty, grades are worthless today. The only way to cure students of this socially inflicted plague is to eradicate grades all together and focus more on the character of the student. Anyone can cheat, but not everyone selflessly volunteers or has natural talents.
Employment reviews are a better indicator of work ethic than any test could produce. Less focus on grades will give the students the time and ease they need to actually absorb what is being said, a trait that is applicable for life in general.
