Looking back to high school I was always told that I should not expect my college professors to actually care about me, what I do, or what my grade will be. But in my Junior year of college, I looked back and realized that some of my professors were the opposite. They did care. But by caring, some babied their students and handed out good grades. I realized that in much of my college career I cheated myself. I had found loopholes to get good grades and pass the class. But did I actually learn anything worthwhile?
Now I shouldn't complain about getting good grades right? I'm going to let you in on a little secret...I don't remember much about most of the courses I was enrolled in. Of those classes, I had professors that focused more on lifting us up and not "hurting our feelings". They encouraged us by handing out A's. Rather than actually having high expectations for us as college students, they gave grace for late assignments, they gave participation points for just showing up, (I admit I am grateful that for some classes this is a thing). But if you actually quizzed me on what I learned over the whole of the course I'm not too sure I'd do very great.
I'm thankful for the professors that didn't baby us. They had a set deadline and they stuck to it. This forced us as students to learn the importance of actually being on time with deadlines. They didn't hand out participation points just because you showed up. You actually had to SPEAK! You had to do your readings before class in order to be a part of the conversation and... Big shocker; you actually learned a lot from doing outside readings.
You have to remember that when you attend college, there is someone who is paying for it. Don't use this time to only be social (although this is very important)! Take the time to actually apply yourself to your class. Some classes are boring and may seem pointless, but it does teach you something. It may just teach you that this is one career path that you will never go into. But don't limit yourself.
You will have a different opinion your thoughts about this will change, which they should! I'm a ministry major so the majority of my assignments are essays and exegesis' of passages in the Bible. As a nursing student or engineer student you really have no room to make mistakes. But I encourage you to not look for the loopholes in the system. Don't cheat yourself like I did for the longest time.
I'm thankful for the professors who didn't baby me. They taught me more than any textbook ever could.
