I’ve heard the complaint hundreds of times: “My teacher cannot teach,” or “My TA doesn’t speak English.” As a Math tutor and former College Algebra TA, I find that a large number of FAU students readily blame various sources for their lack of success in school. Let’s face it, though, most FAU students fail or don’t do well because they have a mediocrity mentality.
If we sift through the blame throwing and the excuse making we will see a pervasive spirit of “if I don’t do well, it’s someone else’s fault.” Students blame the professor, the tutor, the smart student who keeps “messing up the curve,” the war on terrorism. The real reason is that students expect to be spoon-fed instead of taking education into their own hands.
Some time ago, I tutored a young lady in College Algebra. It became clear that she didn’t know what she was doing. Her excuse? She had a horrible instructor, and some Asian foreigner for a TA, and so she couldn’t understand anything. I asked her if she read the textbook: “You mean I’m supposed to read that?”
Regardless of the legitimacy of her evaluations of her teachers, her excuse had no merit. She was lazy-minded in her approach to learning.
This attitude of mediocrity takes on various forms. Does the statement, “I just want to pass this course” sound familiar? How about, “I’m not good at Math (or Physics or English)”? Here’s a good one: “My teacher doesn’t like me (or is unfair or lacks people skills, etc.).”
These statements are all hogwash. They don’t work in the real world, especially the “I’ll do the least required” line. Even if you’re hired, with that attitude your chances of promotion are slim at best. You may claim that your experience is quite legitimate, but the movers and shakers of this world don’t care. They look for over-comers, not wimps or whiners.
If you want to break out of the mediocrity mentality, here are a few suggestions:
– Aim high, expect to achieve it, find out what it takes to get there, then do it. Be proactive. Don’t wait for others to make your life easier.
– Don’t settle for less than your best, even with things that you don’t like. Successful people often must work hard at what they don’t like in order to achieve their goals.
– Get help wherever you can. Michael Chambers in the Office of Multicultural Affairs is an invaluable resource when it comes to succeeding academically. Pay him a visit. Likewise, talk with students who are doing well. Find out their secrets to success. Visit your professors. Get an advisor in your college. Get a second or third opinion about every bit of advice, and I don’t mean from your roommate.
– Learn organization and study skills. Form study groups. Seek supplementary course materials where warranted.
– Break out of self-pity, defeatism and complacency. These feelings are like a murky swamp. Build a bridge and get over it! If you can’t do so alone, then get counseling help, because you need it.
Finally, college is not an extended high school. Students are expected to learn on their own, not from the professor. The sooner you accept this fact, the better off you’ll be. If you insist on making excuses for not taking responsibility for your own education, then you deserve to fail.
