In universities and colleges across the country, the word “entitled” is being used to describe the millennial generation and their supposed unrealistic expectations of what they deserve.
In an article published by The Huffington Post, Tim Elmore writes that students “are accustomed to being rewarded for participating, rather than producing.” Students display this attitude in their academics, when expecting to receive high marks with as little effort as possible. This mentality exemplifies the “bought education” concept, the idea that simply paying for tuition guarantees a degree. Students today seem to believe that simply showing up to lectures will yield marks similar to what they received in high school. As this isn’t the case, students are often subject to a rude awakening when receiving their grades, and are shocked to find they don’t meet the academic standards.
However, grades aren’t the only area in which students demonstrate entitlement. For instance, students expect that upon graduating they’ll be able to find a high-paying job with flexible hours to accommodate their array of social commitments and activities. Elmore expands on this topic saying, “many students suffer from “ambition inflation” in which their higher ambitions accompany increasingly unrealistic expectations. These false expectations can lead to many challenges later in life.” This has led to many students constantly passing blame, a new social skill used to justify lack of success. Professors, fellow students, and even parents are often the targets of blame.
Despite these patterns of behaviour, many students are finding their entitlement quickly vanishes after a transition from being a high school student to becoming a university student. Diving into a world where you are now just as “special” as everyone around you is enough to humble some grand egos, and introduce them to the expectations of the “real world.” Some learn right away that demanding things will not get you far in either academia or the workplace, and expectations are replaced with hard work and dedication. However for many, this reality check comes much later, perhaps in the form of a failed class, or a steady trend of poor marks.
As a senior student, it’s even easier to understand the difficulties we will face when leaving university. Although university is a place that many will find much different than what they had imagined, often harder and with more challenges, it leaves you with a sense of community.
The idea of community can be seen in moments such as in libraries with everyone hunched over their books, or in line at the UC when someone doesn’t have enough change. There is an evolution from a selfish “me” mentality to an inclusive and respectful “we” mentality. We begin to stop denying our adulthood, growing more responsible and independent, and becoming involved and committed to our studies, extracurricular clubs and groups.
We can be humbled, and ultimately inspired by the many talented, ambitious people around us. There are so many opportunities as students, especially on this campus, to abandon the weak position of entitlement and turn into empowered individuals.
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The Ontarion publishes independent, student-produced news, opinion, and commentary for University of Guelph students so that they can make informed decisions in their lives. To do this, The Ontarion provides learning opportunities and training in journalism, media production, leadership, board governance, and other aspects of nonprofit news.
The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent student newspaper. It began in 1951 as part of the Ontario Agricultural College and then began to represent the entire University of Guelph once it amalgamated in 1964. The Ontarion incorporated in May 1970 as The Ontarion, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation registered with the province of Ontario.