In Walter S. Minot's article in Christian Science Monitor, Minot addresses the controversy that has been haunting the public for years. Minot, being a teacher seems to believe that while full time students who are employed tend to attend class, however they seemingly exert more effort into their jobs to afford luxurious lifestyles than in their studies, and that they would be better off prioritizing their time on their school work (8). While Minot's position seems to be reasonable, some would argue that working and attending a high school or university gives the young men and women a privileged opportunity to learn the value of time management and the importance of managing finances as well. While there is much opposition on the topic, one should be inclined to focus on their work for school and not spend so much time at work. If a man or woman is not spending thirty hours a week work it will allow them more time to study, it will teach the importance of education and it will decrease the amount of students failing classes or dropping out.
Young people who are not working thirty or more hours a week will have more time to work on their studies, projects and other homework assignments and will have a greater chance of success in the American school system. In Minot's article in Christian Science Monitor, the author quotes a student who didn't have time to write his paper, even though it was due two days prior to the conversations taking place because the student works thirty hours a week (8). Moreover, Minot also stated that this particular working student was enrolled in what is considered a normal work load, or fifteen hours. Are you beginning to see the point? This particular student is spending twice as many hours a week at his place of employment than he is spending in class. Not only that, studies from the University of Alabama conclude that in order to be a successful student, one is required to spend two hours outside of the classroom engaging in studious endeavors for every hour he or she is in the class room. That adds up to be fifteen hours in class and thirty hours out of class every week just to be a successful student. One can see that being a student is in many ways a full time position of it's own.
In addition, a full time student will not only have more time for studious endeavors, he/she will in turn learn the value of education. The author to this particular article, who is a teacher stated "I know students who work all evening aren't ready for studying when they get home from work" (Minot 8). Student who work thirty or more hours a week are clearly prioritizing their jobs higher than their educations and are not preparing themselves for their upcoming tests or projects appropriately because they do not leave themselves enough time to do both. One might argue in saying "Working gives students an chance to learn the value of time management." While this is true, at some point a line needs to be drawn. Students who are working thirty hours a week along side of their full time work load in school, will not have enough time for both and will take short cuts on one or the other. Minot being an experienced teacher gives his testimony in revealing the fact that students who work thirty hours a week will choose work over educational endeavors (8).
Thirdly, if students were to commit more time to their education, there would be a decrease in the number of students who fail classes. Minot presents more than enough evidence in his article in the Christian Science Monitor from his on site experience in the classroom. This point in made clear when he refers to students who are two days past due on their papers and not prepared because they chose to work the last evening as opposed to studying for an upcoming exam (8). This kind of priority is a slippery slope and will lead to more students failing those exams they did not prepare for, failing those papers that "they didn't have time" to write and ultimately failing the course for the semester. One might argue and state "How are they supposed to have money if they don't work thirty hours a week?" In this article in the Christian Science Monitor, Minot addresses that question by sharing his personal experience from when he was in school, revealing that most kids would at most mow lawns, shovel snow, baby sit or hold seasonal positions at the department stores (8). We can see that this strategy worked out very well for him, he is an educated and experienced teacher having articles published in the Christian Science Motor! These days there are also many opportunities for financial aid, a plus programs and student loan options to assist the students through school.
In conclusion, one can see that full time students should not be working thirty hours a week. Minot reveals many evidences that the additional work load in not necessary in order to obtain the necessities of a high school or college student. Those students who fit the related category of full time student as well as near full time employee should spend more time and efforts focusing on their educations and long term goals.
No comments:
Post a Comment