sibling problems

[OldWiseGuy]

College is the norm now. We can't live as though it's still 1970, when only a small proportion of school leavers went to college. In my country, in some cities/states, the majority will complete a university degree. Based on that alone, we as parents must allow for adult children at home, financially dependent upon us, until at least age 21/22, if not longer. I have many medicos in my circle, and some are studying for up to 7 years. That takes kids to 25 before they can even think about careers etc.

You're lucky. College is a mess over here. Many need remedial courses in basic subjects to pass an entrance exam, even though they 'successfully' completed their high school college prep courses. Nearly 40 percent of all enrollees fail to ever get a degree. Guaranteed student loans ensure that tuition costs will continue to rise and students will shoulder huge debts. Also as the economy improves enrollment declines, especially among women. Many obtain degrees for which there are no jobs. Many have no business even attending college as they can't (and never could) handle the academic load.

In fact our entire educational system has some serious problems, mainly that we are preparing our students for a work world that might not be there for them, while at the same time discouraging them from learning the skills that are needed to fill real jobs that are available now.

 

[Locutus]

You're lucky. College is a mess over here. Many need remedial courses in basic subjects to pass an entrance exam, even though they 'successfully' completed their high school college prep courses. Nearly 40 percent of all enrollees fail to ever get a degree. Guaranteed student loans ensure that tuition costs will continue to rise and students will shoulder huge debts. Also as the economy improves enrollment declines, especially among women. Many obtain degrees for which there are no jobs. Many have no business even attending college as they can't (and never could) handle the academic load.

In fact our entire educational system has some serious problems, mainly that we are preparing our students for a work world that might not be there for them, while at the same time discouraging them from learning the skills that are needed to fill real jobs that are available now.

Good points. I do see some of that here, but not so much the academic unpreparedness. We see kids opt for degrees in the humanities and/or the arts, which are basically a guarantee of nothing - jobs wise. We need some humanities and arts graduates, obviously, but not as many as we have.

We need more science graduates, IMHO, but alot of kids prefer subjective subjects ... to put it clumsily Science is hard work, to learn. I remember :/

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Good points. I do see some of that here, but not so much the academic unpreparedness. We see kids opt for degrees in the humanities and/or the arts, which are basically a guarantee of nothing - jobs wise. We need some humanities and arts graduates, obviously, but not as many as we have.

We need more science graduates, IMHO, but alot of kids prefer subjective subjects ... to put it clumsily Science is hard work, to learn. I remember :/

Like many my head hurt even in high school. I opted not to go to college. Best decision for me. I have enjoyed my various occupations, and I have prospered, and I have had a good life. Higher education isn't for everyone, in fact my viewpoint from my lofty perch in the cheap seats is that higher education is for the few not the many.