Post by zaidsiddiqui on Aug 9, 2011 20:05:04 GMT -5
The Organization Kid talks about time management—something I need help with. It goes onto to talk about how the leaders of tomorrow rarely have time to do anything and must even make appointments to chat with their best friends because they are so busy. Mr. Brooks stated, “One young man told me that he had to schedule appointment times for chatting with his friends,” illustrating how time-consuming his life can be. I find myself stressed for time, but that is because I procrastinate a lot, but these people who have organized themselves very efficiently almost never have time. The thought of never having time for myself makes me fear the future, especially since I want to become a doctor. I do agree though that as we grow older there is less and less time for things we enjoy. The article speaks about how the kids are pretty content with their way of life. This fact amazes me because I find it hard to go without some sort of social life. Brooks mentions that part of the reason some of the kids can survive like this is because they’re all kids at an ivy league, but reading the article has completely changed my view of college. Brooks also talks about students being involved on more activities throughout the year when he says, “Today's elite kids are likely to spend their afternoons and weekends shuttling from one skill-enhancing activity to the next.” I have seen evidence of this at Danville. For example, some of my friends play soccer, do forensics, so volunteer work and manage to keep up with their schoolwork. Some even have part time jobs. Brooks also points out that students of today admire authority rather than rebel or fight it. Many of the pay a great deal of attention what their superiors are saying, but this is not always the case. I’ve witnessed students in upper level classes argue with teachers because they believe themselves to be right and are too stubborn to accept otherwise or see another point of view. I’ve also noticed the elite students of today love to enjoy, but only enjoy parties or movies occasionally, which is similar to how Brooks described the life of the Princeton students. The article makes me wonder how it’s possible to go through college and maintain some sort of life without continuous stress. Another fact Brooks stresses is that these students have become the way they are because of the way they were raised. He is completely correct because if you notice the difference in the behaviors of students and then talk to their parents, the child almost always reflects the parents’ attitude and behavior. Brooks talks about how the elite students of the day were the most supervised generation in human history and helps illustrate the influence of the parents on their children. All in all, reading Brooks’ essay makes me fear college and the work that I’ll have to do when I get there. I’m not saying I’m going to an ivy league, but I do enjoy challenging classes. The stress caused by them, however, is something neither I or anyone else enjoys.