I was reading an article today on MSNBC that reported that these hard times are having more adverse effects besides the more obvious ones like higher tuition. Schools, many of which that are within the sharenotes.com network, are facing cuts that are crippling the schools ability to efficiently guide students to matriculation. Teachers, particularly new and part time ones are being cut and the trickle down effect is that there are less classes and less room IN classes to sufficiently service the students needs.
Kids are being forced to crash (you all know what that means) classes at a much higher extent and many of us are not making it into those classes we need. You miss your classes, particularly when you are those are the only classes you need, and that means a delay to graduation.
Now I have been lucky, I haven’t had to crash a class all that often, and if a class is full, there’s usually an alternative I can take. But can see how that would be a problem for many students. And a cause of major frustration and stress. If you are forced to take classes you don’t really need, well you still have to pay for them. And if you don’t take enough classes, well you can lose your financial aid altogether. Plus many of us just want to be DONE and get out into the job market, even if it’s a bad one, just so we can start making some money vs borrowing it.
The bad news is simple though, tuition is up, schools have more students than ever, less teachers and even with larger classes (read: higher student : teacher ratio) not enough space. Some students simply cannot afford to delay their graduation. Perhaps opting to leave school all together rather than paying another year of tuition they simply cannot afford.
It’s scary to realize all the ways in which this tough economy can domino down the line to effect every facet of American life. So what’s happening in your school? Are you feeling the pinch, and watching your classes swell? Are you standing out side of a class you really need, figuring out the best way to beg the professor to let you in? Like I mentioned before I’ve been lucky, but thre are many students at many schools on sharenotes.com and I know that some of you are suffering the ill effects of budget cuts and high tuition.
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