Learning Matters to God

A new study by two university professors leads to a shocking discovery: many students don’t learn very much in college. The findings of the study were recently reported in a groundbreaking book, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses by Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa. The picture is grim. Forty-five percent of students “did not demonstrate any significant improvement in learning” during the first two years of college, and thirty-six percent didn’t demonstrate much learning over four years of college. The authors note that many students drift “through college without a clear sense of purpose.” The main reason very few students are learning much in college is “lack of academic rigor.” The majority of students are not being pushed very hard in their studies. In fact, studying outside of class is at an all-time low, accounting for less than 14 hours a week for most students.

College bound high school students and their parents should pay particular attention to this study for two reason. First, you need to know what you are paying for. College is very expensive, and many people seek to justify the cost by pointing to the knowledge that will be gained. If students aren’t learning, what exactly are students and parents paying for? Families need to hold colleges accountable for the worth of a college degree.

Second, the lack of rigor is not just a college culture and curriculum problem. Not only are students not being pushed in school to excel academically, but many are not being pushed by churches to grow spiritually as well. Remember, to be a disciple literally means to be a “student.” Followers of Christ should all be “life long learners,” continually gleaning wisdom from the Master teacher, Jesus. Christian students should seek to be a witness for Christ in high school and college by taking learning seriously. After all, we are to “love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind.”