It's MY education!

-or- when responsibility becomes entitlement

Perhaps this is common to all forms of higher education. But since (gratefully) I am only persuing one graduate degree, I can only speak of my personal experience.

We are often admonished to remember that our time in medical school is our education. Academic advisors remind us that it was our choice to come to medical school, and as such, the primary onus of responsibility to make that education counts rests upon our shoulders. I agree with them. This is my education, I should engage myself in it and maximize the experience.

I also feel that (partly because I am paying so stinking much money for this education) as it is my education, when the opportunity presents itself I should be able to tailor it to my wants and needs.

But too often I have met those who take this ownership too far. They no longer look at it as a responsibility, but as a sense of entitlement.

They don't go to class. After all, it is their education, to do with as they want. They skip out of clinical duties, informing people that they aren't interested in that area and signed up for a vacation. I mean, considering how much they are paying for school, they should get to come and go as they please. Right?

Uh, no. Sorry, I don't think so.

Just because we are paying for school doesn't mean that our instructors should be at our every beck and call. That ownership does not absolve us of responsibility. It scares me a little to see these types of attitudes in people who will have the lives of others in their hands. Good thing my wife helps keep me in line!

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YOu are dead on right. While my education was not in the medical field, I still paid a lot for it, and took it very seriously. WHile my decisions will not result in the life or death of any thing other than computers, that is what people pay me for. A working network, not a smoldering piece of junk.

ANY education should be taken seriously. Even those that will not one day put life and death decisions in your hands.

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I would hate to depend on anyone who treats their education like that to be my doctor or surgeon! Aren't those clinicals a necessary part of their education though, regardless of whether that's their field or not?

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Some people just don't realise how good they have it. What an irresponsible waste of money, teachers and students time and resources. As FS said, there is no way I would want any of these sorts of people coming near me, particularly with a sharp instrument in their hands.

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While my education was not in the medical field, I still paid a lot for it, and took it very seriously. While my decisions will not result in the life or death of any thing other than computers, that is what people pay me for. A working network, not a smoldering piece of junk

Exactly. I just don't understand the notion of not taking it seriously.

Aren't those clinicals a necessary part of their education though, regardless of whether that's their field or not?

They are 'required', but to be honest, there is a lot we are required to take that we will never need to use again. But knowledge is knowledge, not to be spurned. I will try to take anything I can get.

What an irresponsible waste of money, teachers and students time and resources. As FS said, there is no way I would want any of these sorts of people coming near me, particularly with a sharp instrument in their hands

I don't want to dis too much on some of my colleagues, but the arrogance some display is pretty disturbing. A shame as well, considering how amazingly talented many of them are.

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I hear you about making your own decisions about coming or going to class. You are paying your admission... What you put into your education is what you get out of it. It's purely up to you, the student.

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They no longer look at it as a responsibility, but as a sense of entitlement.

To relate: To many people I know, going on to Teacher's College is an option that's always thought of as the next best thing..."or maybe I'll just go be a teacher." That always horrifies me.

When your education allows you to take on responsibilities for other people, and it's looked upon lightly, it's a scary revelation.

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