Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
On Campus Blog
Alex Friedrich

St. Cloud State student: Why are today's young people such slackers?

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Hannah Swift of St. Cloud State's University Chronicle complains about how her fellow students don't seem to have a work ethic:

Showing up late for shifts, not being accountable for their share of the work, and trying to find the easiest way to get something done are all common examples of the general “slacker” attitude of my generation.

It's all about just doing the minimum:

Another reason more people are seem to be slacking when it comes to doing work is a trend which has been dubbed “work smart.” The idea behind working smart is not necessarily always reaching the highest level in quality of work, but rather finding the easiest and fastest way to achieve an acceptable output of work.

An older "nontraditional" student replies that we should blame it on human nature -- and perhaps a little coddling:

College age kids are often required to get a job anywhere they can to satisfy their parents demands in order to keep allowances coming in. This would explain why they don’t initially care what quality of work they deliver as long as they can prove employment. Those that need the money are often more responsible in their work habits, but not always. Most I have worked with will justify skipping work to attend a concert or gathering if that is what they truly had their sights set on, thinking they can justify their behavior when confronted.

As to the aspect of doing quantity over quality, I can understand your gripes, but it is human nature, I believe, to get things done as easily as possible. I know this isn’t the best answer but I remember a physics professor I once had explaining that electrons will go with the path of least resistance, much like us, his students.