Peer Survey

In order to gain a modern perspective of this generation's view on education, we asked 35 of our peers to fill out a survey. Most of the students that completed the survey mentioned that the reason why they decided to go to college was because it was necessary for their career. The mindset of students has shifted to the realization that college is the only way into a higher vocation. The overall belief held by these students is that the more education they receive, the higher the economic gain they will have. Therefore, attending college is seen as an investment for the future. They use college to prepare for their challenging careers, and learn discipline and responsibility that will be vital for their success. These beliefs have been instilled in students from a variety of places and undoubtedly have affected their college decision.

Surprisingly, it seems like the mindset of students has been influenced by our current culture since a major percentage of students mentioned that their decision for a higher education has been pressured by parents, family, and peers. Furthermore, over half of the interviewees said they would assume that at least 70% of their high school graduating class attended a college or university. These numbers could instill a pressure caused by differential association; which means that being surrounded by people that find meaning and importance in something causes the individual to adopt the same beliefs. 

We asked each student whether they believed they followed goals of our culture which consist of hard work and dedication for a better career; and whether they followed the societal structure and institutional means of getting a good job by finishing high school and attending college then possibly graduate school. The answer to these two questions demonstrated that most college students were in fact conformists.  However, there were several students that mentioned that they conformed because they had to. When asked to elaborate these students mentioned that there is not a high success rate for innovators, and that they would rather take the safe route and get a college education than risk their future. This is very interesting data for sociologists because it demonstrates that these students understand the rules of society, know that they are confirming against their will, but do not change their choice.