[dspeyer]

Universities don't do much to encourage students to work hard.

You'll pass no matter what, and in many places can get an A by just cramming for the final. Worse, many classes adjust grading standards based on how students are doing, so anyone who studies hard is betraying their classmates.

Fraternities are given official support while study groups are left to fend for themselves (not that much support is needed, but it would be a nice gesture). A football team that wins a championship can expect official schoolwide celebration, which no intellectual achievement would produce.

People are influenced by social pressure. Children are especially influenced. And the pressures aren't really pushing toward learning.

(A secondary conclusion is that if you want to learn a lot at college, your first act should be to find a network of friends who do value learning.)