[itsoktocry]

>Is it really true that, in the US, many college students don't want to be there but go nonetheless, despite having to pay absurd amounts of money?

Judging by the number of people who don't show up to class or otherwise just "get by", it's absolutely true. People "go to college" because they're told it's their meal ticket into the middle class. This is the point of the article.

Ask the average person if they'd rather pay to have the paper degree and not have to attend any classes, or get the education for free but not receive any paper credentials. You'll have your answer.

[atomflunder]

>Ask the average person if they'd rather pay to have the paper degree and not have to attend any classes, or get the education for free but not receive any paper credentials. You'll have your answer.

This is an interesting thought, however I don't think it is a good test for whether someone wants to be in college/uni or not. It is reasonable to enjoy the education and be realistic about the value of the paper certificate at the same time.

The overall point about social pressures etc. is well taken though.

[ReallyAnonymous]

Senior citizens are allowed to take classes for free in North Carolina. My mother uses this to take foreign language classes. She said the older folks taking the classes take it way more seriously than the 'students' ("Who goes to class in their pajamas?")

[astura]

>Judging by the number of people who don't show up to class or otherwise just "get by",

I mean, I've heard of this happening a lot in community college, but in my private university I didn't regularly see this behavior, and certainly not in the upper level classes.