When I first walked into a college classroom to teach, I was 24 years old, and, just about to turn 25. I taught College Academic Skills 101, (ACS 101) at one of the undergraduate institutions, that I graduated from, Eastern New Mexico University, in Portales New Mexico. Now 26 years later, I have been blessed by the “Creator”, to have taught at the followings institutions:

 (a) Georgia State University, in Atlanta Georgia;

 (b) South Georgia College, in Douglas Georgia;

 (c) Paul Quinn College, in Dallas Texas;

 (d)  Dallas Urban League: Institute For Minority Males, was in Dallas Texas;

 (e) Eastfield College, in Mesquite Texas.

 I also have been able to teach in the following areas:

 (a) American Government and Politics;

 (b) Texas Politics and Texas History;

 (c) Georgia Politics and Georgia History;

 (d) U.S. History, Parts I and II;

 (e) International Relations;

 (f) African American History;

 (g) Social Studies for Elementary School Teachers;

 (h) Self- Esteem and Self-Empowerment Courses.

 I mentioned all of the above, to emphasize, the point that I hope to make, and, that is, the vast majority of the student population appears to have changed, especially at the community colleges. At one time, if a professor taught a class of 100 students, about 80 were there to truly learn, and, maybe 20 were there for some other reason than to acquire an education. Now the situation has flipped. A professor could have a class of about 100 students, and, about 20 are there to learn, and the other 80, are there for some other reason than to get an honest education. Therefore, I will like to discuss the seven type of college students, and, quite naturally I could argue that most of the characteristics, that I will present will be more applicable to the community college students, rather than the large or small prestige four-year colleges and university students, even though some of them too are not exempt. The seven different types of students are as follow:

(1) The Focused Student- the Focused Student, is one who knows why he or she is attending college, and he or she does not waste a lot of time. The Focused Student comes to class on time, and is well prepared, and rarely leaves class before the session is over. The Focused Student is not full of excuses as to why he or she does not complete the assigned materials for the duration of the course. If the Focused Student attends a community college, he or she will acquire his or her degree in two-years or less, or if attending a university, in four- years or less. This student may be black or white, yellow or brown, or from some other ethnic or racial background. This student, may be between the ages of  18-25 or 35-60.  This student may be a male or female. The Focused Student is attending college for one major purpose, and that is to acquire his or her degree. All individuals who attend college, should always strive to be a Focused Student, it will save one a lot of time and money.

 (2) The Drama Student- the Drama Student, is one whose life is loose and out of control. This particular individual, will give the professor a thousand reasons why he or she cannot attend class. Such individuals usually come to class late and have the nerve or audacity to always want to leave class early. The Drama Student, usually wants to turn his or her work in late, and tries to have an attitude, if the professor will not accept the past due materials. The Drama Student, usually takes seven or more years to acquire an Associate Degree, that is if he or she gets a degree at all. As far as obtaining a degree from a four here college or  university, for the Drama Student, it is far off somewhere in the distant future.

 (3) The Trifling Student- the Trifling Student is one who constantly wants high grades for mediocre work. This is the student who comes to class on exam day, without any examination materials such as paper, pens, pencils, exam booklets, or scan-trons. The Trifling Student, hardly ever comes to class, and, he or she does not purchase the required textbook or textbooks for the course, but, yet hopes to pass the class with a decent grade, with very minimal effort. There is no telling how long that it will take a Trifling Student, to acquire his or her degree. That is, if he or she will ever obtain a degree at all.

(4) The Troublesome Student- the Troublesome Student, is one who constantly nags the professor about classroom assignments and tests during the duration of the semester. This student constantly ask questions, in which the answers are already in the course syllabus. However, for some reason or another, the Troublesome Student, refuses to read his or her course syllabus, which is the academic contract between the student and professor, and, when the Troublesome Student does take the class exams, he or she usually flunks them.  The Troublesome Student must learn to read something past a text message on a phone. There is no telling, when the Troublesome Student will get his or her college degree.

(5) The Perfect Student- the Perfect Student is very sincere about acquiring, his or her education, but, this student can become very annoying to a professor, because he or she is obsessed with making an “A”. Therefore, this student is always on the edge, and, constantly hangouts around the professor’s office, checking his or her grade. This is the student who has to make an “A”, or else, he or she will drop the course. The Perfect Student is similar to the Focused Student when it come to being dedicated and  devoted to acquiring his or her education. However, the major difference is that the Focused Student is much more relaxed, and, does not worry the instructor as much and appears to have more confidence in his or herself. The Perfect Student will get his or her degree in four-years or less, that is, if he or she does not have a nervous breakdown in the process of obtaining it.

(6) The Hip Hop Student- The Hip Hop Student, has the tendency to project the image that he or she is cool by speaking a language similar to that of a professional rapper,wearing hip hop clothing, such as one’s pants sagging, and, different color hair styles. The Hip Hop Student must understand that there is nothing  wrong with being hip hop, but, trying to be cool and hip hop  in a Political Science, History, Chemistry, Biology or English class will not cut it, and, especially if one is in a Speech class, making presentations in order to get good grades. The Hip Hop Student, can be black, white, brown, or from some other racial or cultural background. The Hip Hop student will get a degree, only if he or she, keeps the hip hop culture outside the academic arena.

 (7) The Strange Student- the Strange Student, could be an “A” student, or one who makes very low grades. This student may or may not come to class, and when this individual comes to class, he or she appears to be in a daze. This individual wears attire that stands out from most of the other college students. If the Strange Student speaks up in class, he or she will either speak with a great deal of knowledge, or this person will say a lot of off the wall things that really do not make any sense. How long will it take a Strange Student to acquire a degree? I really cannot tell, because I am not sure that he or she really wants one.

 The Bowtie Professor Speaks!

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