By The Editorial Board
G-Wagons, $100 Parke sweatshirts, $500 Golden Goose sneakers, an array of Mac accessories, Louis Vuitton bags — these are all things frequently spotted on campus.
And while social issues continue to soar throughout the U.S., it often seems like Baylor students are more worried about keeping up with the trends than their education, the job climate or the issues our country is facing today.
Much of this comes down to a lack of desire to be educated. More than 70% of students around the world admit to using ChatGPT for classwork. About four in 10 Americans ages 18 to 29 say they regularly get their news from TikTok. Literacy rates are alarmingly low, and while these things aren’t necessarily uncommon knowledge, the bigger question is — do Baylor students even care?
For an institution that displays its R1 status on a silver platter, the students seem alarmingly unconcerned that the unemployment rates are at a 57-year low, or that ChatGPT is literally slowing brain engagement.
A large portion of this lack of awareness or care stems from the “Baylor bubble” — a phenomenon that has seemingly left a culture of entitlement on campus. More students seem worried about the illusion of wealth than about making a change in the world.
It doesn’t matter what side of the political or socioeconomic spectrum you’re on. The one thing every student should agree on is that it’s crucial to be both humble and educated.
Generation Z is incredibly intelligent, yet many Baylor students are letting their access to education go to waste and no one is saying anything about it. Baylor students seem concerningly comfortable with staying politically passive, educationally unaware and culturally illusioned.
If you have time to shop to shop online, you have time to vote, pay attention in class and apply your education.
Don’t let yourself fall victim to the illusion of materialism surrounding groups on campus. A Bible quote integrated between emojis in a bio doesn’t make someone a good Christian, just as Golden Goose shoes don’t get anyone good grades or quality friends.
Be intentional in every area of your life: worship, class, friendships and social issues. Putting in the work and investing time in these areas is the only way to find true success.
As Baylor students, we are privileged to have access to an institution of higher learning. We have access to education on any topic we could ever desire; don’t let that go to waste.
Make time to utilize the opportunities we are presented with. Humbly empathize with those not given the same privileges. Most of all, don’t be entitled; be intentional.
