I’m writing to see what other profs might say are the biggest changes in undergraduate students they’ve seen in just this year. I’ve seen three main ones.
In the past, when students perceived me as a tough grader, they were maybe frustrated but also respected me and secretly wanted to prove themselves better than their peers. This year is the first time I’ve noticed that they’re all just angry, not even with a dash of grudging respect.
Last year, when I confronted students about using AI, they were ashamed. This year, they’re indignant and threatening.
Students have been more open with me this year than any previous year about the fact that they are there solely and purely for the grade and care not a whit about intellectual growth.
Oh, and a bonus. I assigned René Descartes and, to a student, they told me it was too hard. (Context: It was three pages. I gave them supplemental annotations. They are seniors.) Even two years ago, students would have been fine with that kind of reading.