School is for Fools

During a large sum of the class yesterday we discussed about whether students really learn the material while at school or if they just memorize it for the test and then completely forget about it right after it.  From my own experience, I think students learn, memorize, and forget the material. Throughout college I really don't think I've actually LEARNED anything.  Despite the fact that I haven't learned anything I still consider myself a kick ass student because of a good grade that I get after taking it.  It sucks when I really think about it though... so far I've wasted a lot of money and three years and have nothing I think to really help me in the future.  I don't feel prepared at all and I also don't feel like I'm getting anything out of this whole college thing, but hey, I'm just going with the flow and it seems to be working.  I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.The article I read, http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/17/academically-adrift/, summarized a few main points of a book, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses, that consists of studies of 2,300 undergraduates at two dozen universities. One conclusion that I found amusing was that 45 percent “demonstrated no significant gains in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and written communications during the first two years of college.” It makes me wonder why the hell we're all in school if we are not "expanding our knowledge." Can anyone relate?