Why isn’t college organized more like a standard 8-5 job?
Since graduating with my Electrical Engineering degree in 2018, I’ve been reflecting on how poorly college is structured and how it often sets the stage for normalizing unpaid overtime in salaried positions.
For every 45-minute lecture, I often ended up spending 5-6 hours on independent study and assignments. This meant putting in nearly 60 hours a week, along with juggling a part-time job.
Looking back, that’s a truly unhealthy experience. It could have been transformed into a more manageable 8-5 schedule by the institution.
I frequently see new graduates working unpaid nights to get ahead and to secure that coveted performance review at the end of the year.
What are your thoughts on this?
Your perspective on the structure of college and its impact on work culture is astute and resonates with a lot of people. The comparison to a traditional 8-5 job highlights a significant issue in how educational institutions operate.
Many students do face a heavy workload that goes far beyond classroom hours, often leading to feelings of burnout and stress. If colleges were structured more like a typical workday—with defined hours for classes, study sessions, and even office hours—it could create a more balanced experience. This might also help students manage their time better and reduce the culture of unpaid overtime that you’re observing in the workforce.
Additionally, the pressure to excel academically can push students toward unhealthy work habits, akin to what you mentioned about new grads and their dedication to unpaid overtime for “gold star reviews.” By fostering a culture that normalizes excessive work hours, both in school and in the workplace, we risk perpetuating a cycle of burnout and diminishing returns in terms of productivity and creativity.
Ultimately, a shift towards a more structured and balanced approach in both education and the workplace could lead to healthier outcomes and better prepare students for a sustainable work environment. Encouraging institutions to recognize the need for balance might be an essential step in addressing these issues and reshaping work culture for future generations.