An article in the New York Times highlights the growing problem of student expectations at the college level.  Over the last decade, I have seen the sense of entitlement among students rise.  If I could leave it at that it would be no problem, but unfortunately, the parents have been there tapping their toes and demanding more than what is deserved.  I was hopeful that it had not carried over to the college level, however according to this article it has.  So where does this sense of entitlement come from?  Is it from the desire that all parents have for their children to have a better life?  I believe that some parents, with good intentions, give their students a false sense of self.  Of course, I think we ought to encourage and uplift our children, praise them whenever we have the opportunity but we need to be honest with them too.  Sometimes, I think the sense of entitlement comes from children being spoiled.  In my experience, students don't know the definition of hard work much less the value of it.  They want to take the easy way, the quick way, the cool way.  Unfortunately, most of the time, the way to good grades and successful learning is difficult and time-consuming.  Two college students interviewed in the article agreed that they believed that students who try hard deserve high marks, that professors should take in to account their effort.  I am not sure I agree with this philosophy.  Afterall, if I went to try-out for a college sports team and I tried hard, would that guarantee my spot?  If I tried hard to be a defense attorney, but I lost all of my cases should I demand that you hire me?  The reality is that effort is not equal to ability in the real world.  In the real world, you need both.