appreciating what we've got...

i had a very interesting conversation yesterday about appreciating higher education. my conversation partner, a professor at a state university, was complaining about his students not studying for exams - - a complaint that set me off on a rant about students not taking advantage of the opportunities they are given.
the trend these days seems to be for college kids to do as little as they can to get by. this is something i simply don't understand: higher education is not a legal obligation anywhere in the united states. subsequently, it's also not free anywhere in the united states. hence, students - or their parents, at least - are paying dearly for the education universities give.
and yet, many students are happy to do as little as possible to get by academically, taking short-cuts, making excuses, and generally putting their social lives at the center of their university education.
now, i'm not discounting the importance of a social life - in fact, these days social networking is crucial in many respects [just think of our president: several of his key advisors and appointees are old college buddies]. still, the primary purpose of universities is academic. students are given the opportunity to focus in-depth on subjects that interest them, learn from experts in the field, and test out new ideas.
so why the disinterest? has our culture really become one in which getting ahead with as little work as possible and remaining mediocre is valued above hard work and excellence? are we really willing to settle so quickly and easily for 'just OK'?
perhaps that question need not be asked...