The month of September does portend
That the summer is close to an end.
  The surfing and skating
  Will soon be abating
As school is just around the bend.

Most kids aren't glad to be returning,
For more days of summer they're yearning.
  They would rather continue
  Playing games in their venue
Than submit to the horror of learning.

This attitude seems to be the rule
For those who've not finished high school.
  They believe education
  Is a temp occupation
One suffers to get in the job pool.

It's a shame they view it as a chore
When it really can be so much more.
  A few years down the line
  They'll look back on this time
And wish they'd seen the chances before.

In their twenties, most students acknowledge
That they're glad to return to their college.
  The time just zips by,
  With things like Sigma Psi
Or in classes in pursuit of knowledge.

Knowledge now is a rare-ish pursuit
We'd much rather be rich than astute.
  Which is why, as a rule
  For most students in school
Grades are the target for which they shoot.

Employers can't know your brain on command,
They have only a resume in hand.
  So kids rather would stay
  Ignorant with an A
Than get a B and understand.

This sad trend should cause us to holler,
When no respect is given to a scholar.
  Knowledge for it's own sake
  Is regarded as fake;
We're pursuing the almighty dollar.

It's true our nation's test scores are falling
How we "remedy" this is appalling:
  We consider it best
  To rescore standard tests
So we look good when a census comes calling.

Are our S.A.T. scores too low?
To our self-esteem that's a big blow!
  The spin doctor inventor
  Will simply recenter
The whole thing to boost your ego.

Though it's not something everyone gleans,
Learning's an end as well as a means.
  We should find it quite thrilling
  That people are willing
To teach us information through our teens.

So be proud of the knowledge you earn
And try to enjoy it while you learn.
  Because after this stage
  Of your full-time student age
Those youthful days will never return.