I was a college professor off and on in different schools for 20 years, and I couldn't believe how students acted either. Depending on the school, some students were more serious than others overall, but I do agree that part of the problem could be the prof's fault. I know if the profs don't have an attendance policy or if they are lenient in other ways, then the students will take advantage of that. I saw some students who I thought were just immature and in college because their parents wanted them there and/or the students didn't want to be in the work force. And, yes, some students did have personal problems, but I did try to be understanding if I knew what was happening.

Is this a freshman class? Of course, that's where the most immature kids will be. By the sophomore year, some will have flunked out. One year makes a big difference! (And maybe their parents see their freshmen grades and read them the riot act.)

This problem was gotten worse over the years, I'm sad to say. Some schools are so desperate for students that they will take almost everybody, and the profs are at least subtly pressured to be lenient, because the schools are concerned about enrollment.

Just some thoughts off the top of my head.....I can certainly sympathize!