College students of today, when asked who the greatest generation is, will most likely point at themselves, as the American Freshman Survey shows that incoming college students are the most narcissistic, self-infatuated, and entitled ever to enroll.

The survey, which asks incoming college freshman to compare themselves to previous generations, has asked roughly 9 million young people over the last 47 years.

Pyschologist Jean Twenge and her colleagues compiled the data and found that over the last four decades there’s been a dramatic rise in the number of students who describe themselves as being “above average” in the areas of academic ability, drive to achieve, mathematical ability, and self-confidence.

The researchers have concluded that there is a disconnect between the students’ perceptions of themselves and their actual ability.

While students are much more likely to call themselves gifted in writing abilities, objective test scores actually show that their writing abilities are far less than those of their 1960s counterparts. 

College students of today also spend much less time studying, with less than a third saying they spend at least six hours a week studying.

In contrast, almost half of college students of the late 1980s spent that amount of time studying.

Though they may work less, the number that said they had a drive to succeed rose sharply.

This idea of thinking oneself is great without actually being great can lead to a depressing adulthood.

“Since the 1960s and 1970s, when those expectations started to grow, there’s been an increase in anxiety and depression,” Twenge said. “There’s going to be a lot more people who don’t reach their goals.”

While it is important to think highly of oneself, it is equally, if not more important, to back up those claims. Don’t be a fast talker and a slow walker.

James Gilbert | Elite.