Bernie Sanders was not a good student

College is supposed to be a period of personal growth and self-discovery. Much like many students before and after him, Bernie Sanders, a contender for president, used his college years to shape himself into the man he is today. It's hardly surprising that Sanders spent the majority of his time in school denouncing injustices on campus and in the larger community rather than on the sports field, in fraternity row, or even in the classroom.

Sanders first enrolled at Brooklyn College when he was 18 years old, just over a mile north of the home he grew up in and about the same distance from his high school, James Madison High School. Sanders graduated from high school with unresolved ambition, like most young adults. His mother was also experiencing heart issues at the time. Like many students in the late 1950s, Sanders' decision to attend college close to home was driven in part by his desire to be near his family.

Bernie's own academic performance was lacking. This is one of the interesting facts about Bernie Sanders. Before transferring to the University of Chicago, where he received a bachelor of arts in political science, he was enrolled at Brooklyn College. However, he didn't put much effort into his academics, called the classroom "boring and uninteresting," and was a lousy student. He now, however, thinks that young people in the US need a college degree.