If I gave the impression that we were better than students today, that wasn't my intention. (Sorry if this sounds like a PAPzi clarification.) It was just that we were differently motivated then, and we had more time, to think, to wonder and possibly to skive. Out of that, we saw things that were not taught in the books. We also had time to feel the effects of our words when we write - hence our greater facility with English.
Students today (the better ones, at least) are more goal oriented, and have far less time to enjoy the process of attaining the goals. At least a part of this is, I honestly believe, because the PAPzi education system has been designed to keep people from thinking despite all claims to the contrary. They were no better in my time, but far less efficient in ensuring compliance.
I don't know who will do better - that is really for history to judge.
And yes, I know both the other two ladies, too. But Joan taught me in secondary school, not JC.