See all of the Sunday secrets here.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Learning...outside of class
I would like to start by saying that I am by nature very stickler about my grades. Always labeled the overachiever and the know-it-all my entire life I now have pulled a 3.89 in college. My grades have fed me, payed my rent, and given me something to always work toward. The benefit of being a hardworking student is the scholarships you receive as a result.
But unfortunately one would argue that the scope of the classroom and a GPA is very limited and I agree with this. In class you are learning about a very narrow topic, such as art history or how to master creative writing. I am not even sure if half of the things that I learn in my classes will be useful for much besides cocktail parties and early morning radio trivia.
There is no life GPA. There is no one grading you everyday. "You helped the little old lady cross the street, A+!" I wish. There is no space on a job application or a resume for "street smarts". In fact you could be one of the most intelligent people out there but if you cannot regurgitate in a classroom than you might as well call it quits.
That is the sad reality of our education system. Pay thousands of dollars a year to prove you are capable of following directions and listening. It seems to me that you actually learn more from the professors themselves than their curriculum. You learn more in the dorms than you do in the classroom. You learn more off campus than on.
I love to learn. But my grades slip because I cannot regurgitate information. I can apply it. Frankly I wish that GPA was based on that application rather than on what facts you can put on a test. But I cannot escape the system as it is so I endeavor to learn outside the classroom, teach myself what I need to know. It boils down to making your own way in this world, not simply repeating the actions and facts that have been repeated to you.
Here is a concept: Skip Graduate School, Save $32,000, Do This Instead
But unfortunately one would argue that the scope of the classroom and a GPA is very limited and I agree with this. In class you are learning about a very narrow topic, such as art history or how to master creative writing. I am not even sure if half of the things that I learn in my classes will be useful for much besides cocktail parties and early morning radio trivia.
There is no life GPA. There is no one grading you everyday. "You helped the little old lady cross the street, A+!" I wish. There is no space on a job application or a resume for "street smarts". In fact you could be one of the most intelligent people out there but if you cannot regurgitate in a classroom than you might as well call it quits.
That is the sad reality of our education system. Pay thousands of dollars a year to prove you are capable of following directions and listening. It seems to me that you actually learn more from the professors themselves than their curriculum. You learn more in the dorms than you do in the classroom. You learn more off campus than on.
I love to learn. But my grades slip because I cannot regurgitate information. I can apply it. Frankly I wish that GPA was based on that application rather than on what facts you can put on a test. But I cannot escape the system as it is so I endeavor to learn outside the classroom, teach myself what I need to know. It boils down to making your own way in this world, not simply repeating the actions and facts that have been repeated to you.
Here is a concept: Skip Graduate School, Save $32,000, Do This Instead
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Fall
It's fall time again and I am back in my old stomping grounds for another nine months of school. But not like this is a bad thing by any means. I love school or rather, I love to learn. I enjoy teaching and being taught things. I love new classes and new books and new crayon and pencils.
Today was a lovely day. The air was so cold and crisp. The sunshine was so clean and warm. Everything is beautiful on days like today. Sometimes living here makes me feel trapped. It is tough when we are bound to the everyday routine. But I love to leave Sundays open. That way I can feel like I am not too bound to anything.
I cannot believe how quick the weeks have past. Summer was just yesterday.
Peace.
Today was a lovely day. The air was so cold and crisp. The sunshine was so clean and warm. Everything is beautiful on days like today. Sometimes living here makes me feel trapped. It is tough when we are bound to the everyday routine. But I love to leave Sundays open. That way I can feel like I am not too bound to anything.
I cannot believe how quick the weeks have past. Summer was just yesterday.
Peace.
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