I wish I could take it online but they don't offer the ones I need that way.

College Algebra. I don't do math period, I own a calculator.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

They offer math online at all the community colleges by my house....



You know what I am taking this summer.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Yeah, when I was nearing my completion of grad school I quit my part-time job and got a full-time (real) job at a small company. I ended up leaving that job because working full time and going to grad school full time wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I wanted to finish within two years, and working full time forced me to take only one course (two course load is considered full time in most grad programs). Actually, I probably could have handled it, but I didn't feel that my employer was very supportive in my educational endeavors. Classes usually started at 5:30 and ended at 9:45pm, and I got off at 5:00. A thirty-minute window period driving through rush-hour traffic is not fun. For some stupid reason, I couldn't leave until 5, and when I asked if I could leave ten minutes early I was made to feel a bit guilty. I mean this was for only once or twice a week. It wasn't like I had things left to do. I finished my job for the day. So taking more than one course that required me to leave work a bit early didn't seem possible. If it weren't a problem at all, I'd take two. My boss was actually a cool and nice guy; it was just the office manager. Not mean, but being nice in an insincere sorta way. I really wanted things to work out there, but I just was not liking the environment and personality and attitude of the place. I made the decision that school is way more important and left. My boss was actually disappointed I left and I guess felt a bit bad. On my last day I sent an e-mail to everyone (small office), said I won't be coming in, and wished them all well. Looking back, maybe it was a bit silly leaving a nice part-time job, which I really liked, for a full-time job when I was nearing graduation. At the end, I learned some things and I guess I wouldn't be at the job I am at now if I didn't switch jobs.

Yes, school is important.

If your grades are mediocre, then by all means, focus on getting your GPA up...FAST!!! It won't make much difference when you've got several years of established career experience under your belt, but when you're trying to get your foot in the door, employers will look at your college record closely.

After all, if we ARE in a recession, there are a LOT of bright young folks out there with excellent records...you're competing with them!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

College has broken my joy of learning. Its all about the piece of paper now.

Of the 128 hours it required to get my undergrad, only 33 hours are actually related to my major (political science). I understand having some general education to further develop my writing, practical math, and speaking skills, but 20 hours required foreign launguage? That's basically a forced minor. Fine arts I can understand, but advanced lab science? How much retention is anyone going to have in a class like that? 2% in less than a year?

I'm shocked that we're forced to learn things that we will never use, never retain, yet only 2 classes are required to develop writing skills. Writing is the most important tool for any us; we can't function as a society without it. Public speaking is another asset barely developed with a 1 class requirement.

Some changes I would make.

1. Drop college algebra as a requirement and replace it with a money management and financial planning class. So many college students screw themselves with credit cards and other bad financial decisions. This would help us much more than solving for x.

2. Cut the foreign language requirement and devote it to further developing writing and speaking skills. Lacking in either of these skills will handicap someone for life. Like I said before, 6 hours of writing and 3 hours of communicaiton barley scratch the surface if high school didn't do the job (which is often the case). There is always room for improvement for all of us in this subject.

3. Why Science as a gen. ed. requirement? As Hattie said, we get enough of that bs in high school. Cutting those 9 hours would bring my college back to a 15 hour average per semester to graduate in 4 years (the way it should be). There are still many elective hours available for people interested in this field, but don't have it as their major.

It's not a huge change, but would likely cost many jobs for professors who teach these required courses. I feel like I'm not getting my money's worth with the current system. Change is unlikely though, as each department whose requirements are facing the chopping block would go on the defense, promoting their obviously biased views on the importance of that particular class.

ugh.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Can't imagine how long it would have taken to complete Chem Eng at 15hrs per semester. As it was it took 5 years due to mandatory co-op program. Every other semester was forced job time, they forced us to gain experience in our field, and they forced us to work for money. Ye gads, you can imagine after that we were all dying to get back to the classes at 23hrs per semester. Remember only had 5yrs to get this done and each course was only given once each year!!!!

The daughter didn't believe the above either until I threw an official catalog at her from the dark past which had it all down in black and white. Including at least two math classes each year..............

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

hatt- wise decision. I put myself through school by working at night from 6:30p.m. to 2:20 a.m. then going to school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when I had a break I would study. It's hard but in the long run the payoff is great. Pay attention to your grades as some employers want a copy of your transcripts when you go for a job.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I would go the opposite direction. Require the calculus for all students. You should be able to understand it, and the calculus is the first mathematics course that is geared toward the real world.

No mention of pissing time away moderating a bunch of loons?

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1981 240d - 135k - Arlene

Hatty,

Milk it for as long as possible. I rode the straight and narrow, worked my job, got my internship, and will be done this year. Let me tell you something..it blows.
I went to Germany for Spring Break to visit a friend studying abroad. He is having the time of his life. New people, new cultures, everything. I envied him greatly. I realized, by packing up my life with this internship, job, etc.. I eliminated my opportunities to have fun like this.
It came crashing down on my one day. I literally had a break down. I was here four years. Very short ones. What did I do? I studied, I worked, I drank a little, I partied a little. All my friends are coming back for another 1/2 or full year. Why do I need to go out into the real world?
It was truly depressing, and I still haven't really come to grips with it. My opportunities for fun, travel, globetrotting, studying in foreign lands; they are gone. Victims of practicality and a focus on having a steady, well paying job when I get out of here. Was it worth it? Right now, I say no. In a few years, maybe different. But I'll never get that time back, and never really get to do all the stuff that practicality would never allow.

Regards,
Kyle

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http://www.betten.mercedescenter.com...n_banner_1.jpg
1976 300D
190,000 Miles
Colorado Beige

1975 300D
Parts Car
78,000 Miles
Rustbucket
Also Colorado Beige

1984 190D 2.2 (Dad's)
156,000 miles
Champagne Metallic Clearcoat

In college, it's "Keep your opinions to yourself, mimic what you see and hear, don't ask questions and repeat it back to the instructor the way they want to hear it...'They're right and the other people are wrong.'"

Now, go get your sheepskin...you've survived college.

If I HAD followed that advice, from day one, I'd be a college graduate too. But, I chose the "dark side" and wanted to know "WHY they did so-and-so and what the benefits of doing A before B when D and F would be so much better and less expensive and WOULD ACTUALLY WORK..."

You catch my drift...

Got the job on voice alone, needed cash instead of BS, wanted store-bought food, clothes on my back and roof over the head...

Am I missing not having a degree? Maybe 10 years ago, but now, not so much...I was about 30 credits shy, so maybe if I head back and see how the life experiences would count towards that 'skin' - it might be worth a try...one more item completed in life's slide downhill.

But, do yourself a favor and DON'T cut the math classes short.

I HATED MATH...bored me to tears 'cause I thought I didn't need it and after mimicking the problems in class, I thought I had it down pat.

Guess what? I needed it in my job worse than I ever thought I'd need anything else...I cost me alot more (post-schooling) than if I had applied myself when the classes were being paid for by someone else (parents' - tax dollars - etc...)

Sometimes, the things we THINK we know aren't the things we do so well. And there's ALWAYS a price to pay, one way, or another.

Think of it in another way...why would you bother to check the air pressure on the spare in your trunk, or check the overflow bottle under the hood? The car is running just fine and you KNOW where you have to go, the roads are nice and smooth. Right? And the oil light? It goes off as soon as the car finishes its "startup" routine. Everything is perfect!

Then, life hits you, outside the garage.

Yep, those extra classes might seem like a waste of time...but for some reason, it was decided by (OMG!) someone in a better position than you are now, to give "...those little skulls full of mush..." a boost over the others. Take the advice - it's like starting a 401(k) plan at age 20...doesn't make much sense now, but it sure beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick at age 40!

(Now, if I could only remember how to calculate how high (in meters) that bush was that I was hiding behind, when that "financial guy" was trying to sell me something concerning something about savings and "compounding my interest?")

__________________

M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

I think it's a great idea that all students are required to take a foreign language, math, and science.

After all, the word University means the study of the Universe, doesn't it?

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Me too. I personally am glad I took extra Spanish in college(tested out of required) because I use it when I travel, which maybe Hatt will do if he ever gets money. Referring to "math" in the context of college worries me a bit. I mean, what kind of "math" is getting taught to college kids these days? I know I was in a different situation on a pre-med track, but even my poli sci/business/econ major friends referred to whatever math they were required to take as statistics this or calc that or logic whatever and it was not easy or dumbed down for non-science majors.

Thinking you are going to graduate with a piece of paper after cake walking through college and get rich one day is delusional. It doesn't matter if it is some type of science, language or mathematics: the lesson is in figuring it out, and if you can't figure it out or won't put an effort into trying, you will likely not be able to figure out what to do or how to get rich.

I feel sorry for Kyle. I milked college to the max, but admittedly had a very different sounding experience than you guys that I will chalk up to luck (and my parents desire that I have such an experience). It was the second best experience of my life and I don't think a day goes by that I don't reminisce...

I have no problem taking German, I think everyone should be able to speak a foreign language a little bit. I took Spanish throughout middle school and hated it, I took Latin in HS and hated it, now I'm taking German and its not really bad.

Math, I have no love for math. I just want to get it done with and try to put it behind me, like getting a tooth drilled out. Calc is next, than I am done.


I dislike most of the gen ed classes because they are a repeat of HS. College tries to bring everyone up to the same level, and it seems some school systems are truely awful.

I love my core courses, I actualy look forward to those.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Nah this doesn't take up much time. I do a lot of work on various computers and just keep OD minimized at the bottom of the screen. That way I can drop in and issue bans while typing a paper.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200