Modern student excuses - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 12-12-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I will use my skills learned in Film Appreciation at some point.

Maybe. In 20 years it may be more useful than whatever programming languages you are currently learning (I don't use my fortran skills very often these days, and I don't remember the last time I needed to use an ink pen on a drafting board). I'm more likely to have dinner with some VP who wants to talk about film, politics, or economics. Don't confuse college with a trade school.

elchivito · #17 12-12-2009, 11:05 AM

The bar has indeed been lowered. Lowered to the point where many universities are starting "Honors" colleges, schools within schools where "exceptional" students are courted, challenged and hand-held through their courses. My son, a junior in high school, is already being schmoozed by several honors colleges. In the past, these were the only students who would have gone to college in the first place.
Since I first went back to school to earn my teacher's credentials in the 70's, there has been an attitude in elementary and secondary schools that you mustn't DARE tell a kid that he's not college material. High schools have cut their auto and construction trades classes due to reduced funding, while universities have lowered admission requirements in order to boost cash flow.
Broadly educated citizens are necessary for a functioning democracy. Cutting out "fluff" classes in Liberal Arts schools is a bad idea.

MS Fowler · #18 12-12-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

The only LAS college requirement that left a very bad taste in my mouth was the required 20 hours of foreign language. When I hear someone speaking Spanish now I cringe with anxiety because of the year of hell I went through. All the teachers were grad students, with English being their second language. My other classes suffered because of all the effort I was putting in. I was required to take more foreign language classes than English classes, which confused me since the writing quality of most college students nowadays is awful.

Latin has been much more enjoyable. I love the old stories.

While my son was working on his doctorate, he had a class that required a lot of reading. My son went to the professor, and negotiated a deal. My son would accept a one letter grade lowering of the average of all his in class work and tests and papers in exchange for not having to do the reading assignments. He felt the impact on his instrumental practice time would be more detrimental than the one letter grade reduction.
He got a "B" in the course. I guess that means that the reading assignments were not critical to understanding the coursework.

Hatterasguy · #19 12-12-2009, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Maybe. In 20 years it may be more useful than whatever programming languages you are currently learning (I don't use my fortran skills very often these days, and I don't remember the last time I needed to use an ink pen on a drafting board). I'm more likely to have dinner with some VP who wants to talk about film, politics, or economics. Don't confuse college with a trade school.

True, I just had a conversation with a moron in one of my classes about this. He as like oh why do I have to take business law, accounting and a bunch of other subjects. Granted he was a management major and a dumb one at that. Anyway I was like I have been in business for a few years now and I think business law and accounting are some of the most usefull subjects you can take. I told him once you have some real world experiance you will see that.

I think a big problem is that people who don't belong in school go their, because thats the path society says they should take. A lot of people like the above mentioned guy need a few years in the real world to mature before going to college.