My thoughts on college

osirus2020 · 11-13-2009, 04:27 PM

This is my second year going to a local community college and I don't feel like I'm learning a thing. I've taken a couple good courses; psychology and equipment operation/small engines were fun and I'm enjoying my philosophy class.

I'm there for a degree in Liberal Arts. I was in engineering but there was some bs with that so I switched majors. I feel as though, when registration opens for the following semester, I'm just picking the easiest courses I can find because nothing they offer interests me. I am taking an Art class this semester, but I have used up all my open electives at this point.

Besides the few courses I take that I really look forwards to going to, it's all the same rhetoric recited by different professors. In my literature class, for example, we've read probably 15 or so pieces that we have discussed in class and I have even written a paper on the Odyssey, but I can't tell you much besides the main premise of each story.

The same thing with math and other subjects, too. I can't remember much of pre-calc 2, psychology, how to write a paper according to MLA format, citations, anything chemistry. I took a course on the new windows office suite, but after 5 months I don't know how to do much in excel besides open a spreadsheet and input values into cells.

The only history I know is what I watch on the History channel, Military channel, or look up on my own. Like the stories I have read in Lit class, the stuff we learn in "History" is in and out of my head like a cheap hooker in a motel.

Some people have offered the idea that perhaps we're just going to school to learn how to deal with people and it's where we get used to working white collar, cubicle shit jobs typing on computers all day. I don't like this thought and refuse to have a “career” working in some office doing remedial work surrounded mindless fools. I've worked at the shipping end of a company that has a large “office group”. They are all mind washed idiots who can't wait for their flu shots, opening Christmas presents or whatever holiday which best idealizes consumerism the most.

I still don't know what I want to do with this "knowledge" I have attained.

Throughout my entire school career, I have learned more about doing my best at not doing anything, but making it look as though I am. I think this has to do with the fact that the only one consistent thing throughout elementary, High school and college, is that I have home-work to do that I don't want to do and I don't care about. This is literally the only consistent learning I can attest to (besides being a kiss-ass).

Now I don't mean to sound like I don't give a shit about my education, I get good grades and my professors seem to like me. I pay attention in class and take notes, do most of my homework on time and do well on my tests. I show up prepared for class most days, I don't ever need to ask someone for a pen or paper (that's my own responsibility), and I don't use my phone in class.

Right now I'm supposed to be working on an essay that's due on Thursday, it's a detailed analysis of a character from one of the works we read for class or some other humble crap. What essays really are, are bullshit. It's just a way for them to measure how well can we comprehend instructions, extrapolate information, interpret that informations, and we work it into some superficial “thesis” statement that I absolutely don't care about. I have found the easiest way to get an A on my papers is to do the very minimal work while still proving the thesis statement, and make it eloquent enough to be easy to read.
The only things I have learned in school that I can consider practical knowledge, knowledge I'm going to use in real life, is what I learned in high school. I went to a technical school for carpentry and I use the skills and knowledge of that almost every day and I feel very fortunate to have that.

I'm continually ushered to make big decisions about the rest of my life in the courses I take at school, but it doesn't seem, to me, to make much sense if I can't find an interest in anything there. I have absolutely no idea as to what I want to do for the rest of my life and I don't think that college is going to help me find that.

The only thing I'm really, honestly, looking forward to is a service trip I am going on. In January myself and a group of 15 or so students and advisors are going to New Orleans to help rebuild houses that were destroyed in hurricane Katrina. This will be my first time going to a culturally different area; Florida really doesn't count and the family drove down to FL when I was younger.

I sometimes feel like I'm the only person who sees things from this perspective, which makes it hard for most people to understand and why I usually don't bother telling them. When they ask about college I tell them I'm going to a community college for Liberal Arts and I'm going to transfer to a public university when I graduate. This actually helps me tell who actually cares about my life, and who is just asking out of repetition, because someone who actually cared wouldn't be satisfied with such a vague answer.

herbinator45 · 11-13-2009, 04:34 PM

you're at community college.. no wonder you're not learning anything.

421 · 11-13-2009, 04:49 PM

I know how you feel. I've been real stressed with the whole decision on what to do with the rest of my life. Personally, I don't feel that we should base our whole lives on this decision we have to make as young adults. Society tells us to get a good education so we can grow up and get a good job. We can't live our lives to work. IMO, one of the most important things in life is your happiness and doing what makes you happy. Of course we can't just go on through life doing only what makes us happy because society doesnt allow it. You gotta have that education and good job to make the money to do the things that make you happy. Basically what i'm saying is- your hobbies, friends, family, doing things you truly love- are some of the most important things in life. Your education and job are stepping stones to living comfortably/doing happy things. I'll personally be happy if I have just about any job thats pays well enough for me to live good and do cool shit like traveling.

Sorry if none of this makes sense or isnt relevant. I'm doing my best to put my epiphanies into words. It all makes sense in my head

ChiefBongWater · 11-13-2009, 06:03 PM

lol im in my second year at community college too! fun, isnt it? I can see where you're coming from though, i started out just taking general studies and now am just taking random electives. I still havent made up my mind completely and community college definitely doesnt help in your decision.

All i know about what i wanna do the rest of my life is have a not-to-stressful job, that i can enojy doing everyday and can live comfortably off of. I think im leaning towards optometry. Averaging around 100k a year and they just do eye exams basically. Hope something comes to ya though man, that trip down to new orleans sounds pretty cool

badgoalie85 · 11-13-2009, 06:07 PM

i'm not going to read all of that shit but....

first of all, college and your education are only as good as you make it yourself. if you feel your education is failing you, it's probably your own fault. you can either make your education the most meaningful or wasteful time of your life. it's your choice.

second of all, what herb said...it's community college. you really can't expect much. like i said, though, if you study your ass off and actually make an effort to learn something, you will. if you're really that dissatisfied with your professors and feel like you need a better environment, make good grades, apply to a better school, and go there.

it's all on you, osirus.

osirus2020 · 11-13-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

it's all on you

This is certainly true, but I have come to this conclusion after a long time of trying to give certain things meaning in my life that seemingly don't...I'm trying to find meaning in something I can only see redundancy in.

I wasn't the best student in high school, but I would say for the past 4 years I have put legitimate effort into my education. I don't really care about having good grades, I just try to do well so I can transfer, scholarship reasons and so I have a transcript the man approves of.

A problem I have with a lot of my professors is that they are not engaging in their classes or teacher methods what-so-ever. I know the standard of teaching is lecture, study, test, learn, but I definitely feel as though I do a lot better when there is class participation.

I don't have any long-term academic goals set for myself besides graduating at this point. I'm trying to figure out whether my lack of fulfillment comes from not having something to work towards, or I don't have any goals because I find my schooling meaningless. Graduation is my only set goal, but there's no major motivating factor.

Maybe I'm just being too idealistic. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill with this? I try to hold my shit down the best I can but it's really been driving my crazy the past months.

And do you really think a community college has second-rate classes, as far as the actual education goes?

ndg0lily · 11-13-2009, 09:19 PM

you say you take philosophy,
reflect on a bit of objectavism
ayn rand said that the proper moral purpose of ones life is the rational pursuit of their own rational happiness.
you shouldnt feel strange at all that you dont know what you want to do with your life yet, who does?
just go with the positive flow.
if your service project is what your looking forward to then more power to ya.
the world is always short on people willing to help.
wait and see how the experience is. it might point your life in a whole new direction...
so for now, light one up and just let the earths real medicine ease your mind

myxomatosis · 11-13-2009, 09:37 PM

I too am not in the mood to read all that shit as I just got off work but badgoalie kinda nailed it. Shit's what you make it. Community College or not you can definitely learn some shit. Doesn't mean it's all your fault as there are no doubt shitty profs and shitty courses, but live and learn.

yo. · 11-13-2009, 09:38 PM

your life isn't about college. college is man made, it's not satisfying YOUR wants/needs, only the guy next to you. i haven't even graduated high school yet, but if you want my advice: take this next semester off and do something you've really been wanting to do, like travelling. you said you haven't visited many culturally different places so maybe if you get out and live your life (not the life "the man" makes you live,) you'll find what you really wanna do. not just career-wise. also, just ask yourself: what is college?.. really?

edit: also, watch Into the Wild.

edit2:

Originally Posted by osirus2020

Graduation is my only set goal, but there's no major motivating factor.

Maybe I'm just being too idealistic. Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill with this? I try to hold my shit down the best I can but it's really been driving my crazy the past months.

dude this is who you are. or should i say we? i've been feeling the same way and it's really been gettin to me the past couple months... i've came to the conclusion that this is just who we are, and haven't found what we really wanna do and there's two options: go against your wants and do the whole education, serious job, etc etc, OR do what you want and be happy with your life....

in other words, join the rainbow people.

badgoalie85 · 11-13-2009, 11:38 PM

shut up, yo

osirus2020 · 11-14-2009, 05:32 AM

I never saw the movie. I enjoyed the book, though and I suggest you try reading it.

my_scatterheart · 11-14-2009, 08:13 AM

I'm sure it's been said in here already, and thought I'd reiterate.
3 of my classes are teachers who ramble in class and read powerpoints that don't help you and have you go home and read the text then test on it. It's about what you're willing to do. Going in and doing well on tests and quizzes for the most part is cake even without learning. Simple regurgitation and recitation can get you to a place where you're doing well on the assessments. However, I want my money's worth. I'm learning this shit. It all depends on you and what you're ready to put into this.

Cerpin Taxt · 11-14-2009, 11:50 AM

When they've tortued and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career...

**kitch** · 11-14-2009, 11:52 AM

college: go for the women, stay for the degree, and the women.

wellfleation · 11-17-2009, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by osirus2020

I'm just picking the easiest courses I can find because nothing they offer interests me. I am taking an Art class this semester, but I have used up all my open electives at this point.

Be careful as some classes you expect to be easier are actually pretty difficult. I took Music 101 as a blow off class and it was hard as hell (squeaked out an -A). Sometimes teachers intentionally make what appear to be easy classes tough, just because they can.

wellfleation · 11-17-2009, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by 421

I know how you feel. I've been real stressed with the whole decision on what to do with the rest of my life. Personally, I don't feel that we should base our whole lives on this decision we have to make as young adults. Society tells us to get a good education so we can grow up and get a good job. We can't live our lives to work. IMO, one of the most important things in life is your happiness and doing what makes you happy. Of course we can't just go on through life doing only what makes us happy because society doesnt allow it. You gotta have that education and good job to make the money to do the things that make you happy. Basically what i'm saying is- your hobbies, friends, family, doing things you truly love- are some of the most important things in life. Your education and job are stepping stones to living comfortably/doing happy things. I'll personally be happy if I have just about any job thats pays well enough for me to live good and do cool shit like traveling.

Sorry if none of this makes sense or isnt relevant. I'm doing my best to put my epiphanies into words. It all makes sense in my head

Most people do not do what they majored in college in unless it's graduate school. Most employers just want the piece of paper to show you have good reading, math, and comprehension skills. Once you get the job then it's time to prove yourself or try something else if it doesn't work out.