This is my last weekend of my Oracle programming class, and of course I procrastinated everything until now. I actually took the final on Monday, but I still have not started my final project. Yikes. My teacher was useless this semester. He did not interact with the class at all the entire time. He posted everything we would need on the Internet and said, go for it. Basically I could have just bought the text book and gotten more out of the class than I did paying almost $1000 when you count the text book.
I took this class not because it was required for my degree but because I wanted to learn more about programming a data base. I think I would have been better off just buying the book. My teacher posted an exact copy of the proctored final exam on the Internet for us to study and then said the exam in open note. Of course he posted the damn thing on Wednesday and I took the exam on Monday. So, everyone in the class got this extra help while I went into the exam blind. I didn't even know it was going to be open note.
Oh well. Maybe it is just my particular school... When I went to community college right out of high school, the expectation was very high. The professors made you work for your grades. Now it seems like all you have to do is give them the money and they give you your grade. Has college always been this way? Am i the last to know? I used to be so in awe of a college degree. Having spent 20 years and still not being able to attain this coveted honor, due to the limits on my time and money. Now I am thinking it is just a sham to keep the poor man down. If you think about it, obtaining a degree is hella expensive and scholarships and financial aide is hard to come by. Being able to pay for college is something reserved for afluent people whose parents got a degree themselves.
Most of my classmates put less than an hour per week of effort into school and still get A's. There is no accoutablity for learning and become proficient in the subject matter. Very frustrating. So I am giving them my money and getting my stupid piece of paper. Neither Jeff nor I have parents that have a degree. It has taken us quite some time, Jeff and I but he has and I am about to enter the coveted special group of college grads. I am making sure Mandy goes right out of high school and has that leg up starting her adult life. Even though I am beginning to think that all it is, the degree is a piece of paper saying you belong to the "have" club.
Posts
I Think I May Have A Screw Loose
-
I saw my podiatrist yesterday. One part of my foot is still hurting (it's
been almost two months since the surgery). He thinks it may be one of the
screws ...
11 comments:
I am quite proud of you for taking this on. Whether or not it is "just a piece of paper", it's one that I covet, too. I've got lots to go toward getting mine, and am determined it will happen in my lifetime, even if my graduation party coincides with my funeral.
Good for you!
Good for you for perservering towards getting a degree. While it may be 'just a piece of paper', it can open doors.
I hope you continue and finish this important step. Not all schools or teachers/professors are this way. I'm sorry you found yourself in the situation where you are questioning the value. I have a couple of degrees but one of the best educational experiences I've had was when I went back to a community college and worked on a graphic design certification. I found that at age 50, I could find my way quicker than the younger students and despite my age, I flourished. Oftentimes, it's what you put into the process. Well, a good teacher helps for sure. Would transferring to a school with a better reputation for good teaching work?
I truly wish we as a society could make a higher education affordable to anyone desiring it. We'd all be better off. I don't think my younger son fully appreciates the opportunity he has, but he will graduate with a lot of student loans to pay back.
Well, this is a very sore subject for me. With degree in hand I'm looking at jobs that start around 25,000. Now, mmm I have that much in student loans now!!! Oh we are sorry that is how it is here most people have to work two jobs. Now, my favorite one from last week's job interviews....We are sorry dear we just can't afford you, maybe once you get your MBA a lot of doors will open. OK MBA is 30,000 more in student loans! SO, What are you supposed to do? Take a shitty paying job while you tack on enormous student loans and just maybe maybe maybe find a job that can help you pay them off? I'm SCARED TO DEATH that once I finish school I will have to file bankruptcy!
I'm in awe of you because it's programming! I work with computers and write some html but even css scares me -- it looks too much like real programming!
My husband is a recent MBA graduate and would agree with a lot of what you say. He did have some terrific professors too though.
first of all, you rock.
secondly, it depends on the school. i spent a year partying at a 4-year state party university, then i spent 2 years at community college fixing my transcript after all the partying, and then i spent the last two years at an expensive private college (still paying for it). my experience was VASTLY different at each. everyone got the same sheet of paper at the end, but the private school taught me to THINK, which has helped me greatly in many areas.
it all depends on what you get out of it and how hard you work. the paper just gets you through the door.
I took a graduate class, Law of Ed, that I was very excited about because I wanted to know my rights as a teacher. First night in class, there were 5 of us, the teacher handed us a list of what chapters we were to read from this huge book. Then he told us there would be a paper due and a final. Then he said he would see us the week before the final. That was it. I was so upset, read those chapters inside and out because I just knew the exam was going to be a killer. The paper was a piece of cake. Went to class on the 2nd to last one, and we shared what our papers were about and then the prof said..." I really enjoyed this class with you all. Thank you very much." That was it, no final, Big waste of money and my time. I complained and wrote a bad review on him, but doubt it did much good. Students are held accountable, but I think ALL teachers need to be too.
Don't you and I go to the same college? Maybe it's your major. I've worked my ass off for this freakin' degree; nothing's been handed to me. My parents didn't have any money to send me to college, either -- I had to pay for it all on my own.
Jennifer: Thank you Jennifer. I have coveted my degree for so many years I think I have in my head made it out to be more than it is.
Lynn: Thank you for your encouragement and you are right, I do need those doors opened.
Shelia:Too much time and money into this process to quit now. Some prof are better than others but it is ultimately how much I put into the class that counts. Graphic design, that is a great idea.
Angel: I know you know what I mean. I would have been nice if you had been a princess and had college handed to you right out of hs and then starting at the entry level positions would not have been so bad.
Katya: I love programming. My friend is also a computer geek like me, we debate endlessly which is harder systems or programming. I guess it all depends on your brain type? I find CSS to be easier than HTML, go figure, must be my brain. My understanding is the CSS is supposed to make web design easier and less complex...I can remember when Windows first came out, I thought it was so confusing compared to the lovely DOS that I understood perfectly. Now, I understand that that windows is easier, but it took me awhile. I say give CSS a chance and you wont be sorry.
Luckyzmom: I also have had some terrific professors, I guess I was just having some sour grapes, possibly from the stress.
Mamadaisy: Who knew you were a party girl? Even if some of my professor do not hold me accountable I can hold myself accountable and take advantage of the situation to get my moneys worth. Thanks for the insight.
Kimberly: It is difficult to hold teachers accountable, a very complex dynamic. It is frustrating when they suck, I'll bet your prof thought you all appreciated the favor of having less work.
Lorelei: Yeah, we go to the same college, it could just be me and my warped sense of what college is supposed to be...
while I was in school, you still couldn't take classes online. My school was very small - usually under 30 people in a class. So expectations were very high to attend classes and exams were never open note except in some cases where it really didn't matter. You had to know your stuff anyhow...
Congrats on taking that step! I'm right there with ya for a masters degree, but I've lost interest in it exactly for the fact that I don't want to be taught through a book.
Post a Comment