Telling the sky to fuck off.

[Forsooth]

Background: I am a college student, but not a good one. I have to use gubmint monies to pay for half tuition (as both parents decided to not keep with their decent, moneymaking careers right before I start higher education) The combo: not having good/average grades = not getting any money at all

The meat: My GPA dipped down to 1.54, and I had to end up retaking 2 failed classes, while paying for all of it (came to about 2 grand). Passed those 2 classes, turned in all of the "Historical Repeat" paperwork (because simply having a second, higher grade wouldn't automatically remove the first one in the computers, oh heavens no.) Ended up with a 1.95.

Was FUCKING furious at myself, started yet another hazy spiral of low self-esteem and anger/depression. My advisor pretty much told me that i'd just have to keep paying for tuition myself until the loan kicks back in. More not pleasant emotions and thoughts. On the way out of his office, the EnviroStudies department secretary [(a past middle-aged spunky black woman) who was listening in on the whole conversation b/w me and the advisor)] remarks that there was an Organic chemistry repeat I had take that would change an F into a D, but not submitted the paperwork for, and that i should put that in and see how things go.

I had indeed submitted the papers 3 semesters ago but the ass-flapping, carpet-BRAINED TAINTCRANIUMS at University Records and Registration HADN'T APPLIED THE DAMN REPEAT CORRECTIONS.

Despite the anger and confusion seething inside of me while waiting in the line at University R&R, I was calm and courteous while submitting the paperwork again. Now I just had to wait. For 2 weeks. For the semester to start and have the add/drop date be precariously close to the estimated 'processing period.' Many spirits were imbibed on my part during this period.

The last day of the add drop period, i get an email in class. 'Notice of disbursement of federal aid' or some shit. The sleepy oceanography lecture is jarred by a loudly whispered "Fuck Yes!" from me. It draws the expected odd looks, then they fall asleep again. I check the online grade-keeping thingy the university has, and my GPA there sat exactly at a 2.00. I have now ascended the status of a C-student.

After class I celebrate the turn of fortunes with a crappy cigar in a parking lot. While puffing away and laughing to myself (drawing more odd looks) it starts to rain. I contemplate wrapping it up and hitting the ol' dusty trail, but stop and think, 'No amount of anything is going to fuck with me today.' I look up to the heavens and with a decidedly commanding voice say, "Fuck off, Nature." I didn't stop raining but I didn't care.

Fin.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Congratulations on clawing your way up to a C average.

NOW KEEP CLAWING. You can do better.

[Doktor Howl]

Many spirits were imbibed on my part during this period.

Call me crazy, but I think I may have spotted the root problem.

Just as you have to decide upon entering a bar if you are going to A) drink yourself sick, or B) try to meet someone, you also have to decide between A) getting good grades in college, and B) spending your college years in a haze of alcohol.

Less partying, more work.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

In fact, I'm going to pull my older-than-you card and give you one piece of advice that will probably do more to keep your grades up than any single other thing (other than read all your assignments and turn in all your homework on time, every time) which is, simply attend every class. Unless you're dying to death of an illness. It's amazing how much you can get away with half-assing and still pull an A if you just attend every class.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Many spirits were imbibed on my part during this period.

Call me crazy, but I think I may have spotted the root problem.

Just as you have to decide upon entering a bar if you are going to A) drink yourself sick, or B) try to meet someone, you also have to decide between A) getting good grades in college, and B) spending your college years in a haze of alcohol.

Less partying, more work.

And this.

I've gone to class hung over. It's not very fun. But it involved conscious decision-making on my part; questions such as "Is there a test?" and "Have I already done the reading we're going to discuss tomorrow?"

[Doktor Howl]

Many spirits were imbibed on my part during this period.

Call me crazy, but I think I may have spotted the root problem.

Just as you have to decide upon entering a bar if you are going to A) drink yourself sick, or B) try to meet someone, you also have to decide between A) getting good grades in college, and B) spending your college years in a haze of alcohol.

Less partying, more work.

And this.

I've gone to class hung over. It's not very fun. But it involved conscious decision-making on my part; questions such as "Is there a test?" and "Have I already done the reading we're going to discuss tomorrow?"

Not only that, but while you're partying, you're not studying.  And the next day, when you get out of class, you're too tired to study again.

[rong]

It makes me sad you are congratulating yourself for succeeding in an educational system that is so clearly stacked against you.  You can learn whatever you want for free.

I applaud your success. It is the system that makes me sad.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

It makes me sad you are congratulating yourself for succeeding in an educational system that is so clearly stacked against you.  You can learn whatever you want for free.

I applaud your success. It is the system that makes me sad.

You can learn a great deal for free, but there are some things that actually do require access to skilled training and expensive facilities.

I agree that the educational system in the US is massively defective, but not for the reason you give.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Many spirits were imbibed on my part during this period.

Call me crazy, but I think I may have spotted the root problem.

Just as you have to decide upon entering a bar if you are going to A) drink yourself sick, or B) try to meet someone, you also have to decide between A) getting good grades in college, and B) spending your college years in a haze of alcohol.

Less partying, more work.

And this.

I've gone to class hung over. It's not very fun. But it involved conscious decision-making on my part; questions such as "Is there a test?" and "Have I already done the reading we're going to discuss tomorrow?"

Not only that, but while you're partying, you're not studying.  And the next day, when you get out of class, you're too tired to study again.

That's why, if you're going to decide to party, you should have already studied enough to tide you over until the hangover is gone.

Of course, that will, ultimately, make the decision to party far more rare. During the term I have a rule that I can start my single evening beer of the night exactly three-quarters into my math homework.

[rong]

I believe one hour of class is worth 8 hours of studying.

I also believe educational institutions are more interested in their own financial security than they are interested in any one persons success as a student.

[Q. G. Pennyworth]

It makes me sad you are congratulating yourself for succeeding in an educational system that is so clearly stacked against you.  You can learn whatever you want for free.

I applaud your success. It is the system that makes me sad.

You can learn a great deal for free, but there are some things that actually do require access to skilled training and expensive facilities.

I agree that the educational system in the US is massively defective, but not for the reason you give.

You are referring to hard science classes that require hands on experience in very expensive labs with even more expensive equipment, yes?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I believe one hour of class is worth 8 hours of studying.

I also believe educational institutions are more interested in their own financial security than they are interested in any one persons success as a student.

It's normally a 1:2 ration, but I can believe that you might be special.

And to the latter, yes, but a school that has generally unsuccessful students is a school that will not long have financial security.

I detect more than a hint of sour grapes in your posts; I am assuming you failed out.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

It makes me sad you are congratulating yourself for succeeding in an educational system that is so clearly stacked against you.  You can learn whatever you want for free.

I applaud your success. It is the system that makes me sad.

You can learn a great deal for free, but there are some things that actually do require access to skilled training and expensive facilities.

I agree that the educational system in the US is massively defective, but not for the reason you give.

You are referring to hard science classes that require hands on experience in very expensive labs with even more expensive equipment, yes?

Yep. And also require close guidance and collaboration with more experienced teams. For instance, medical school. Who's gonna trust a self-trained surgeon?

[Doktor Howl]

I believe one hour of class is worth 8 hours of studying.

I also believe educational institutions are more interested in their own financial security than they are interested in any one persons success as a student.

A little bitter, are we?

[Cainad (dec.)]

The expense and dysfunctionality of the education system in this country is a cause for consternation, to be sure.

But that's not a reason to devalue educational institutions as a whole



It's precisely because good education is so valuable (both to the individual and the society they interact with) that the expense and dysfunctionality is a cause for concern.

It is something with benefits that far outweigh the cost, but it pays back its cost in ways that don't fit on a balance sheet, so it is crippled in the name of short-term gain.