A Few Things I Dislike About School
There are some things I really dislike about school.
I dislike having to go to the same classes every day for the whole year. It's not as bad this year, because I have solace in the fact that my schedule will shift (by one whole class woooo) in the second semester and because I got to pick a whopping two of the classes I take this year, but my first three years here were quite unpleasant. Knowing that I was going to have to sit in a rigid desk for 45 minutes straight, listening to someone talk on and on about something I wasn't even particularly interested in and would probably never need to know again ever was not a great time.
The days all start blurring together, then the weeks, and then the months, especially in classes where the curriculum is virtually the same all year. One class that I've consistently disliked because of this is history. And that's not to bash any of the history teachers, because I think it really is just a difficult subject to teach. I learn best with hands-on activities where I can figure things out and see how they're applied in a "real" context, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), we can't exactly go back in time and become warriors in the Greco-Persian Wars to learn about the hoplite phalanx. Really the only way to teach history to high-schoolers, at least, is to either make them read about it or lecture them about it. And for me, both of these options are extremely tedious and facilitate zoning out and slacking off, which subsequently creates a self-induced frenzy of cramming stolen notes the night before the test, after which approximately zero knowledge is retained.
And like I mentioned above, sitting for 45 minutes is really hard!! I feel like a lot of teachers actually forget what it's like to be a student and how annoying it is to have to stay confined to one little space for extended periods of time. We spend like 5 and a half hours every day just sitting. I'm pretty sure that's unhealthy, both for the body and the mind.
But while I like to complain about the things I dislike about school, I can offer no better solutions. Like I said, some subjects are just difficult to teach any other way, and there isn't really an effective device other than desks to subdue us rowdy kids and our disruptive habits. I just wish there could be a little more excitement and spontaneity throughout the year to keep us on our toes so we don't become mindless sheeple, barely afloat in the seemingly never-ending five years of high school. Also, maybe it would help if we learned more about things that we'll actually need later in life instead of how to find the upward force exerted by the supports on a 5kg board when you push down on the left side of it with a force of 59 Newtons. But hey, that's just me also please help I'm failing physics
On a side note, I've had a stuffy nose all week, and I just want to put it out there that it's really hard to get tissues when the only tissue box is at the very front of the room where the teacher is lecturing for the entire class period. If you get up to get a tissue, all eyes are on you. You not only have to make the shameful scuttle quickly and quietly so as to not disturb the lecture, but you then have to cleanse your nostrils, an activity reserved for the private sphere, in the least gross way possible under the watchful eyes of your ever-judgmental peers. It's a very stressful situation.
I dislike having to go to the same classes every day for the whole year. It's not as bad this year, because I have solace in the fact that my schedule will shift (by one whole class woooo) in the second semester and because I got to pick a whopping two of the classes I take this year, but my first three years here were quite unpleasant. Knowing that I was going to have to sit in a rigid desk for 45 minutes straight, listening to someone talk on and on about something I wasn't even particularly interested in and would probably never need to know again ever was not a great time.
The days all start blurring together, then the weeks, and then the months, especially in classes where the curriculum is virtually the same all year. One class that I've consistently disliked because of this is history. And that's not to bash any of the history teachers, because I think it really is just a difficult subject to teach. I learn best with hands-on activities where I can figure things out and see how they're applied in a "real" context, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), we can't exactly go back in time and become warriors in the Greco-Persian Wars to learn about the hoplite phalanx. Really the only way to teach history to high-schoolers, at least, is to either make them read about it or lecture them about it. And for me, both of these options are extremely tedious and facilitate zoning out and slacking off, which subsequently creates a self-induced frenzy of cramming stolen notes the night before the test, after which approximately zero knowledge is retained.
And like I mentioned above, sitting for 45 minutes is really hard!! I feel like a lot of teachers actually forget what it's like to be a student and how annoying it is to have to stay confined to one little space for extended periods of time. We spend like 5 and a half hours every day just sitting. I'm pretty sure that's unhealthy, both for the body and the mind.
But while I like to complain about the things I dislike about school, I can offer no better solutions. Like I said, some subjects are just difficult to teach any other way, and there isn't really an effective device other than desks to subdue us rowdy kids and our disruptive habits. I just wish there could be a little more excitement and spontaneity throughout the year to keep us on our toes so we don't become mindless sheeple, barely afloat in the seemingly never-ending five years of high school. Also, maybe it would help if we learned more about things that we'll actually need later in life instead of how to find the upward force exerted by the supports on a 5kg board when you push down on the left side of it with a force of 59 Newtons. But hey, that's just me also please help I'm failing physics
On a side note, I've had a stuffy nose all week, and I just want to put it out there that it's really hard to get tissues when the only tissue box is at the very front of the room where the teacher is lecturing for the entire class period. If you get up to get a tissue, all eyes are on you. You not only have to make the shameful scuttle quickly and quietly so as to not disturb the lecture, but you then have to cleanse your nostrils, an activity reserved for the private sphere, in the least gross way possible under the watchful eyes of your ever-judgmental peers. It's a very stressful situation.
I agree with pretty much everything you said. I never used to think that school was boring, but lately, it really has been. There are only 2 or 3 classes I find interesting everyday, and in every other class, I spend an embarrassing amount of time checking the clock in anticipation of the bell. This is especially true for History, as you said.
ReplyDeleteI'm also failing physics !!!! Anyways I also struggle to make it through 45 minutes of class because of the combination of repetitiveness and lectures and my slight attention problems. And like you, I have no solution – could we really get anything done in less than 45 minutes? Some people like block-classes (like classes on alternating days but with 2 hour classes) but that would be completely intolerable for me.
ReplyDeleteI’ve loved your sense of humor in all of your posts this semester, they’ve all been a joy to read! Your voice really comes through your writing. I think your points are relatable. I liked the simulation and project in history this year, I remember more from those units and have a deeper understanding of that material.
ReplyDeleteYour post was very interesting to read, I agree with the fact that school can be boring at times especially in classes that you do not care about. Personally I love history and find it very interesting but the format that some teachers use can be pretty boring. Mr. Sutton did a perfect job of keeping the class engaged why still teaching about the past. On thing I wish Uni could do is have a shop class. It would allow students to use their hands to create something rather than just sit and absorb information to regurgitate. Great post
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog post was amazing, and I agree with it, but can we TALK about the tissue box situation?! There needs to be some kind of solution! Mr. Sutton had it DOWN, he would just throw the tissue box at whoever needed to blow their nose. It was the ideal situation - 2 seconds of attention as you were pelted by a cardboard box, then he goes back to lecturing and you're allowed to do your business in private.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting, but I feel almost exactly opposite of how you do about learning. I know that in some classes, the teacher tries to make it interactive, but for me it can be fun, but it often ends up making me feel frustrated, and I would often appreciate it if the teacher would just explain it to us. That being said, I actually have really enjoyed all of the history classes I've had at Uni (with the exception of subbie history.) This presents another problem for educators. Different students learn in vastly different ways, so if a class is taught exactly the way I like it, you will feel bored out of your mind, and vise-versa. It's a tricky situation to navigate, and I'm not sure the common approach these days (which uni seems to be adopting) of "Eh, let's just surround the kids with more screens. More technology = More education." really doesn't work in my opinion. I also am not a huge fan of "project-based learning" I feel like all educators are getting super hyped-up about it, but the problem is that it relies on the students to take initiative. I hate tests, but to be honest, without them I would just goof off and not pay attention because, like most high-school students, I'm lazy. But yeah, this was a great post, and I found it humorous and easy to read.
ReplyDeleteI have found this year so far, in terms of classes, to be the most interesting by far. I don't despise a single one of my classes. Although some classes might be a bit boring sometimes, I still find the information being taught quite interesting. This semester has flew by so fast. It felt like it was summer break like less than a month ago! And you know what they say... time flies by when you're having fun.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said. School has become a pretty boring grind and I often find myself struggling to stay awake during class, or working on homework for other classes because I am so board. I feel like I used to find classroom learning a lot more fun an exciting, but after 12 years, it's gotten pretty stale.
ReplyDeleteThe thing I related to the most in this post was failing physics (thanks Ray!)... Just know you aren't alone hating the fact that we sit for 5 1/2 hours everyday. I think its insane that we are forced to learn in a confining uninteresting environment where we have little choice on what we learn.
ReplyDeleteI really like your point about going to the exact same classes every stinkin' day. Following the same schedule for a whole school year is super boring and just makes me dread even coming to school. I also agree that history can be particularly boring since there's no hands-on way to teach it. However, I think Mr. Leff does a really good job of planning things out and making a considerable effort to keep us engaged (Although sometimes, it doesn't work. My sleep deprivation wins).
ReplyDeleteI could really relate to this post (especially the tissue part). I liked that you added humor in this essay, but I also think you made some interesting points. Sometimes I also feel like the days are turning into weeks and then months, etc. I think that sometimes we, as students, go on autopilot mode, and I wish that the education system could find a way to make classes more engaging etc. Good post!
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