My son started school today. We didn't do much to prepare for school other than buying him new sneakers. We did not buy any supplies yet because we don't know what classes he has that need special supplies. (He's in high school.)
I like school because it teaches things that will help later in life. Though, some things are not as obvious until later in life. My father was superintendent of a school district of 8 towns (Maine). I liked school because it was one of the only times that I could get together with friends from other towns. But like life, I had my ups and downs in school as well.
How about you?
If there's one thing you cannot get enough of, it's education.
High school was fun since it was basically just a place to hang out with friends all day. The work wasn't so bad and you learn stuff every now and then. I was talking to the wife recently about this and I related it to being on vacation and going on a tour where you learn some stuff while having a good time.
College was also quite fun but I actually had to do lots of work. But it was nice to be in an environment where there were lots of people who actually cared about what they were studying or teaching. I think I met a lot of really cool professors. Man, I really liked my department.
So yeah, I definately have positive opinions of schooling.
To all, additional questions:
What subjects did you like, not like?
What subjects did you like, but failed?
What subjects did you not like, but passed?
Were/are you one of those lucky few that passed even if you did not study?
How about failing no matter how hard you studied?
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
My favorite subject was math (Algebra, Trig, Geometry, PreCalc).
Least favorite, French (I had to cheat in my 3rd year of it just to get a C).
Runners up to least favorite: English, History, Biology.
Runners up to favorite: Chemistry, Physics
What subjects did you like, not like?
I actually really enjoyed psychology and anthropology courses. Did not like the "English" courses. Being told I fail a test because I wasn't harsh enough in my criticism of Zane Grey and for objectifying women is a very quick way for me to withdraw from your course.
What subjects did you like, but failed?
One of my anthropology courses, 'cuase I didn't do the papers. I really liked studying the material, I just didn't like writing about it. And since I didn't actually need the course to graduate, I didn't care.
What subjects did you not like, but passed?
Calculus, chemistry, physics, electricla engineering, philosophy and "Ethics".
Were/are you one of those lucky few that passed even if you did not study?
Only for the first two years.
How about failing no matter how hard you studied?
Nope.
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
Wha?
What subjects did you like
High school: Math and science classes with the exception of biology
College: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Organic Lab (probably my favorite class), Molecular Biophysics Lab, Linear Algebra, Philosophy of Science Fiction, Political Philosophy, Intro to International Relations, Defense Policy, Physics of Modern Technology
not like?
High School: English classes
College: Calc II, P-Chem Lab, Physics Lab, Expository Writing
What subjects did you like, but failed?
I liked the Physics of Modern Tech, but dropped it because I was a senior, didn't need the credit, and the professor decided to add some exams or projects when originally there wasn't going to be any. That's not technically failing, but its kind of close.
What subjects did you not like, but passed?
All those listed above in the not liked area.
Were/are you one of those lucky few that passed even if you did not study?
High School: Yes
College: Harder chem and math classes - No. Everything else (especially polisci and philosophy) - Yes
How about failing no matter how hard you studied?
Negative.
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
Never really tried to fail, but I assume I'd be able to do that in most classes.
My favorite subject was math (Algebra, Trig, Geometry, PreCalc).
Least favorite, French (I had to cheat in my 3rd year of it just to get a C).
Runners up to least favorite: English, History, Biology.
Runners up to favorite: Chemistry, Physics
I agree with many of your selections.
What subjects did you like, not like?
Lit, Spanish, Sciency stuff (esp Biology) and Archery/Fencing (college only) - likes
Math, Art and I believe there is a special place in hell for whoever decided Art History should be required - not
What subjects did you like, but failed?
None.
What subjects did you not like, but passed?
All.
Were/are you one of those lucky few that passed even if you did not study?
Yup. Slept through HS mostly. Graduated with Honors and a 3.1 accum or something. Slept through most of college (what I completed of it anyway), but it was getting to the point that I would have needed to study. I think I only had like a 2.8 or something using the 'Sleep in my truck' method in college.
How about failing no matter how hard you studied?
Never failed a class. Failed a couple History tests in college, though. Lecture class, graded on 4 tests - 2 MC and 2 essay. I bricked the first one cuz I read nothing in the book and assumed it was on the lecture notes. Nope. Had it been about a later period of history, I'd likely have been fine. Uber early American history was never my bag, though. I also failed the second MP test in that class. I read the book that time but I read the wrong part, heh. Anyhoo, my essays were phenomenal and my grade ended up being a B+ thanks to the essays being weighted higher. See kiddies? English/Lit/Writing classes can help.
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
Tried to fail? I thought the best way to fail was not to try. But no, this never happened to me. Mostly cuz I never really tried. ;) Hmm, I guess it did happen to me after all ...
What subjects did you like, not like?
The only subjects in HS so far that I didn't really like: Civics, American History, and American Literature. I love my maths and sciences, though.
What subjects did you like, but failed?
I don't fail my classes. I get an ass-whoopin' if I get a B on my report card.
What subjects did you not like, but passed?
See above. ;)
Were/are you one of those lucky few that passed even if you did not study?
I never study for my tests. I'd get too worked up otherwise. Hell, I didn't study for my Chem I Honors final and I got a 99/100.
I made a few people jealous.How about failing no matter how hard you studied?
Didn't I just say I never fail my stuff? Sure, I may've gotten a C on my American History final, but I was a little mad at myself that day.
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
Hah. Haha. Good one. For me, "trying to fail" means getting a B.
School starts up for me in roughly a week. Going back to all Honors classes (yay?). The list is (hopefully) as follows: Chemistry II Honors; Physics I Honors; Pre-Calculus Honors; English 11 (British Literature) Honors; Psychology EEP; French IV; and Multimedia one semester (I need the .5 Computer Literacy Credit, eesh), with Phys. Ed. the other semester. Hehe.
I don't fail my classes. I get an ass-whoopin' if I get a B on my report card.
I was the same way. But the real rub is that my little brothers almost didn't graduate high school and got less flak for that than I did for getting the occassional B. F'ing parents.
Oh, BTW, back then, A=90-100, B=80-99, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=59 and less.
I love school. Without it we wouldn't have asian girls in catholic school girl uniforms. And that would make Jesus cry.
But it sounds like "asian girls in catholic school girl uniforms" leads to you doing that other thing which also makes Jesus cry (or at least kill a kitten). So it sounds like a lose-lose situation for the poor guy.
To all, additional questions:
What subjects did you like, not like?
What subjects did you like, but failed?
What subjects did you not like, but passed?
Were/are you one of those lucky few that passed even if you did not study?
How about failing no matter how hard you studied?
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
My favorite subject was math (Algebra, Trig, Geometry, PreCalc).
Least favorite, French (I had to cheat in my 3rd year of it just to get a C).
Runners up to least favorite: English, History, Biology.
Runners up to favorite: Chemistry, Physics
man... haven't been to school of sorts in what... 5 years? 6?
the subjects i liked were those that allowed me to either figure stuff out or manipulate things. so maths and sciences of all sorts.
those i disliked were languages, history and law. stuff you pretty much just cram in your head and repeat on paper.
i never failed a class. i nearly failed, but i never did. and i definately never tried to fail a class.
I completed most grades without studying, and when I become a teacher myself I'll try to use that knowledge to motivate those that pass without studying to go even further by studying harder stuff, since lack of motivation for these people often comes from lack of challenge (or lack of interest, but that can also be countered)
Oh and I tried to fail literature but I ended up with a 6 (that's minimum non-failing grade here) despite not completing my book reports, not being allowed to take the first exam, and not reading the books for the second one at all. Can't say I didn't try... it would've been the only fail on my rapport and I would've though it'd be a nice statement
I love school. Without it we wouldn't have asian girls in catholic school girl uniforms. And that would make Jesus cry.
You'd still have porn and sexploitation films.
You'd still have porn and sexploitation films.
That's a little too off-topic.
A 93-100
B 85-92
C 78-84
D 70-77
F 69 or less
(I think)
Not that it truly matters since the tests are probably designed around the grading system.
I also noticed that there's a strong math/science vibe from the posters in here, which is pretty stereotypical. I guess stereotypes start somewhere.
I don't fail my classes. I get an ass-whoopin' if I get a B on my report card.
Please tell me that is a joke. Any parent who would beat a child for something like this should be shot in the face.
I was the same way. But the real rub is that my little brothers almost didn't graduate high school and got less flak for that than I did for getting the occassional B. F'ing parents.
They clearly felt you had much more potential than your dumbass brothers and thus expected more from you.
I don't fail my classes. I get an ass-whoopin' if I get a B on my report card.
Please tell me that is a joke. Any parent who would beat a child for something like this should be shot in the face.
I wish it was, but I doubt it. Crappy parents exist in very, very large numbers. This is just one of their ways. I've second-hand knowledge of such parents, and while the idea of "straight A student" is often seen as favourable, the story behind them generally isn't
Few kids do something like that out of their own free choice, most simply do it to avoid getting badmouthed/beaten.
What subjects did you like, not like?
Hated math. Absolutely loathed it.
What subjects did you like, but failed?
None.
What subjects did you not like, but passed?
Math (mostly)
Were/are you one of those lucky few that passed even if you did not study?
Pretty much. I figured I should be able to pass by actually learning things, not by cramming enough factoids into my brain the week before an exam. It worked out pretty well for me.
How about failing no matter how hard you studied?
Nope
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
What kind of
ing moron tries to fail? 
My favorite subject was
Art
Least favorite,
Math
Runners up to favorite:
Science, English, Geography, History
Runners up to least favorite:
French (thanks largely to terrible teachers), PE
Did any of you, no matter how hard you tried to fail, still passed anyway?
What kind of
The kind that wants a reason to drop out of school, rather than just dropping out for no reason.
The kind that wants a reason to drop out of school, rather than just dropping out for no reason.
That makes no sense at all. And anyone who says they "tried to fail but passed anyway" is lying.
Teacher prejudice or something.
I don't fail my classes. I get an ass-whoopin' if I get a B on my report card.
Please tell me that is a joke. Any parent who would beat a child for something like this should be shot in the face.
I wish it was, but I doubt it. Crappy parents exist in very, very large numbers. This is just one of their ways. I've second-hand knowledge of such parents, and while the idea of "straight A student" is often seen as favourable, the story behind them generally isn't
Few kids do something like that out of their own free choice, most simply do it to avoid getting badmouthed/beaten.
Yea, I seriously do try to get As on my report card, and my dad really doesn't get the way some of the teachers at my school teach. And then I get a harsh talking to and told to try harder even if I'm already giving it my all.
And our grade system is as follows: A:90-100; B:80-89; C:70-79; D:65-69; F:64 and below.
Not necessarily. There's a small few students (admittedly, probably not a statistically measurable amount) that could be considered "psychic" to the point that no matter what they guess on a multiple choice test, they always get at least the minimum to pass. Of course, they will either never admit that they're psychic, or just firmly believe that they're not. Either way they pass.
Psychic ability does not exist. If one wanted to fail they would fail. Tyring to fail means one must have the capacity to succeed, thus they must already know the right answers and purposely chose others. Simply "guessing" is not trying to fail, it is trying to succeed by chance. Anyone who says they "tried to fail but passed anyway" is lying.
Star athlete doesn't want the pressure and tries to fail but his grades are fudged. "Good students" can also get away with a lower standard, but that's not typically in an effort to fail, but laziness.
The NCAA has some stuff out there to prevent this, too. Obviously there's some fudgin' goin' on, but if they get caught they get nailed. Recently happened, too. NC State maybe? Can't recall the school but it wasn't that long ago.
And all the above completely forgets that a star athlete typically wants to remain academically eligible to play. Cuz if they're dumb, sports may be the only way to an education and a paycheck.
Now if they could make it easier for themselves to fail (like document things or report themselves), but that's part of the failure to fail event.
Its not important anyway; pretty much just a throw away comment on the OP anyway.
One way, or another...
Not necessarily. There's a small few students (admittedly, probably not a statistically measurable amount) that could be considered "psychic" to the point that no matter what they guess on a multiple choice test, they always get at least the minimum to pass. Of course, they will either never admit that they're psychic, or just firmly believe that they're not. Either way they pass.
Well that's an inefficient way of failing. If you want to fail, don't show up for the test. Showing up, taking the test, and then just hoping you have the wrong answers is so... inefficient.
Just a couple more questions:
What did you like in college that was different than high school? Dislike?
What was your most favorite course of all time? Least favorite?
What was your most fun course of all time? Least fun?
Remember, a lot of times favorite and fun are words that can be interchanged in this context, but if you had a fun course that was not your top favorite, what was it?
For me, one of my fun courses was folklore in high school. Somebody actually brought in a paddle wheel butter churn and we made real butter in the class.
What did you like in college that was different than high school?
How some people actually seemed to care about learning and how some professors seemed like they really cared about the material.
The learning environment was better than the passing environment of high school. If you wanted to learn and learned, then good. If you didn't want to learn, you failed. While high school was pretty much designed around the second group.
Dislike?
Bros, frats, etc. I guess just the people who get an ounce of freedom and go crazy.
And people who are just there because they didn't know what else to do. I don't think college should be for everyone, but it pretty much turned into a place you go if you did well in high school no matter what your future goals are.
What was your most favorite course of all time?
Organic Chemistry Lab. Not only was it fun Organic Chemistry, but it was a lab! But the professor was great (I really liked many of my chem profs). There was some really fun experiments. You used some really fun techniques (like NMR). I liked when we were given an unknown substance and had to run a few tests to figure out what it was.
Least favorite?
Expository Writing. It was a writing requirement and was horrible. It seems like you spend more time discussing the merits of what you read than they actually told you how they wanted you to write. And its one of those stupid classes that grade based on improvement. So doing well on the first few assignments (which I did) can hurt you.
What was your most fun course of all time?
Organic Lab. Or possibly Molecular Biophysics just because it was a tiny class (8 or something) of "good" students. So we got to do some different techniques and I knew most of the people.
Oh, if research counts, then definately that! That was great. I'd work in a lab synthesizing things under the direction of a grad student. The people were great and the freedom was so nice. Plus it really made me comfortable in the lab and the professor was awesome. I winded up taking her course since she was so cool.
Least fun?
Probably something hard... like Physical Chemistry. It was interesting, but it was rough. First they start you with nice quantum which is totally different than anything else. So basically everything is taught in terms of mathematical equations and probability and stuff. Next you go into thermodynamics which isn't so bad, but gets worse when you add back in the quantum aspects. It definately was interesting, but it was really hard, hence not fun.
For me, one of my fun courses was folklore in high school. Somebody actually brought in a paddle wheel butter churn and we made real butter in the class.
Folklore in high school? We never had cool classes like that in our crappy high school.
What did you like in college that was different than high school? Dislike?
Hmm. I guess that I liked being able to (theoretically) choose more options in college.
What I disliked was that it was pretty much HS that I had to pay for. Had I gone further, I'm sure most of that feeling would have changed. However, a large part of why I didn't was because everything felt exactly the same. I know my HS was good an' all, but I did not expect to literally learn nothing new in the entire first year of college. 'Specially when I was bustin' my ass to pay for it and was going to a decent school.
What was your most favorite course of all time? Least favorite?
An easy question.
I had a class in HS called Medical Related Science. It was the first time we got to do actual lab work on our own. It was a Senior only class and advanced. Designed to prep you for college. Anyhoo, we dissected live frogs and did various experiments, did some genetic stuff with fruit flies and did a chemiluminescence thing, too. It was pure win.My least favorite was a required Art History class in college. The absolutely worst experiece of my school life. Boring - painfully so. And I couldn't skip it. Stupid prof must have known how boring the class was cuz he used the ol' 'miss a class, drop a letter' method of encouraging us to show up. Not the only one that did it, but still an annoying practice. So I had to go through that hell. And it was.
What was your most fun course of all time? Least fun?
Most fun would be a toss up between a few, actually. The aforementioned MRS class, a Senior level Lit/Writing class I took my first year in college (we read essays/short stories and the like and then had to write in that style - I did very well) and Archery class in college. I pwnt. ;)
Least would have to be pretty much any Math course and pretty much any Art class. They all sucked.
EDIT: Just remembered I had a History class in Middle School (grade 6, actually) that was fun. the folklore stuff reminded me of it cuz the teacher was really into Native American stuff. So into it, in fact, that she raised wolves. She brought in some pups once, too. That was cool. They were tryin' to howl and I got to hold one. Neat-o.
What did you like in college that was different than high school? Dislike?
Certain humanities courses I've really liked. Anthropology, sex and gender, bits of psuedo-science. All really interesting courses that, when they were covered in high school, were made dull as bricks. Part of this might be that when I took them in college I was more... cognizant of these topics already, so it was more interesting then when I took them in high school, but I think part of it is having a teacher who specializes in this stuff.
Dislike: a few math courses. During high school all math was easy and fun. In college it quickly went to "moderate difficulty" and "meh". Then I got to probability and statistics and it nose-dived to "god damn it, I actually have to study?" and "I hate this topic."
What was your most favorite course of all time? Least favorite?
Cryptography and Western Literature, in that order. The second because, as I've mentioned elsewhere, the teacher failed me on a test because I wasn't critical enough of the sexist themes in the books. (Western, in this case, is the genre.)
And cryptogrpahy was just fascinating. I'm not terribly good at it (I don't have a strong enough background in math) but it's just amazing how some of those ciphers work.
What was your most fun course of all time? Least fun?
Most fun? Rock climbing. What? Sometimes you need to just relax and scale a wall.
Least fun? Western lit. That teacher hated me.
Remember, a lot of times favorite and fun are words that can be interchanged in this context, but if you had a fun course that was not your top favorite, what was it?
Wheel throwing. I wasn't terribly good at it (though apparently for how long I worked at it I made amazing progress, quickly getting to the point of people that had been doing it for years), but it was fun messing around with clay and making things like bowls and cake platters and pen holders. Though the whole "getting dirty" part sucked. Hard. If I'm going to get dirty, I'd rather it be outside climbing a wall.
I think it's ok. If I had to put a tampon in my urethra every month because blood leaked out of it, making me feel bloated and not very sexy, I would claim the right to complain.
Wrong part of the anatomy there, Goldo. Urethra is where the pee comes out. And I'll stop there. ;)
I should go back to school. Honestly, I find the prospect to be a bit intimidating. The way the whole system works is foreign to me, and I'd also be a freshman in my mid-30s. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, money at least would be no issue.
I found it a bit intimidating as well, but you really shouldn't let that hold you back. As for being a fresman in your mid 30's, it doesn't matter at all. At my college the average student's age runs from 25-35.
Also this: www.globalaging.org/elderrights/us/gradu...
The best case is pretty good, and the worst case isn't so bad.