ENGI

nikkigraziano:

What I’m bad at? I’m bad at school. I’m bad at RIT [Rochester Institute of Technology]. That’s the problem. I’m bad at memorizing to pass a test. I’m bad at accepting things for what they are. I’m bad at RIT because my ultimate goal with this minor is to learn something, to understand and appreciate it, not to pass classes. And that seems to be what most everyone in the Science Programs and SMS [Department of Mathematics and Statistics] are trying to do: Pass classes. Play video games. Get a degree. Get a job. Play video games. Have money. Buy a house. Retire comfortably, preferably playing video games.

I know of way too many Deans List students in SMS who are on Deans List only because, frankly? Because they don’t give a shit. It’s not everyone, I’m not trying to making a blank generalization here, but because they can accept what’s in front of them and not think about it, they’re good at school. They get an A. The system works for them. They don’t get hung up on details and they don’t waste time in a ten-week system trying to ask any questions. So for the 14,000-some-odd kids at this school, I know very very few people who are passionate about Math and Science, who believe in it and are personally (not financially) invested in it. This is what Art School taught me. To be personally invested in something.

A great blog post that talks about how the canonical teaching methods of a “higher learning institution” grinds on a student’s nerves. I’m no good at school either, and I care about the things I learn, whether it’s technical report writing or Calculus or history. Why hasn’t the system, which rewards mindless grinding and memorization instead of critical thinking and subject interest, been fixed yet?