Learning

[Elok]

Do any other students here find that they do best in classes that don't bore them, but that don't terribly interest them either?
In classes that bore me completely, I wind up not paying attention or just failing to absorb the information due to its sheer (apparent) uselessness.
In classes I love, it's even worse, because I'm capable of taking pride in the quality of my work to some extent, so I have a very difficult time following instructions that don't approach a problem the same way I would. The way schools expect students to respond to any given situation just don't seem to work for me, or at least they don't work as efficiently as how I like to do them. The result is very different work that usually gets graded down for not following criteria precisely. Most of the time it's just because I find the criteria counterproductive, "required" or not. And it always happens in classes I love. In high school, English; in college, public speaking, history, creative writing...
It doesn't help that sometimes the professors have something factually incorrect, I can't correct them without undermining their authority over the class, and I'm thus stuck keeping track of a set of inaccurate information to include in my essays!
I don't know what the point of this thread is except to vent angst. And can I get an "Amen," brothers?
A merry Argh! to you all.

[Pekka]

I agree to certain extent. I believe in letting students decide how they want to do their courses. What ever works for a person is good. If you don't want to come to classes, don't want to read the book but only watch porno flicks.. hey if that gets you good grades, you obviously found your way. I'm no one to judge your method.

I also don't believe that school is responsible for peoples learning (in higher learning, Unis etc). I believe in method of doing work before the class even starts. Then you don't have to sweat it at all. Check out what you have next week, and read the material through, go to class and just see you got it right. If it's then boring, I leave. I believe in teachers, professors etc presenting the material, and then you go learn it. They should be used only for guidance, and deeper understanding of the material. I'd prefer a system, where you have to learn the area before the course even begins. Then you focus on arguing the subject, and learning it deeply.
But that's just me and it works for me, I bet most disagrees with me here.

Anyway, when it's really boring, I just try to make it interesting inside my head. Like 'oh yeah, really? That's interesting'. You know.. but if even that is impossible, then I just try to think right there what does this really mean, have I seen examples of this myself, how can I implement this information, how does this conflict what I already know or does it build to the 'database' etc etc.. I just try to make my brains work when it's really very boring. Or else I just leave. But I usually always show up and won't judge it boring before really going first and forcing myself to sit down.

But I can't really get off easy, since programming and mathematics are not exactly subjects you can just go 'boring' and succeed, if you are not genious. I'm not a genious, so I really have to work and listen and study. But I find it fullfilling to understand some new concepts and use them in practice and even further my knowledge of certain area by doing some extra things just for myself. I don't know, this is how I feel now. Check me after year, maybe I'm only interested in beer then.

[Pekka]

THis is what I try, I don't always succeed in it.

[Harry Seldon]

I always do best in the classes where I have an intense interest in the subject. I need to have my interest piqued outside the classroom as well as in.

[Theben]

I never took a college course that I found boring. I tried steering away from those. In all honesty the time of year affected my grades more than anything. I'm pretty susceptible to low-light depression.

[MrFun]

When I was an undergraduate student, I had the pleasureable experience of finding some interest in all of my courses that were not related to my major.

[Japher]

Well, when I was in school we were forced to work problems a certain way even if we thought it was the wrong way, or it could be done quicker another way... Colleges teach a thought process and not the material you are learning, per se... Just do what your told and get your degree and then do it your way, write a book, and retire early.

[Harry Seldon]

I agree. College is all about hoop jumping. Unfortunately, try to explain why you don't have a degree to a hoop jumper when you need a job. I lucked out with IT but if I ever wanted to do anything else I'd be screwed.

[Datajack Franit]

I always had great marks in my favourite courses and crap marks in goddamn boring courses- that's how the whole world goes

[Urban Ranger]

I always do best in courses I am interested in, so I don't need to force myself to do the work. Fortunately, I am interested in a lot of things. Unfortunately, that means I get distracted quite readily.

[Sikander]

Originally posted by Harry Seldon
I agree. College is all about hoop jumping. Unfortunately, try to explain why you don't have a degree to a hoop jumper when you need a job. I lucked out with IT but if I ever wanted to do anything else I'd be screwed.

I had a similar experience, in that I did not finish college and have had to hit the job market without that piece of paper. Fortunately I'm a good employee, confident and good at interviews. I have a dream job in many ways, insofar as my job is 50% surfing the net and 50% actual work. No boss on site, just me and an office large enough for 10 people. I crank my tunes and surf or read mostly.

[Elok]

I made this thread after a frustrating experience in ceramics class, trying valiantly but unsuccessfully all the while not to resort to projection... :LOL: In retrospect, the teacher was probably reprimanding my impatience and failure to master old techniques before trying new ones, not attacking my methods, but I was short on sleep and cranky. Just so you guys know what I'm whining about.

And yeah, Japher, that's what I usually do, or try to do anyway. I just fail to shut up and soldier when the class is something I actually care about enough to really innovate in.

And thank you, Pekka, for the wonderful if inadvertent suggestion. Only "in beer" are all things truly interesting. All I have to do is take a few shots before my most boring classes, and it's all just so fascinating all of a sudden.
Alas, I am not yet 21.