University sucks
I love learning, and studying, but I don't like universities. Why? I can think of five reasons why I just don't like universities.
1. Not enough self-direction
I want to study, and dive very deeply into, what I find interesting. I only want to barely touch on things that aren't interesting to me.
In university, not only do the degree requirements force you to take too many courses that don't interest you, even the courses you are interested in might spend too much time on one topic and not enough on another.
2. Too much pressure to be like-minded
Oddly, I find that places of higher learning have undue pressure to encourage people to all think the same way. Things are often made inappropriately uncomfortable or difficult for students with philosophically different beliefs or ideas than their professors or peers.
3. Too many students not there to learn
For many students, it seems like learning is not their top objective for attending a place of higher learning. Some of them even find ways to avoid learning at all costs. They are there to grow up, hang with friends, because their parents said so, to get a job, whatever. It is only a minority that attend university for the same reason I would: to learn more (to improve their understanding in an academic area).
4. Being broke
For most students, it is hard to make ends meet. You don't have a lot of income, and not a lot of spare time to earn any. That's why most students graduate with a huge debt, even despite working in the summers, and getting help from scholarships, parents and taxpayers. What's worse, it seems like universities really stick it to these economically vulnerable students at every turn with massive overcharging on everything from books, parking, food and incidental fees.
5. Lousy environment
Some universities are better than others, for sure. But many that I have seen are broken down, with old chairs, out-of-date equipment and no cleaning staff. I know this is a minor quibble, but it is hard to learn unless you're comfortable, and have the equipment you need.
I'm not saying I'll never go back to university. Where else can I go to quench my passion for higher learning? I suppose I will just have to find an institution that has found a way to overcome many of these disadvantages.
Labels: angry rants, lists, things that suck, university
posted by Robert Vollman at Tuesday, June 20, 2006
5 Comments:
It seems Universities are the same all over the world, or at least all over any part of the world that might be vaguely woth living in.
My favourite, though I've never actually visited the campus, is called Dingoto University. I have the sweat shirt.
But why go at all? You can get any degree you want over the internet, for a lot less time and money!
I miss the teenage girls exploring their sexual identity. But I suppose that's available over the internet these days, too.
I'll admit I love the "scenery" at universities, but when you reach a certain age you can't really enjoy the scenery without feeling like a dirty old pervert.
Nah. You don't have to feel like a DOP. You just need a Ferrari.
Yeah I remember when I was in University and wanted to put the moves on someone, but some older dude with money and a car would come by and she'd date him instead.
So university students, especially first year students, couldn't get any action. But I remember in high school that first year university students got all the girls. So we basically couldn't date anyone.
But now that I think about it, if this trend continues of women only dating older men, then really old ladies should be available, at least until the dead rise from the grave and are looking for some loving. Maybe that's who high school boys should date, really old ladies.
Post a Comment
<< Home