View Full Version : School Complaint/Banter Thread
uncballzer
03-15-2008, 01:04 AM
I've always enjoyed learning. I love just sitting and reading, whether it be anthropology or geology or pathology. But I've grown to hate certain aspects about the academic setting. Here's some of my complaints. Please, feel free to add your own!
First, I'm all for older students, but the soccer mom referencing everything about her kids' medical history during a pediatric lecture, wasting everyone's time, that's a no-no. Go take a time out.
Students yelling at professors over a bad question, or a bad test grade. That's disrespectful. Wait till they harm a patient during their residency, they'll get their own.
Not giving back the exam so that you can learn from your mistakes, only because your staff is too lazy to right new questions, even though half of them take them straight from the text anyway? I personally really hate this, we can look at our exams afterwards, but we cannot take any sort of notes from them at all. We do not get the exams back, and actually, most of the questions/tests are the same year after year this way. How I know this? Cheating scandal. Over 2/3rds of our exam was exactly the same from the year before. Stop being lazy and right new exam questions, especially since you have at most 15-20 questions; the major points are retested year after year anyways, so regardless it's essentially going to be the same.
Don't completely throw out questions just because 90% of the class missed the question. It hurts the grades of the other 10%. If need be, curve at the end of the class.
If attendance isn't mandatory, and you suck as a lecture (ie boring, reading straight from the slides), don't complain when no one shows up for class (especially the day after a major exam at 8 in the morning).
Exams every 2 weeks that are 50% of the course grade, with class from 8-5 daily with labs, and you expect us to study for boards on top of that? REALITY CHECK!
Tuition so high for a public school that by the time I'm done, my education is going to have cost more than my first mortgage. Solution: STOP spending money on useless plasma TV's in the classroom that doesn't get used, and $400 on individual chairs that are supposed to be "ergonomically" the best, when in actuality, they have created more back problems than have solved.
Housing costs that are outragious! $650 for an apartment that has no porch, no dishwasher, no dogs, walls so thin you can hear someone piss in the next apartment over, where the only cable you can get is SuddenLink, and this is in the middle of West Virginia! Again, $650!! I would have only paid about $400 for the same apartment in Chapel Hill. Solution? On campus housing!
No cafe on campus! What??? When the only road to get anything to eat is 2 lane and the traffic is worse than in NY? Solution? Sell those classroom chairs and build something useful for a chance.
In conclusion, :sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb.
I could go on and on. This is very therapeutic, almost as good as a cigar! So, what are your complaints?
vstrommark
03-15-2008, 01:18 AM
In conclusion, :sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb:sb.
I could go on and on. This is very therapeutic, almost as good as a cigar! So, what are your complaints?
I have taught computer science at two academic institutions. My main complaint is that students are viewed as cash cows and not the future of our industry. It isn't much work for the professor to invest in each and every student to help ensure that learning is occurring for everyone possible. Yes, you can't play as much golf or do as much consulting, but isn't producing the best possible graduate the whole point and not that other stuff?
Students are American schools take what is dished out to them and very rarely push for change. They are doing themselves a disservice.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=eyu7nN3kBnw
icehog3
03-15-2008, 02:14 AM
My complaint is that the fun days of school are over for me and I have to work 50 hours a week to support my cigar habit. ;)
ScottishSmoker
03-15-2008, 04:24 AM
I too have many complaints pertaining to the education system as a whole. I went to a private college, which in hindsight, was a mistake. The students were nothing more than income to the school. They really did nothing to help certain students excel. If I do not enjoy a class, or find it useless (half of the classes I took hold no bearing in my education as something I could not have done with out) or so easy that it bores you to sleep, I will most likely get poor grades...however, if the school allowed an independent study side I would do very well. Not my school..."we do not employ the idea of independent study for our class sizes are small enough that it is a lot like independent study, except in groups." Needless to say, I stopped giving them my money. As far as the housing issue you are having, it does not surprise me one iota. It was actually cheaper for me to rent an apartment, at $1000.00 a month, than it was to live on campus for 6 months. I am glad that I have moved on from that "Educational Institution." I could rant for a lot longer but I need a smoke instead...
M1903A1
03-15-2008, 10:52 AM
My days in "higher(?) education" ended eight years ago, and for that I am grateful every day. I had to work my way through for five and a half years (took out a loan only for my final year, and even that was a pain), and I honestly think I learned more valuable skills on the job. Too many sucko instructors (either mouth-breathing idiots or geniuses off in their own little worlds), impossible policies (the first school I went to only allowed you to drop a class in the first two weeks, after that it was an F) and a general lack of help when I needed it. Oh, add to that a lot of :BS classes (though I have to say, I did not have any PC-type issues) and being fist-f***ed every semester on buying textbooks....
My alma mater still sends me appeals for donations. I should really simplify the process and change my address with them, so they can just send them straight to the landfill!
uncballzer
03-15-2008, 01:17 PM
I have taught computer science at two academic institutions. My main complaint is that students are viewed as cash cows and not the future of our industry. It isn't much work for the professor to invest in each and every student to help ensure that learning is occurring for everyone possible.
I'm dishing out 50K a year for tuition, out of state, for a public school, plus about 25 more for living expenses for the year (not including the two summer months when I'm still having to pay rent then too). The rumor going around in our school is that basically we can do whatever we want, cause they're not going to kick us out, risking loosing that 50K/year.
uncballzer
05-07-2008, 03:08 PM
Mandatory lectures (all day) the day before an exam
http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/dimebar_probably/Smileys/th_chainsaw.gif
madurolover
05-07-2008, 03:24 PM
Mandatory lectures (all day) the day before an exam
http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/dimebar_probably/Smileys/th_chainsaw.gif
Glad I graduate tommorrow.:D
DETROITPHA357
05-07-2008, 03:57 PM
My complaint is that the fun days of school are over for me and I have to work 50 hours a week to support my cigar habit. ;)Tom dont you still hang out at your Old High School from time to time:D
Glad I graduate tommorrow.:D
Congrads
madurolover
05-07-2008, 04:10 PM
Congrads
Thanks Booker. i just wish I would have had the sense to do this 20 years ago.:confused:
uncballzer
05-07-2008, 05:00 PM
Glad I graduate tommorrow.:D
Graduation for me is a couple years away still; but at least in a month I'll be outta Lewisburg WV and into the worser part of WV so they say (ie shootings/stabbings in the ER constantly)
Seanohue
05-07-2008, 08:39 PM
Tuition so high for a public school that by the time I'm done, my education is going to have cost more than my first mortgage. Solution: STOP spending money on useless plasma TV's in the classroom that doesn't get used, and $400 on individual chairs that are supposed to be "ergonomically" the best, when in actuality, they have created more back problems than have solved.
My tuition cost after 4 years could buy a decent sized house. Be happy for your state funded schools :r
uncballzer
05-07-2008, 08:48 PM
My tuition cost after 4 years could buy a decent sized house. Be happy for your state funded schools :r
Unfortunately, not really. I think they're trying to go back to being private. My tuition right now is roughly 50K a year, not including 25K for living/etc. They do get some from the state, but not as much as WVU or Marshall.
Seanohue
05-07-2008, 09:46 PM
Unfortunately, not really. I think they're trying to go back to being private. My tuition right now is roughly 50K a year, not including 25K for living/etc. They do get some from the state, but not as much as WVU or Marshall.
How is it over 50K? Mine is private and is 49K for my sophomore year, including room and board.
uncballzer
05-07-2008, 10:23 PM
How is it over 50K? Mine is private and is 49K for my sophomore year, including room and board.
Out of state. Instate is roughly 19K/yr. This is just tuition. It's one of the most expensive medical schools for some damned reasoning (don't ask me why, have no clue). Then there is another 25 or so for living expenses, books, board fees, etc.
andrewsutherland2002
05-07-2008, 10:43 PM
I hate the soccer moms who take up too much time in class asking dumb questions or either relating something to their life constantly. Once in a while is okay, not just the entire class. I was there to hear the professor, not the old woman on the front row, center aisle.
Kidrock387
05-07-2008, 10:58 PM
:r:r THATS SO TRUE I'M LAUGHING SO HARD I'AM CRYING
I hate the soccer moms who take up too much time in class asking dumb questions or either relating something to their life constantly. Once in a while is okay, not just the entire class. I was there to hear the professor, not the old woman on the front row, center aisle.
uncballzer
05-07-2008, 11:13 PM
Oh yeah, I forgot about the soccer moms--ours just got a divorce. She's not said much lately :ss
madurolover
05-08-2008, 07:57 AM
I love soccer moms.
:chk:chk
squid
05-08-2008, 09:15 AM
I love soccer moms.
:chk:chk
madurolover....you ARE a soccer mom, aren't you???? :ss
madurolover
05-08-2008, 01:13 PM
madurolover....you ARE a soccer mom, aren't you???? :ss
:tg :tg :tg
Wow, I don't have nearly as many complaints as you guys. My school has been pretty good, not perfect, but good. In general, my professors have been great and really tried to help us succeed. I have landed an internship at a research institution for my senior year, which will hopefully get me into grad school, and I owe that to my professors. UNCballzer, most of the MDs I know are making plenty of money, so I wouldn't worry too much about having to take out loans, although the MD/PhD's I know are very happy about having their tuition paid for.
andrewsutherland2002
05-09-2008, 06:52 PM
Wow, I don't have nearly as many complaints as you guys. My school has been pretty good, not perfect, but good. In general, my professors have been great and really tried to help us succeed. I have landed an internship at a research institution for my senior year, which will hopefully get me into grad school, and I owe that to my professors. UNCballzer, most of the MDs I know are making plenty of money, so I wouldn't worry too much about having to take out loans, although the MD/PhD's I know are very happy about having their tuition paid for.
PhD's? Who here has a PhD? I am shooting for that within the next ten years. Always interested in a BOTL who has experienced the true peak of education in their field.
I don't know anyone here who has one, I am applying to grad programs next year, but in the post I was referring to MD/PhD s (people who have both an MD and a PhD degree). They get their grad school paid for just like a PhD does.
The Professor
05-09-2008, 11:24 PM
PhD's? Who here has a PhD? I am shooting for that within the next ten years. Always interested in a BOTL who has experienced the true peak of education in their field.
I don't know anyone here who has one, I am applying to grad programs next year, but in the post I was referring to MD/PhD s (people who have both an MD and a PhD degree). They get their grad school paid for just like a PhD does.
I've got one ... and the student loan debt to prove it! :chk
ResIpsa
05-09-2008, 11:26 PM
PhD's? Who here has a PhD? I am shooting for that within the next ten years. Always interested in a BOTL who has experienced the true peak of education in their field.
I've got one ... and the student loan debt to prove it! :chk:tpd: Well.....a doctorate anyhoo, :ss
vstrommark
05-09-2008, 11:30 PM
Always interested in a BOTL who has experienced the true peak of education in their field.
I'm a bit confused by the "true peak of education" comment. While I do not have a PhD, I have taught grad school (comp sci) and sat on PhD committees. A PhD is a starting point, not an end point.
I'd put my meager knowledge of my area against about any new PhDs any day of the week. Education is life-long, not degree based.
uncballzer
05-10-2008, 12:04 AM
My medicine degree is going to be the end-point for me. Although will have to keep up with the "continuing medical education" classes/etc. So, damn it, I'll never be done with school!!!:mad:
When I look at how expensive my undergrad has been, I am very happy about the package grad schools provide. I love the idea that I will get paid to get my degree, and that I won't have to pay any more tuition.
uncballzer
07-23-2008, 11:26 PM
So, who's ready for school to start again? I've been going hard at it for four weeks now, and it's killing my beauty sleep.
andrewsutherland2002
07-24-2008, 12:58 AM
I'm a bit confused by the "true peak of education" comment. While I do not have a PhD, I have taught grad school (comp sci) and sat on PhD committees. A PhD is a starting point, not an end point.
I'd put my meager knowledge of my area against about any new PhDs any day of the week. Education is life-long, not degree based.
I stand corrected.
Well said.
stfoley
07-29-2008, 07:21 AM
I feel for the OP....The cost of just one year of my college was 24,000....I needed over 20,000 in grants and scholarships and still had to take out a stafford loan to do it.
I gave up after that year and just went directly into the electronics field (I had enough prior knowledge to get my foot in the door, thankfully).
College isn't near as bad as high school anymore. graduated in 98, and there were people in my class that graduated that couldn't even read. I'm not joking....reading comprehension well below that of a second grader. The teachers just gave up on him and kept curving him to get him out of their hair.
Then there's the politics behind the no child left behind act...which I won't go into. The sentiment was right, but the execution of it was just terrible. It needs to be repealed until it can be re-introduced in a form that's far less defective than the current one.
When I have a child, that child is going to private school...it will cost buku bucks, but it will be well worth it for the better standard of education.