So, it’s a thursday afternoon at your typical college campus. I have a (I think-) date tonight. I need to wash my hair. There’s a demonstration going on outside to protest the closing of a beloved student cafe. Also, I am tired, since I spend all last night doing my Canadian Government reading. You see, there are several things I’d love to be doing right now. Sitting in this class is not one of them.
You see, I love Econ. Seriously, in high school I had to switch to the intensive econ-classes because I became actively jealous of those learning more than myself. So, after two years, and top marks on my asinine final exam, it’s pretty clear I want to take some more lovely econ. But, because of university regulations, I must spend two semesters on a total of three intro-level micro and macro courses.
I’ve tried to get out of them. I’ve spoken to several advisors, brought transcripts from my old course, the syllabus detailing what I know, even a note from my old coordinator confirming my aptitude for econ. But Zilch. Nada. “I’m sorry, we can’t let you skip the classes”.
The biggest joke however is that due to the HS-programme I completed (IB, in case anyone knows it) I get to skip the first year. First year, but none of the first-year courses.
So I get to spend four hours total a week in two classes that are mind-numbingly boring, to the point of using the same textbook. And since I’m just that good a girl, I’m not skipping.
What is going on in these classes? Just lectures? If so then just sit and work on whatever other work you have. The lecturer won’t know the difference between taking notes and writing an essay.
It’s a 200+ person lecture, which is why I have my computer with me, to entertain myself. I do plan on writing a Political theory essay later, but right now what’s buggin me is that there are so many things I want to do in Meatspace instead of surfing the Dope (Sorry! )
Otherwise, all of us working stiffs are giving a world’s smallest violin concerto to the tune of “my fucking idiot boss is making me sit in a meeting, even though not even 1% of the information communicated in that meeting has shit-all to do with me or my department”
I’m somewhat frightened that I can guess where you go, because matt_mcl posted a rant about the closing of the same cafe. I think I’ve been surfing the Dope too much.
You can’t “test out” of these classes? Some Universities allow you to receive credit for a class without attending by passing an exam to the satisfaction of the class professor and the department dean.
If there are group projects and/or papers due as part of the class requirements, then this may not be possible. You may know the material but class interaction and independent research is still important! If the class consists of nothing but lectures and exams, it may be worth a shot.
What he said. Sucks, yes, but this is how the real world works, too. If you’re not required to attend the class, just show up for tests, turn in the BS essays you have to write. See if you can talk to an advisor about testing out of the classes - for your IB exams, which ones did you take?
I’m an IB grad too, so I got to opt out of the Gen Ed requirements…but later on, I decided to take some no-pressure classes so I wouldn’t go insane from finishing my Chemistry major.
Welcome to the land of martlets, where common sense goes out the window. I’ve had to deal with similar things in my professional diploma (read: I got an equivalency for a course that I took in my undergrad, and now I have to dig up a paper I wrote for that class seven years ago for my portfolio) and it isn’t pretty.
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