Tuesday, November 30, 2010

the most important lessons I learn are the ones I stumble across while skipping class

There's one particular quality that makes things happen, makes "the world go around." It's necessary in any kind of interaction. What is it? Not love, I'm afraid.

Respect. Nothing is as soothing to the soul as a healthy dose of respect. It doesn't matter what form it comes in, or who it comes from.

And since respect is so incredibly crucial to our self-esteem and happiness, there's not much worse than failing to receive it.

And THAT is my issue with the education system.

I don't mind showing up to class. I don't mind doing tedious essays or ridiculous activities for my online class (come on, do I really need to fill out an online dating application? I have no reason to online date.. and even if I did, I'm part of a tech-savvy generation. I know better than to put my address on a dating form.)

What I do mind is the way none of my teachers consider me responsible for my own actions. So what, I missed your class three times last week? My loss - not your problem. I'm the one who decided not to go, so why do I need a note from my  mother?

It's disrespectful. It's condescending. I am not a child. I may not be the most mature person in the world, but I am mature enough to make my own decisions about what I do with my time. Generally, I choose that I want to go to my classes and learn stuff. Sometimes, I choose not to.

Math and science and English are important, but there is no real reason to keep us in class for six hours a day, five days a week, ten months a year, for twelve years. There's only so much you can teach a group of bored, rebellious kids during those six hours, and pretty much everything after the fourth hour doesn't even process, no matter how hard we try.

In my opinion? School is just a snazzy kind of daycare. Don't know what to do with your child? Ship 'em off to sit in a desk for six hours - convieniently out of the way, and there's even a chance of them learning a thing or two.

And, well, if I was a parent, that would make sense to me. I wouldn't want my child to sit at home when they could be learning social skills and basic math. On the other hand, there's also a time when they won't need their daycare center any more. An age where they have made their goals and want to follow them; an age where they become responsible for the decision to suceed or not to suceed.

I think as we get into these last few years, Grade 12 and even Grade 11, we've reached that point. If we learn, it's because we want to learn - and if we don't want to, we'll probably just stare out the window all day or talk to our friends. And there are kids like me, who have no real interest in classes. Some days we do, but mostly we just want to GET IT OVER WITH.

So why do I have to bring a note if I skip class one Monday? I didn't want to learn anyways, and all I would do would be to distract other people in the classroom. I've made a decision about my goals, and I know it's my responsibility, if I suceed or if I fail. At this point, the system is no long beneficial, just a tether. I'm resentful of the way I am being treated, of the lack of responsibilities given to me by my teachers.

I am not a child, so why am I still being treated like one? I am learning to take responsibility and be an adult - so is it not destructive to my progress to deny me the ability to be an adult? My mother does not care if I miss a class, so why does the school have to call her up, interrupt her day, so she can lie and say she knew about my activities on Monday?

How is this in any way preparing me for the future? No matter how good my grades are, college won't do anything if I'm  not able to be responsible for going to class. I am not going to be coddled by condescending teachers and worried parents in the real world.

I refuse to buy into this system. I refuse to believe life is about academics. I will be successful at my own rate, in my own time, by my own rules. And I will be entirely responsible for my success.

1 comment:

  1. G R E A T !
    I reading your” ”I finally chose to post a thought, and let me tell you this really is yet another very powerful post. I have been going through some of your past threads, I appreciate your essay.

    ReplyDelete