Janet Collins
Billy MSchool Zones: 100 - 0 in 0.0012 seconds.
December 11th 2006 12:11
The pressure cooker: Helsinki Uni. Math Lecture
From the moment you put down the pen, everything seems so very very real. That was it. I've done it - I've really done it. And in less than 10 minutes, I'll be on my way for a kebab and Coke - the sweetest meal I will have ever consumed; more for it's social properties than any nutritional value. That's what went through my mind as I scribbled furiously on my Media exam, my Literature exam, my English exam, my Business exam.. the only one that didn't matter was the first. Because that was the first of many possible failures and many painstaking moments waiting.
It's sad, but the facts are blatant and glaring - strong, consistent grades are vital. And it's a system that favours a minority of focussed workhorses. Realistically, it provides an adverse youth culture to rival that of western society's body image epidemic. This one is a contender. The feeling of failure amounts to pure isolation - because no-one can help you once its done.
And it's over the month before that sickening knot in the pit of your stomach is loosened and tensions relieved. It's a month before scores are released, a month before 26 weeks of estimations are proved ridiculously optimistic. It's a system of inevitable disappointments. But if you work hard, you get you want. To the victor go the spoils. Yeah? Not quite.
Anyone can achieve a solid grade in high school - the real challenge is assuming independance, responsibility and finding motivation in the 3 months before University. For most, this isn't a problem. But those kids are the ones who work for themselves - without constant pressure and external help. And still, it's a waiting game. From the submission of the final assignment, the last line of the exam - the final word on the re-enrolment its clear - this is a game.
The only advice I can give - the best advice anyone can give any student is this: Find out what you want to do NOW and do it. Because whatever your grades, no matter the failures, the successes - this is a world where you can create opportunity - not just seek it.
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Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
You're right, in the real world, grades mean 'stuff-all'. It's all about your ability and drive to succeed. Do you know that other than 1 employer, nobody has ever asked about my results from high school, uni or my post grad studies! Which is a shame cos I kicked ass on all of them.
Sir Richard Branson left school at age 15, and he's a billionaire.
KylieW
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Another piece of advice I was given was, if you go to uni, your marks don't really matter just finishing the degree is enough for employer to realise that you can commit and have the drive to complete a long term task. Depends on the degree I suppose.
I know at uni I didn't learn close to what I needed to know about working in the big bad world. I suppose that leads back to my previous point.
So AnthonyB I take it you are carving out your future in an "unorthodox" manner?
Mrs M
Comment by AnthonyB
Not working so well. I'm leaving my course next year and might be taking on something completely different. I love learning though, so i suppose I'm doomed.
Thanks everyone for your posts!!
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Oh and I did get quite good at pool and playing card games. I guess I learnt the most from my fellow students than I did from the tutors and lecturers.
Good luck with the writing. I would love nothing more than to hole myself up somewhere and write a screenplay. But I suppose my kids would starve. Ah bugger 'em. They've got a father.
Look forward to reading more of your posts.
Love & stuff
Mrs M