What is wrong with me?

[Virginia Dawn]

In December I was pining away to do something significant with my life. So I enrolled in community college and got myself into a World History class. I was so enthusiastic, now I can't wait for it to be over. :001_huh:

This happened to me every year in ps. I would start the year gung-ho, only to become terribly apathetic after I figured out how much effort it took to maintain my grades. The challenge motivates me, no challenge, no motivation.

Now that I've turned in a couple of papers and recieved the coveted A's, I just want to quit. I'm ready to move on to something else. Like summer! So now I have to force myself to keep up with the work, something I avoided as much as possible as a child. Of course, I'll see it through to the end and probably go back and try something else. Then it will happen all over again.

I think the most discouraging part of class is the fact that there is virtually no conversation. The teacher knows his stuff but is not engaging. We all sit there trying not to yawn and looking at the clock from time to time.
Class ends like this: "Anyquestions?Good.Seeyounextweek." Also, all the assignments are essays which must be based solely on the material given in class and gleaned from the text book. No outside resources are suggested, and special permission must be given if someone wants to use another source.

I guess you could call this a meat and potatoes class, but the meat is a little tough and the potatoes are underdone. :tongue_smilie: I want my education to be more appetizing. Sigh.

[MicheleinMN]

I know exactly what you mean!

This is why I haven't spent the money or the time to take a CC class. (Not to mention that I don't have the money or the time!)

Keep trying!! Perhaps a literature class would have more discussion/interaction?

Please let me know if you find a subject that keeps your interest. ;) (maybe it would be able to hold mine too.)

Michele

[Plaid Dad]

Nothing is wrong with you at all. Every time I think about going back to school, I remember that this is what most of my classes were like, even in graduate school. I just don't think I'd have the patience for it at this stage in my life.

I'm sorry the class has been a disappointment to you. :( Do you have plans to take any other courses? Maybe you could talk to other students to find teachers who are more dynamic and who encourage class discussion? Most schools have some form of teacher evaluation; if you're offered that, you can note the things that would have made the class more engaging. Most teachers do take those kinds of suggestions seriously, particularly from mature students.

[JFS in IL]

you are reacting to what sounds like a poorly presented class. Possibly you are a gifted individual (else why would you be taking a college class for fun ;) ) and need to be homeschooled yourself. Bet this was the case whenyou were a schoolkid, too. A Learning Company course might be more fun for you (since they only use the best of the best recommended instructors) than a class aimed mostly at (bored) kids eager only to get a history credit out of the way.

Sometimes you can hit the jackpot with an instructor, esp. at CC - I had a GREAT, engaging teacher, moonlighting form the nearby State U., when I took an evening Shakespeare course. Our class was on fire from the instructor's obvious enthuiasm, and some nights did not stop at 9pm but kept going until 11 (when the janitorial staff kicked us out of the building.)

I can not spell enmthusiams. enthusiaism. Ah, pooey. You know what word I mean, right?

[Rosie_0801]

I figure if you aren't allowed to enjoy your class, quit and do something else! Back at uni it was commonly held that one should choose classes according to who taught, not so much what topic. I always sat down in the front of the lecture hall and nodded, smiled, dropped jaw in awe of really cool information, frowned, pulled faces, muttered under my breath etc. I very rarely interrupted, as it's not usually the done thing in a lecture (tutes were a different story!) but the lecturers felt better when someone actually looked like they were listening! How much enthusiasm would you retain for homeschooling if your kids sat there, poker faced, drawing on their books? Well that's what lecturers have been doing for the last 20 years. No wonder they teach like zombies! I took a few subjects with the one lecturer who pretty much pitched his lecture to me, never mind everyone else who was sitting there poker-faced, drawing on their books.
If I was you, I'd start interrupting with questions and looking perky. Then I'd have a chat to the teacher before or after class, to request the last half hour be open to discussion on the topics covered. Confess that you'll feel like an idiot if you're the only one talking, so would he please encourage everyone else to talk too! Let anyone else you roll your eyes to know you're going to request this. If the teacher forgets or 'forgets,' they can ask for some discussion time because they want to ask about x, y or z. This is a positive way of encouraging zombified teacher to learn new habits, they aren't going to say "no, shut up" to a bunch of adults.
Expect the first few weeks to be a bit stilted, but if you see no progress after two or three weeks, chuck it in!
Try not to put the teacher on the spot by asking opinions on this or that author, in case they haven't read it! A good teacher would have, but this fella doesn't sound so good :) "Has anyone read X? I wasn't sure about this claim they made, what does everyone think?" etc.
Good luck! Boredom sure doesn't get easier with practise!!
:)
Rosie

[OnTheBrink]

Aww, that's a shame your world history prof is boring. If you felt like commuting to central IL, I'd recommend an excellent world history prof who IS engaging, and encourages discussion.

I like taking classes for fun, too; I just don't have the time.

[Chris in VA]

Maybe you need to find someone to homeschool you! lol'ing, gently.

hang in there--maybe next year will have a more engaging teacher.

[Antonia]

Sounds like a lot of it may be the teacher. I've had both types of classes: those where the teacher was so boring all I could think about was not sticking my pen in my eye, and those where the teacher was so interesting that the class went by *too* fast. Hang in there!

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

Next time you take a course, be sure to check out your professor on ratemyprofessor.com. A professor will make or break a course and that site is a great way to ensure you are getting the challege you seek.

Barb

[Virginia Dawn]

I figure if you aren't allowed to enjoy your class, quit and do something else! Back at uni it was commonly held that one should choose classes according to who taught, not so much what topic. I always sat down in the front of the lecture hall and nodded, smiled, dropped jaw in awe of really cool information, frowned, pulled faces, muttered under my breath etc. I very rarely interrupted, as it's not usually the done thing in a lecture (tutes were a different story!) but the lecturers felt better when someone actually looked like they were listening! How much enthusiasm would you retain for homeschooling if your kids sat there, poker faced, drawing on their books? Well that's what lecturers have been doing for the last 20 years. No wonder they teach like zombies! I took a few subjects with the one lecturer who pretty much pitched his lecture to me, never mind everyone else who was sitting there poker-faced, drawing on their books.
If I was you, I'd start interrupting with questions and looking perky. Then I'd have a chat to the teacher before or after class, to request the last half hour be open to discussion on the topics covered. Confess that you'll feel like an idiot if you're the only one talking, so would he please encourage everyone else to talk too! Let anyone else you roll your eyes to know you're going to request this. If the teacher forgets or 'forgets,' they can ask for some discussion time because they want to ask about x, y or z. This is a positive way of encouraging zombified teacher to learn new habits, they aren't going to say "no, shut up" to a bunch of adults.
Expect the first few weeks to be a bit stilted, but if you see no progress after two or three weeks, chuck it in!
Try not to put the teacher on the spot by asking opinions on this or that author, in case they haven't read it! A good teacher would have, but this fella doesn't sound so good :) "Has anyone read X? I wasn't sure about this claim they made, what does everyone think?" etc.
Good luck! Boredom sure doesn't get easier with practise!!
:)
Rosie

I had to laugh at your description, you were spot on. My problem is I'm deathly afraid the teacher is going to think I'm flirting if I look too interested or "perky." There are only 3 of us in the class of a certain age, and he is one of them. Most of the rest of the students are under 20 and look like they are still wet behind the ears.

It's an odd feeling knowing the teacher is a contemporary of mine. Maybe I am that boring to my kids. :001_huh: