Math class homework.
It’s been awhile since I’ve taken a course with weekly work given that is actually called ‘homework.’ Normally the professors use what I refer to as college-speak. They give us ‘assignments’ or ‘papers’ or ‘investigations’ or ‘projects’ or ‘observations’ or ‘reports’ or, well, you get the idea. But no matter what the professors call it, it all adds up to the same thing: stuff that has 1. a due date and 2. has to be done on your own time before said due date. Or if the class if late enough or taken online, on said due date.
Anyway, I walk into math class this morning and sit down at my usual table with my usual math partners. Young College Guy (Y.C.Guy) says to Young College Girl (Y.C.Grl) “Did you do your homework?” Y.C.Grl: “Nope.” Y.C.Guy: “Good, me either, there was just so much of it so I didn’t do it.” Y.C.Grl: “I never do homework.”
And this is where I chime in: “Why not? There isn’t anything to it. You do the work, and right or wrong he gives you full credit. Easy points.”
And then I hear the words every mother dreads to hear. Y.C.Grl: “Oh my god! My mother says the same thing! She is always like if it’s easy and doesn’t take much time, why don’t you do it?”
GREAT. Not only have I become like MY mother. But I have become like other people’s mothers too.
So, to save face, I say “Well, don’t forget I am a mother. So yeah, I have the experience and knowledge that comes with that and one day you will too. Besides, if it comes down to 10 or less points between an A and a B or worse yet a D and a C, wouldn’t you feel pretty crappy if you didn’t have those 10 points all because you failed to complete an easy free point assignment?”
I don’t think she bought it.
Of course, at some point during class we got into a discussion again about school and how Y.C.Guy has failed a few classes, and Y.C.Grl has never gotten lower than a C. Anyway they looked at me, and so I said “And I’ve never gotten lower than an A.” Both there mouths dropped open. So I explained that yeah, I’m a nerd when it comes to learning. If I could get paid for being a full time student and just go from semester to semester taking classes I totally would.
Unfortunately you just can’t do that. And this probably explains my choice of career…teaching.
More posts like this:
- I always get labeled the “smart” one. – February 4, 2009
- And the first school week is over. – August 28, 2008
- Snow seriously messes up my day. – January 27, 2009
- How my planner reads: – August 15, 2008
- Now final grades are in. – December 19, 2007
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