Unconventional Curriculum

  “I wish we weren’t graded on this.”

  “I hope this isn’t taken for a grade.”

“I’m so worried about the grade that I don’t think I’m actually learning.”

At one time or another, practically every student has said at least one (if not all) of these statements regarding the current grading system in education. Then, boy, does Evergreen State University seem all the more attractive with its alternative narrative-style evaluations. But, in reality, is it the best solution?

This college’s approach to academics is rather different than JBU’s in one obvious aspect: the appraisal of the student’s learning progress. While the current letter grade system is an an attempt at objectivity, it is much less subjective than the narrative method; however, it is also much more intensive than this alternative. Evergreen’s programs consist of a very wide range of subjects rolled into one class that is lead more so than taught by a group of professors.

What?

Personally, I do not think that this approach would be the best idea. Maybe it works for some people, I don’t know, but it certainly seems like it would dilute all of the material and make the learning process much less effective in its impression. Although this new way of assessing a student’s understanding of certain subjects appears to prepare one for the “real-world” review that one would receive from one’s boss, I doubt that employers could properly gauge the accuracy of such a subjective grading system. Simple changes in word phrasing could make or break one’s success with employment in the future, whereas letter grades and the knowledge of the college’s programs’ levels of difficulty are much more easily recognized and judged. It would be nice, not having the stress and pressure of making individual grades, but I do not think it to be the wisest replacement of the usual modus operandi.

A Stranger in the Crowd

       The caf was buzzing with continuous conversation and chattering when I walked in after a tiring practice. Knowing the task set before me, I begrudgingly began to look for a group of unfamiliar people with whom I could sit and talk with. (I am not exactly an extroverted individual; I am definitely hesitant to get out of my social comfort zone).

     I saw a table of a few seemingly friendly guys, and I decided that I should just go ahead and get the awkwardness over with. I walked over and asked if it was alright if I sat there, and was somewhat surprised to be greeted rather kindly. Shortly after exchanging the typical who-are-you information, it turned out that each knew friends of mine.  Conversation quickly picked up, and we began talking about college life, classes, and friends--like practically every first conversation in which college students partake.

     Before, I felt apprehensive, afraid. Afraid that I would be rejected, not accepted by others. Afraid that they would think that I was not worth the time and effort of even casual conversation. Afraid that they would think me boring or average or simply plain. In retrospect, it seems such a silly thing to worry about, but it was such a powerful emotion beforehand that I was in a negative mood just thinking about it.

      As the conversation went on, I became much more comfortable, much more at ease. I thought, “This isn’t too bad. They seem to be treating me like any other human being.” I wondered why they weren’t as cold or indifferent towards me as I expected, but I was comforted by their warm and inviting attitudes. I began to listen intently as one of them was explaining his experience as a freshman the year before, and he gave helpful advice on involvement without overcommitment.

     Afterwards, I wondered why I had felt so negatively about finding someone I did not know, for it was a rather fun and interesting experience in the long run. Interacting with “new” people need not be such an uncomfortable dreading of awkward situations, but rather an expectation of new and exciting opportunities.

Thoughts, Hopes, and Dreams

         My mind is constantly running, never quite reaching a point of stillness or tranquility. Taking time out of my busy schedule to just sit down and think about my life seemed, at first, a rather bizarre thing for me to do since I am always running about doing something. However, upon being asked to do so, I supposed it couldn’t be too difficult.

          It took quite a while to quiet down my interior monologue enough to where I could just sit in silence. 

          “What is my dream?”

          At first it seemed such a simple question. Yet this dream was supposed to be what I really wanted, not what I feel pressured to do by friends, family, or society. I paused mid-thought when I came upon this obstacle. 

          “What do I really want to do in life?”

          I have such varied interests and passions, and I felt somewhat overwhelmed by the prospective “dream.” I love theatre and acting; I enjoy listening to and playing music; I am intrigued by the inner workings of the human body and mind; I am interested in the histories and cultures of the world; I like the intricacies and nuances of language and linguistics; but how could I possibly choose between these things as my dream?

          I feel as though I can do so many things, that I have so much to contribute--but I sometimes fear that I cannot do or be enough. I feel as though there is such a waste of potential with having to narrow down my training and education that I simply cannot have enough time to truly become the best at what I do.  Despite this time of meditation and solitude, I have yet to come up with an answer that I am proud of, that I feel is truly right. I feel as though I can never do it justice if I label it, pin it down with a name. While I can occasionally command the English language in a way that conveys my thoughts and emotions, words fail when it comes to describing or explaining what I see in my mind. It is in times like these that I seem to be capable of thinking in only colors, pictures, and other abstract media. Because it seems as though I cannot think in concrete terms on this particular subject, I feel as though I have failed. What I have seemingly failed, I do not know or understand. (The mind is funny like that, I suppose).

          I just want to be the best at whatever I put my hand to. I have a desire to prepare myself in every way, shape, and form. I want to learn new languages, play new instruments, portray new characters, discover new facts, understand more of everything. (I am a collector--if not hoarder--of information, it seems).

          In any case, I want to be able to help others through my gifts, talents, and skills. Whether that means helping in the physical rehabilitation of an injured child or even bringing joy and laughter to people’s faces through comedic musical theatre, I do not know. However anticlimactic and dull an answer it may appear to be, my dream as of yet is to develop every skill I can so that I may best help others to realize their own dreams.