Friday, August 13, 2004
Things are getting busier, but are still manageable. It seems that Wharton adds activities and classes logarithmically in order to ease you back into school. Right now, I'm taking Stats and MGEC (econ). We have the big math test Monday morning, which seems to have people stressed out. I'm not too worried, though. Not that I've mastered all the concepts - it's just that I don't normally get stressed out by tests. We'll see what song I'm singing when Tuesday rolls around.
There is an attempt by the faculty to change part of Wharton's culture. When I visited last year, I noticed that student's came and went from classes, which was often sanctioned by the professors. While I understand that can be distracting, I actually liked that part of Wharton's culture. I thought it spoke to the fact that what you get out of Wharton is what you put in - since the student's are adults, I saw the fact that they came in and out of class as a testament to their individual choices.
Well, I guess others didn't like that too much, because this year during preterm the profs have been MAJOR sticklers about being on time. Most of the classes have assigned seats, and we aren't supposed to leave during class. Now I have a couple of problems with that. 1)I want to sit where I want to sit. I want to sit near the front, so I can hear better and can see the board. I think we should be allowed to sit in an area that meets our needs. Like in stats I'm in the second to last row, and I have trouble hearing. I'm a little miffed that the faculty's desire to control the class has affected my ability to learn in class. 2) And I don't ask for permission to pee. If I need to go to the bathroom, I'm going. I'm 29 years old. I didn't ask permission to pee when I was in high school, and I'm sure as hell not going to start now. I'll be damned if I need to ask another adult if I can use the restroom. I'm not on a prison chain gang.
So, because Wharton is all about coproduction, I intend to do more than just whine about this stuff. I'm going to find out about what I can do about it. Stay tuned on this one.
Despite the increased analness of the faculty, I still love it here. My classmates are amazing. And I find the material interesting so far. I also like that I have the opportunity to affect change at the school. It's all pretty darn cool.
There is an attempt by the faculty to change part of Wharton's culture. When I visited last year, I noticed that student's came and went from classes, which was often sanctioned by the professors. While I understand that can be distracting, I actually liked that part of Wharton's culture. I thought it spoke to the fact that what you get out of Wharton is what you put in - since the student's are adults, I saw the fact that they came in and out of class as a testament to their individual choices.
Well, I guess others didn't like that too much, because this year during preterm the profs have been MAJOR sticklers about being on time. Most of the classes have assigned seats, and we aren't supposed to leave during class. Now I have a couple of problems with that. 1)I want to sit where I want to sit. I want to sit near the front, so I can hear better and can see the board. I think we should be allowed to sit in an area that meets our needs. Like in stats I'm in the second to last row, and I have trouble hearing. I'm a little miffed that the faculty's desire to control the class has affected my ability to learn in class. 2) And I don't ask for permission to pee. If I need to go to the bathroom, I'm going. I'm 29 years old. I didn't ask permission to pee when I was in high school, and I'm sure as hell not going to start now. I'll be damned if I need to ask another adult if I can use the restroom. I'm not on a prison chain gang.
So, because Wharton is all about coproduction, I intend to do more than just whine about this stuff. I'm going to find out about what I can do about it. Stay tuned on this one.
Despite the increased analness of the faculty, I still love it here. My classmates are amazing. And I find the material interesting so far. I also like that I have the opportunity to affect change at the school. It's all pretty darn cool.
