School BS.... As if we need more of it...

[Silver Moon]

I just have a question here for everyone who is in high school, or graduated recently.... Did you have your fair share of BS while you were here?

I just wanted to share that after being forced to dye my hair for it's 'distracting' qualities, flunking a math class that I shouldn't even be in, and everything else... Today the kids in our class had to go to the gym and test our BMI... It was for some thing to keep gym classes in school, but basically it was a test for all the kiddies to see how fat (or not) we are.

Well, I am just a bit sick of all of this school BS. I'm a Senior, dangit! so I just stayed in the bathroom the entire time. Peeking out the door to watch for when my classmates returned to their classrooms. Afterwards, all of the little skinny chickie-poo's came back crying and whining that they were 30 pounds overweight, and they were so fat... Girls wearing a size 3 saying they were never going to eat food again. Oye!

... However, we didn't HAVE to do this BMI fat test if we had a signed form from our parents, but in my case I wasn't at school yesterday and never got the form to sign in the first place! So I was in a bit of a bind...

Anyway, I have a question for everyone... To the people of my generation, do you all have to put up with all of the crap school throws at you? To everyone who is older, did you have to sift through the crap and Red Tape BS too? Please share, I am very interested in this...

But, away I go! I must do my math homework now, so ta-ta!

-K-

[marcello09]

As an older and (supposedly) responsible adult, I should probably say something like "Oh Kera, I know it's difficult but when you get older you'll see that it was all worthwhile."

But that would be a huge pile of doody!

From your description, Kera, it sounds like almost nothing has changed since I was in school. So much of it seemed pointless, because much of it WAS pointless. I mean, why was fourth-year algebra a required subject? I completely forgot everything I learned in that class and haven't had any need for that knowledge since. One of my high school friends recently asked "Why didn't they make car repair a required subject? That would have been useful information!"

I wasn't lazy -- I wanted to work. But school just wasn't holding my interest, so I'd skip classes to go work in a restaurant. Eventually I graduated, just barely, and started taking classes at a nearby community college. And I only took classes that I was interested in, which included psychology and design and -- one of my favorites -- welding! Many people said that I was unfocused and wasn't making the most of my potential, but I think I've done pretty well with myself. I've done much better than some people who followed the straight-and-narrow path. No regrets here!

And that BMI thing? I took that years ago. It said that I was WAY too skinny! I'm six-foot-two and probably weighed about 155 at the time. But I talked to my doctor about it and she said "You're healthy, don't worry about it." And that was that.

So I hear ya, Kera. I guess it's just something we all have to tolerate. Just remember that there's light at the end of the tunnel (insert train comment here). Hugs, dahling!

[lastgoldstar]

What the helllll... ?!

That's unbelievable. All of it. The administrators at your have some serious balls to be making you test your BMI levels. I don't see what that has to do with, well, anything. And everyone at your school was tested in front of each other? That's just... wrong.

And you had to dye your hair? "Distracting?" That's a crap excuse if I've ever heard one.

I had to deal with a lot of BS, too, but yours sort of takes the cake. I think the biggest load of crap shoved down our throats was the FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test). Jeb Bush thinks that thing is saving the school system. Right.

I need to organise my thoughts better... heh. I can't think straight when I'm irritated.

[Crickett]

Full Fledged High Five Marcello!!!! Complete Agreeance!!!

I am currently working on my 3rd college degree and can't say anything other than the majority of it is complete busy work and bullshit.... Granted I am a little older than most of the students but these professor's are so detached from the Real world it is disgusting... what makes me even more upset is how they use their power, status and ego to coeherce students in to fear, doubt and belief that they are inadequate... simply pitiful. Granted this might have to do with the University that I am attending to a large part.... but still I had to go back to school to "reinvent" my career due to my family, in hopes of a more stable (as in nonmobile) career. I work/ed as an Archaeologisy for almost 7 years and now I am in the Middle of Cultural Siberia learning about Urban Design with an emphasis (of my own creation) on Ecological Planning & Sustainability.

But YES Kera once You get out of High School... hold on tight to Your intuitive thoughts and follow them, they will lead You to the right path... There will always be bastards who try to drag You down, judge You and tell You you're wrong! Due to jealously, their lack of comprehension of diversity, their own un-dialted minds, selfishness, or simply because they are bored and unhappy with their own lives and feel as if they can create the illusion of power by trying assert their negative disortions of reality on to You.... Just don't accept it.

Sorry for the Soap Box.... School is Nothing like the real working world... also depending on Your emphasis and career field but if You are honest to Yourself and Open to others You realize that pitiful professors who degrate their students or make them change their hair color or whatever else ultimately are too afraid themselves to experience the Real world and fall on the crutch and comfortability of "teaching" the youth. Don't get me wrong their are a small handful of professor who Illuminate Your life and preception but once You go thru the "discipling process" of High School and College... You have the experience to Dismantle all the Plastic Perversions that they try to condition You with... and realize that You can simply levitate above the Stench.... Music, Communication with others/from friends to strangers, following Your passion and determination have all helped me find the Light at the end of the tunnel....

[godisinthesilences]

wow kera... that sounds like ahuge load of dookie!!!!!

Yes back in the stone age when I was in high school we had our fair share of BS,but nothing to compare with having a persons BMI tested! Well, unless you consider doing the "President's Physical Fitness" test. Ugh I dreaded that day as I'm just not a natural sporty type.

Seems like taking a teens BMI is a really good way to create health problems in a relatively normal weight young person. I mean come on young people have a level of fat that is necessary for development and growth! This sounds like a really great way to create eating disorders!

I'm sorry you have to deal with all this.... man I am soooooo happy to be out of high school....

[krausy]

Well, I was in high school in the early 80's, and frankly I could not figure it out. Every year seemed to be different for me, different "phases" I guess and I never looked or felt the same each year. I took what courses I could handle to slide by the requirements, but nothing too hard or challenging----I sometimes think I could have pushed my self to try the harder subjects but I knew my limitations. I sucked at Science because our lovely school system let teachers teach that were too old, too weird, or just decided not to cover the subject at all, so I didn't even attempt chemistry or physics---I was lucky to pass the regular science. I had soo much algebra, even in college and I can't remember any of it. Finally my senior year I decided screw it and just basically wore what I wanted and tried to just be me. I was on the outside, on the fringes with every clique, never belonging to one wholly and you know what? the school awards me with induction into the National Honor Society---go figure!!!! Baffles me to this day.

College was a little better, as you have more choice in what direction you want to go, but they still have stupid pre-requisites for graduation both in the general college and the degree programs. More stupid classes, even stranger professors, bordering on deranged!!! THe best experience by far was community college---that is where you meet the real people who have lived the real life and you in turn are taught by good teachers the real life skills. Everyone likes to make light of the community colleges but they by far are just as superior if not more so than the big universities. I don't regret for a minute going to a university----I met plenty of freaks but also met plenty of great people and learned an awful lot about myself in the process.................

As for what is going on at your school, I am sure the BMI crap is all about the issue of child obesity in the country, and as long as they are dealing with it in the right way, getting the necessary tools into the hands of the students that might need help with this, then fine. But I do agree it could make some already waif people think they have to conform to some kind of ideal. I think the school should focus on nutrition and wellness as a whole and above all take the stupid vending machines out!!!!!

And the hair thing is just bullcrap---I could see if you had 15 inch long spikes protruding from your head and you are poking Britney in the eye everytime you move in your desk, but the color? who cares? This school needs to get a grip or focus on the important stuff, like is everyone happy and NOT plotting to blow up the school..........know what I mean? Lets get the priorities straight.

Kera, be who you are and be what you believe in----from what I know you are doing just fine and many wonderful experiences are headed your way. You are a gal that will make it happen---no matter what it is you want to happen.

[godisinthesilences]

well pumpkin... i work for a community college.... and after having gone to so many other colleges and universities I have to say that private college/university educations are FAR superior to anything i've encountered on a state level.
I will also say though that it is going to vary state to state and I can only comment on NY state and the programs I was invested in.
So, don't everyone jump all over me... if you want to call me an elitist that is fine. I just know after years of public high school and also dealing with the state and county level colleges.... well I don't want to want to send my children to them.
I like the idea of homeschooling to a point and then private art schools.

[Xx_Vanity_xX]

Dude i hate BS from everyone at school; teachers and other students alike.

Mostly for the way i dress, act and look.

I dress, basically, like a circus freak. No joke. I love it, just putting on like a big frilly skirt and crazy coloured tights or jeans with a million chains hanging from them and a sh*tload of jewellery.

I've been called outta class by the headteacher because i 'distract' other students from their work. YEAH WHATEVER! I'd only distract them if i walked around class naked cos they're either too busy trying to find someone to lay at the weekend or wondering why everyone calls them emo.

Seriously, i'm normal compared to most people in my school.

I either get 'freak' 'goth' 'loser' 'retard' 'weirdo' shouted at me EVERY DAY! But to be honest i don't care, cos they're only compensating for the insecurities they have.

Rant over.

[godisinthesilences]

remember david's gingham pattern black and white coat from the 80s? well I had the same coat. I would wear it to school and the other kids would tell me it was distracting them... the pattern is wicked hypnotic. Well.... they would say take it off and i'd be like well stop looking at me... LOL Man I loved that coat! I wore it all the time!!!

I used to also have what i called "national clash day" I'd clash my clothes on purpose at least 1 day a week. WEEEEEEEE man i hated all those people i was in school with!

[krausy]

Gods, I know you are right about the private schools up and down the board. There's nothing like keeping the bureaucracy of state and county requirements out of the pursuit of education, and the ability to pretty much do whatever you want, that is if you have a decent board of directors that have the same vision.

I know in my own experience with education beyond high school that, say I wanted to start a business, that I learned the more practical skills at the community college level and definitely more theory at the university level. Both useful of course.

My brother teaches art in a public middle school, and believe me he is more than ready to retire, the majority of the complaint being what Gods just commented on. Seems like the focus at his school is the next staff meeting instead of the student.

[lastgoldstar]

I'm attending a community college right now, and I have to deal with a lot of crap from my friends at state universities. I've been told that I should be going to a "real" college because I'm "smarter than that" or whatever. Honestly, it really wasn't my decision to stick around town for my first year (I actually had applications ready to mail out to Webster University and Yale...), but now, I'm happy with it. So yes, some of the classes may not be challenging like I had hoped, but my honours courses are. And on top of that, the classes are nice and small- my largest has 35 students. Frankly, some of my friends at the big-name unis, mainly FSU, have said that they're overwhelmed, seeing as that school is massive (35000, my college has 12000). So I'm happy where I am now. Not to mention the fact that my school's given me so much money in scholarships that they're paying me.

[lastgoldstar]

I used to also have what i called "national clash day" I'd clash my clothes on purpose at least 1 day a week. WEEEEEEEE man i hated all those people i was in school with!

We had a "Tacky Day" during homecoming week. And "Nerd Day", which was my favourite.

[Poisoned_Apathy]

I don't know what is exactly BS but , from what I've read I think it's some kind of medical or phisycal test, isn't it??

When I was at school we had each year a medical revision but it wasn't a dramatic thing. Actually I remember we all had a lot of fun because we used to have it during clases , so you could leave the class for at least 10 min... We went there individualy, of course.

I didn't know you had to dye your hair again.It's absurd.
I had to wear a uniform at school and although I hated it , I'd rather to wear it than to have a stupid dresscode.
We didn't have one at highschool and it was great. I've always thought that you should dress like you like as long as it's respectful and appropriate for the circumstances you're in. I mean you can adjust your style for each different occasion. I've always thought that's a funny thing.

I don't know why some piece of clothe is consider as "distracting"...If students knew what they want , they didn't need to lose their time paying attention to what you're wearing or not today or whenever. And I think , if teachers and principals knew what students really need , they didn't need to lose their time with these silly things, when there are so many things to do yet.

[godisinthesilences]

i went to small private colleges... class sizes weren't larger than 20 some odd students. I think it really depends wher eyou go. There are many state universities that hold 500 students per class with about 14 TAs that do all the grading work and meeting with students. Many private schools will give you very good scholarships and benefits.

I think many times the problems in higher ed. lies in beaurocracy, ego's on the line and tenured faculty. Everyone I've had that was tenured was never as good as who i had that weren't. As an instructor I struggle with the thought of wanting to be tenured for security and insurance reasons, but then not being tenured so I don't become sort of dorment in my field.

Either way this is an interesting conversation... good viewpoints by one and all.

[krausy]

i went to small private colleges... class sizes weren't larger than 20 some odd students. I think it really depends wher eyou go. There are many state universities that hold 500 students per class with about 14 TAs that do all the grading work and meeting with students. Many private schools will give you very good scholarships and benefits.

I think many times the problems in higher ed. lies in beaurocracy, ego's on the line and tenured faculty. Everyone I've had that was tenured was never as good as who i had that weren't. As an instructor I struggle with the thought of wanting to be tenured for security and insurance reasons, but then not being tenured so I don't become sort of dorment in my field.

Either way this is an interesting conversation... good viewpoints by one and all.

Yes, Gods!!!! You just touched on some things I did not mention earlier. Tenure can be a double-edged sword, as can the egos and bureaucracy!!!
Definitely true!!