Am I the only one who believes education....?

Question

is important? I'm an 11th grader and I absolutely hate that no one truly cares for education. Nobody I know is passionate about it, no one works hard for their grades. I hate when people don't try at all and then get amazing grades, it's unfair to the people who are like me. People who try so hard, and really care. I just wanted to know if there was anyone around my age who felt the same, or just had an opinion on it.

To answer pin, I go to a fairly expensive private school, and to tell you to truth (and not to brag) they waste the class time they have doing other classes homework, listening to ipods or making fun of the teacher because they believe they can cheat in every class to get away with things.

Another thing to add, I don't just learn in the class room. I love to read and really enjoy it. Also, I read ahead in my classes and I get bored IN classes because I go ahead and things are easier for me, but I still pay attention and still focus hard and I help those around me instead of goofing off. Also, I know it's not just school which gets you through life. I haven't found my interests yet, but I'm going to join clubs next year and such. I'm also thinking of this topic because you don't have to be someone who DOESNT leave their house at all to care about education. I go out on weekends, and spend a lot of time with my boyfriend but I still think school is extremely important, and I don't let my fun get in the way.

OH! and i meant i'm in 10th grade, sorry all. I got confused with my boyfriends grade.

I'm appalled that I'm being called 'not as smart' just because i think education is great, and i think working hard is a part of life. you get what you deserve. i hate that my friends and boyfriend waste their intelligence because i know what they're capable of, they just are lazy and don't want to waste their time. i think it's awful, they aren't being deprived at all they just wish they didn't have to do work, period.

Answer 1

I'm not around your age, but I would like to comment, if you don't mind.

If my husband had a classroom full of students like you, his job would be a happier and more fulfilling one. I would like to thank you on behalf of all the teacher's whom you have probably made smile with your hard work and work ethic.

Students like you should be the norm, not the exception. It bothers me to no end when I hear about the students who would rather talk, fight, and socialize in class than get any work done. Students who behave like that steal teaching time from my husband and learning time from you.

Keep up the good work!

~~~

Bound's hubby here:

I have been a teacher for 25 years and I have seen too many students that get good grades too easily without having to work for them. The classes I teach, are generally tracked according to a student's ability level. However, the kids that get the good grades without working for them tend to sign up for the lower ability classes because they want the better grades without the effort. I also see that for these students mommie and daddy get them whatever they want. So in the long run they don't know how to earn what they want and they will be at a loss.

Continue to work for good grades by challenging yourself when taking slightly harder classes. Remember, nothing good comes easy!

Answer 2

I agree, to some degree. Where I live, people are somewhat grade-crazy. The teachers make the students work crazy hard in subjects that they don't do well in, and really dwell on math and science. It seems like every time I turn around, they upgrade one of these programs, which is code for making it harder. As for English, they couldn't care less if the students make constant gramatical errors, but if they can develop a strong hypothesis or find the square root of c=3+7, they're suddenly prodegies.

It's also hard because they constantly scare the students about the future. I remember hearing an eighth grade teacher tell his students that the SATs are closer than they think, and in 7th grade, most of the kids know where they want to go for college and what they plan on majoring in. Which could be advantageous, but simultaneously really rediculous.

However, I remember my sister coming home one day when she was in fourth grade very upset because they made the non "GATE" children feel somewhat like they were unqualified, which is very untrue and unfair.

Finally, I agree. It is incredibly unfair when the girl who couldn't tell left from right gets academic honors, when the girl who spends her whole weekend studying for everything ends up screwing up in a class like P.E. or even just not calculating her test scores properly ends up getting straight B's.

You're not only 100% right, you're very mature. If only every student took as much pride in good work.

Next annoying topic to address: working hard and not being considered smart, next to a passing party girl!

Answer 3

I have to say, education won't get you everywhere. I live in a college town full of graduates, with BS or Masters or PhD's who can't get a job outside of Burger King. It's not just people with HS diplomas and Associates degrees. In fact, the vo-tech kids are the only ones hopping straight into jobs LOL!

I'm sorry you think it's unfair, I think I saw a movie once where the girl kept saying that things weren't fair. Finally another character asked her what her basis for comparison was.

I never had to work for my grades. The class moved so slow and would go over the same crap again and again...THAT sucked. I was really interested in learning, but was stuck with the bureaucracy of schools...put in your days, put in your paperwork, blahblahblah...very little learning actually takes place in the classroom. How is that not fair to you? That's life. Some things are easy for some people, some things are easy for others. I couldn't play basketball to save my life...is that not fair? Maybe with more living, life will have more perspective.

I wish you luck.

Answer 4

First off, realize that basic classroom education is geared to middle and lower middle level students. That means several people in each class who are in the upper educational levels are bored, don't get challenged, don't have to try and they will still get good grades.

It's not that they don't care, it's that they are being deprived of an opportunity to learn as well. You think that's not fair to you? Consider this - these are very smart kids who are basically being held back because there is no where else for them to be.

It's good that you try hard, and it's good that you care. But look at it from their point of view as well.

At least you are learning something. At least you are being challenged to work hard and make that brain engage. They aren't. They are, in effect, wasting their time because the public school system still has nowhere for the smart kids to go, nor time nor money for classes that challenge them. If they are lucky, they'll get challenged in college. If they go - if they're not disenchanted with the whole educational system already.

Being in a rich private school doesn't change HOW the system is set up. It's still the same way. And as I said, good, you're still learning and enjoy learning. It's totally possibly many of them are as well, but as stated before, they are bored out of their skulls int hat specific class because there is no challenge.

Unless and until it fully impedes your ability to learn, it's really NOT your concern as to what they wish to do. It's their lives, not yours.

No one called you stupid - I certainly didn't. I said it was GOOD that you are challenged and are learning.
Bottom line? Life is fully NOT fair. Easier if you learn it now.

Answer 5

Well I always thought the only real subjects you really need are math, writing and reading and that is all the important stuff. Oh and cooking for the girls. But everything else is a complete waste of time in my opinion. Why bother going to school for subjects that you have no use for like history, geography, science, and gym class? So yes I'd say your the only one who believes education is important.

Answer 6

I am so elated to FINALLY find a teenager who knows how important education is - thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are so many teenagers, on this site, who hate school and (especially girls) believe it's more important to be pregnant by 13 than to read a book.
My hat goes off to your parents for giving you such a great opportunity!
Anyway, just keep plugging along - you're doing great and don't worry about the 'slackers' or 'electronic freaks'. Remain focused and soon you'll be through and on to college. Hopefully, college will be more of a challenge for you.
Thanks for being such a great teenager!

Answer 7

I think you are right, I am in the 10th grade with Pre-AP (honors) courses. I am in them because I don't want to end up working a minimum wage job. People, especially teenagers, I don't think realize how hard life will be with out education. Some barely make it through todays world with the high school education, GED or maybe even 2yr degree.

I want to open my own dance studio or maybe be an OB/GYN. So I have to work hard. I have a good life now, but I want something better because I know it is out there. I admit there are times when I feel like I have senior-itis ( don't feel like doing any work in school) but I know I have to because my grades will slip if I don't.

I think they don't feel the need to work, because they have nothing to aim for. I work harder because of dance. If I fail I can't do it and I love to dance, which is all the more reason to keep my grades up. I have also noticed that those of us who at least attempt to get food grades get ripped off because you have others who binge off of your knowledge, they don't make an effort and that isn't fair.

The way I see it, they are screwing themselves over. I would at first think, " Ok, let them do it. When they realize that they are in deep trouble..." but that isn't fair for them because they deserve a better life but they cant have it if they don't work for it. I know, just from stories that life outside of high shcool is hard. You have to realize that we can't rely on our parents for the rest of our lives like we've been able to since we've been born, even as we get older, people are forced to rely less and less on them because of something called responsibility.

Answer 8

I'm only in 9th grade, but I completely agree with you. I'm always so pissed that my brother gets good grades and he doesn't care at all, he doesn't pay attention, he doesn't do his HW, and he never listens. But when it comes to the tests, he suddenly does good because his mind figures out which answer is most likely the correct answer. But when people like us who have to work a lot for our grades go out in the "real world", we'll be ready and prepared and the people who don't work hard will not be prepared and unlikely to succeed. They can't fake their way through life, like they do on tests, so in the end, its all good.

Answer 9

My 17 yr old sister in law is the same way - her focus is SCHOOL. She has other activities, but doesn't let them interfere. She knows it's her key to getting the job she wants (nurse practitioner) and making her dreams come true.
When all the other slackers are signing up for summer school or community college, you'll be enjoying your scholarship at a great university...

Answer 10

are you sure there aren't others like you? i can be certain that at least 75% of my school population cares about their grades, what college they go to, and their future. i totally care too so i know how you feel, i mean i try really hard and sometimes i don't really make it, but then there are does who don't study and just do well, they're just born smart so you can't really help it