University is Going Downhill

That's what I've decided while being stationed at U of T for 7 months. I'm in grad school so I'm required to teach a certain number of hours to the undergraduates. It's part of getting my funding to pay my tuition, so I don't have much of a choice. But here's what I've found while sitting in lecture or office hours, or marking tests or labs. Students are getting lazy. Or maybe they always were, and I was just too involved with my own education to notice?

I did my undergrad at a small university. I always said I wouldn't have goine there if I had to do it again, but now I'm undecided. I have experienced U of T from a couple of perspectives. First all I heard were accounts from other students who went here. They claim it is very hard to do well, and many of them are trying to get into Med school. I beleived them. I know it's a good university and it's known for it's discoveries in science. But the population of undergrads is HUGE and they sometimes win. They want easier classes and higher grades.

Now that I'm teaching and marking I have to deal with the 25% of students who come back to the prof or the TA and ask for more marks. Almost every case is someone just asking because they did more poorly then they expected, and they think the TA will feel sorry for them? If the mark is deserved, then I give it to them, but this doesn't happen often. I am thourough with my marking. I want the students to do well if they deserve to do so. I look for marks for them, but they still come back complaining.

So, now I'm frustrated and convinced that many of the students here (and all other universities I'm sure) aren't really interested in what they are studying. They want good grades, end of story. I was never like that. I mean of course I wanted good grades, but I like what I do. I love what I study, and that's why I pick the course. Based on content. Not based on what prof makes the easiest tests. It boggles my mind.

The university goal is for everyone to be able to attend. A bachelors is no longer for the elite people who want to continue their education for the love of learning. It's for everyone, so grad school has become that distiction. But, they are trying to raise enrolment in grad programs by 30% in the next few years. It's crazy. They are slowly making the pHD the only distinguishing degree. For crazy people like me who don't mind spending half of their life in school. And the rest of their life paying the bills.

I'm here to learn, and discover. I wish everyone else was too. It would make my teaching much more rewarding, and my life plan a little more bright. If I end up teaching for a living, I hope I get the courses that only enroll people who are there to learn.

Ponder

I think too much.
As a result I have generally contemplated most topics in my head at some point in time. If you ask my oppinion, it's likely I have one. I don't have to think about it when you ask. It's likely I've asked myself the same question before and will regurgitate the conversation I had in my head if I feel it's worth sharing. I don't often give my oppinion on things unless I'm asked though. I don't want to be intrusive on people's thoughts or conversations. If it's important then I'll share.

Anyways, check out this cartoon (on same secret website as previous) *click it to see it larger*
I laughed when I saw this one because it's one of the things I've pondered. Do I see things the same way as you? Probably not (by default) is the decision I arrived at in my head. Humans have a unique form of communication (ie. language) and with it we have found a way to express our thoughts etc. But we are raised from babies to call a certain item by it's name and a certain shade by its colour classification. But really, it could be arbitrary, and we might be seeing a totally different "green" then everyone else. There's no way to know.

But that's not why I decided on my conclusion. My reasoning was long and drawn out but it basially came down to science (which lots of stuff does, at least in my head). Our brains are made up of millions of cells. Specialized cells called "neurons" make hundreds of connections with hundreds of other "neurons" and they all create communication pathways. It's like a super-highway with on-ramps and off-ramps every where (but without congested traffic hopefully). But every person has a unique set of neural connections. So that's my first thought.

But here's what makes it more interesting. The neurons communicate by a transfer of "electrical" energy. So basically it's like a chemical build-up of "stuff" until it reaches a threashold and then all of a sudden it "fires" and passes its "information" on to the next guy. It's amazing really. It's neat how we can use this to think, and remember, and learn. (By the way, learning something is just the formation of new connections between neurons - you're doing it right now).

OK I've chosen a confusing way to get to the point and explain why I like this cartoon BUT It makes the blog a little bit better then "Hey, check out this cartoon I like - the end" but whatever. So, I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, we have found a way to "communicate" but we aren't necessarily on the same page with anything. It's impossible for you and me to have the same brain, and therefore the same thoughts. So even if all sensory stimuli (ie. stuff) was hitting our eyes the same way, we would never produce exactly the same interpretation.

Science Rules!

My Life is Boring

So, as far as things I feel comforatable blogging about, I've got nothing interesting to say. I can't really give details on my work cause I don't want animal rights people bitching about me using rats. (*I'll have you know I cuddle my rats and give them raisins every day, and they love me*) And, I can't really talk about other people that bug me, cause eventually they might stumble across this site (*thanks internet for making my life soo publically accessible*). And I've already blogged about the interesting things like public transit and stupid people (in general). So, besides that my life is bor--ing.

So, here is a cartoon that made me laugh a lot today. I'm stealing it off of a website that I'll eventually share. But I want to keep it a secret for now (I hope the author doesn't mind me sharing his work) because I want to use a few more cartoons from him in future blogs (are you soo excited?!)

Putting Myself "Out There"

So, as you all have gathered, I'm single. I actually don't mind being single. I get to flirt with people guilt free, and know that when a "worth it" guy comes along, I don't have to let him pass by. But, my mother keeps telling me..."you're not putting yourself out there...", which I guess is a bit true (sticks tongue out at mom).

I'm still getting used to being single, and though I'm not entirely against starting new relationships, I'm more interested in just dating and seeing who's out there. But there is a fine line because I'm older now and I expect a few things from a guy in order to consider him "date worthy". Again I have been criticized for this, but I think I deserve to be picky, so there. Firstly, I would be more comforatable with the idea of dating someone educated. You don't have to be a rocket scientist (or a scientist at all for that matter) but, someone with ambition. I have found that a lot of people with "blue collar" jobs (as mom would say) are just working to make money, and don't have any passion for what they spend 1/3 of every day doing. It just doesn't appeal to me. HOWEVER, if I were to meet a guy who loves his job, and has some future goals to go along with his blue collar job, it'd be cool with me. When we went on dates I wouldn't have to hear bitching about how crappy there day was, just like every other day. I like my work, and I'd like a guy more if he liked his too, that's all.

I figure I'm allowed to be picky on at least one aspect of men, and that's the one I choose. I don't really have a "type", so appearance is only partially important.

Anyways...long story made a little-less-long...I want tips on how to "put myself out there" without making it the main focus of my life. Cause I have a million other things I'm interested in doing with my days, before finding boys to take up more time. I'm not interested in picking up guys at a club, cause they are generally creepy. So there's my exception. Help me out.

Not Feeling the Weather

Don't ask me why, but this year my body doesn't seem to want to acclimatize to this weather. It's bad. I'm freezing all the time, and public transit sucks. I wait patiently (teehee) for trains and the subway every morning and every evening freezing my butt off. I don't know why, cause I should be used to Waterloo winter which was WAY worse than this. It wasn't until it started snowing that I started wearing a vest, and then when it was bitter cold I'd break out the winter coat. Now I'm ready for the heavy coat already. What am I going to do in two months when it's really cold? I don't know.

As for school/work, I'm busy busy busy. I just started TAing a second class, so my work load increased. But I can handle it. I just need to buckle down a bit.

I have nothing interesting to say, so until later...chow