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Learning Curve
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How do you all stay awake through your boring classes? Every year that's my problem. Maybe it's just me but I can't focus too well when I'm falling asleep.:rofl: Is that normal? lol.
Pengwuino said:College: walk out
Math Is Hard said:or don't take boring classes.
Pengwuino said:easy A's though!
What pisses me off though is those boring easy mick classes that require you to be there everyday in one form or another (say, homework every class or being told what homework to do in class instead of online or something).
History. Humans started out teaching this way, so they'll continue teaching this way. If they were good enough for people a thousand years ago, then who are we to question lectures?loseyourname said:I almost never attend any lecture classes, unless I know I absolutely have to. In fact, I don't even see the point of having lecture classes. Why not simply write down what you are going to say in the lecture and have people read it? It's a waste of time, everybody's time, to teach things in a way that could easily be done another way. I'd much rather read than listen to someone speak for over an hour. I can do in on my own time, when I'm wide awake, while I'm eating, at my own pace, whatever. Someone tell me what exactly justifies the concept of a lecture class.
Archon said:History. Humans started out teaching this way, so they'll continue teaching this way. If they were good enough for people a thousand years ago, then who are we to question lectures?
loseyourname said:I almost never attend any lecture classes, unless I know I absolutely have to. In fact, I don't even see the point of having lecture classes. Why not simply write down what you are going to say in the lecture and have people read it? It's a waste of time, everybody's time, to teach things in a way that could easily be done another way. I'd much rather read than listen to someone speak for over an hour. I can do in on my own time, when I'm wide awake, while I'm eating, at my own pace, whatever. Someone tell me what exactly justifies the concept of a lecture class.
Moonbear said:Well, for some, reading alone is not enough, especially if they are an auditory learner. For others, it helps to hear something explained in a different way. And the real answer is that your lecture should be discussing things that you can't just read in your book, filling in gaps, giving you a chance to ask questions, updating the latest information that's outdated in the textbook, putting it in perspective, and letting you know what information are the important concepts, and what are just picky details.
If you only want to learn by reading books and aren't interested in attending lectures and being taught by the professors, why waste your money on tuition?
1) It would take a lot longer to write up than to just talk about it, 2) not everyone learns that way.loseyourname said:And is there any reason that a professor couldn't simply post these on a web page, or e-mail his class?
I never said I'm only interested in reading books. I'm only interested in absorption of raw information through reading. Class time should be used for discussions, seminars, workshops, and labs. It should not be used to have someone stand in front of a large group reading aloud what could be read on the student's own time and at their own pace.
Took the words right out of my mouth. I'm not in school yet, but this is my main reason for wanting to return. There are pros and cons to both learning on your own and attending school. If there were a way to learn on my own and still come away with a diploma (that could actually help me get a job), I doubt that I would go back to school. I don't even miss having a live teacher and fellow students anymore. And with places like PF, you're not really even on your own.loseyourname said:Also, regarding why I bother to pay tuition: Despite the fact that I can often learn in three weeks what it somehow takes a semester to cover in a class, nobody seems to care unless I have paper documentation certifying my knowledge.
Learning Curve said:How do you all stay awake through your boring classes? Every year that's my problem. Maybe it's just me but I can't focus too well when I'm falling asleep.:rofl: Is that normal? lol.
Moonbear said:Or get more sleep the night before.
If your instructor doesn't object, bring a light snack (I happen to love oranges when I'm tired and need a boost to keep me going; if you're going to eat them in class though, it would be best to have it already peeled and the wedges separated and put into a plastic container so you're not making a mess or distracted by trying to peel an orange instead of taking notes) or bring a bottle of water or a cup of coffee (beverages might not be a great idea if you have a long lecture though ). I used to have 80 min lectures in college, and my attention span while sitting still seemed to only be about 40 min, no matter how interesting the lecture, so sometimes you just have to do something to snap yourself back, especially if it's that after lunch lecture where you're full and drowsy already).
Moonbear said:Of course it shouldn't be used to just read aloud what's already covered in the book. Is that what your professors do?
Of course, if the class would wake up and ask questions, there would be more discussion. There's nothing worse than having to lecture to a room full of lumps of clay.
honestrosewater said:Took the words right out of my mouth. I'm not in school yet, but this is my main reason for wanting to return. There are pros and cons to both learning on your own and attending school. If there were a way to learn on my own and still come away with a diploma (that could actually help me get a job), I doubt that I would go back to school. I don't even miss having a live teacher and fellow students anymore. And with places like PF, you're not really even on your own.
As for dealing with boring classes, er, I just dropped out.* :tongue2:
*not that I recommend this for everyone...
Well, if you stayed awake would you be learning anything? If not, why do you want to stay awake? You'll get a bad grade if you sleep?Learning Curve said:What I mean is that the class is so boring i fall asleep. And there's no eating, sleeping, or reading a book.
That's the ideal scenario. Unfortunately, in large universities, especially with popular introductory level courses, you can have lectures with 300 students in them. When you only have a few faculty who can teach a course and that many students who need to take it, sometimes there is just no other way to teach it. If it's any consolation, the faculty dislike teaching those classes as much as students dislike taking them (which probably worsens the drowsiness factor when a professor let's this show). When I do have to teach to a large lecture, I really try to mix it up a bit and not just talk at the students, but sometimes it's quite difficult to do, especially if the class is unresponsive to questions intended to provoke discussion.zoobyshoe said:Where I went to college there was no such thing as a "lecture" class. You could raise your hand and ask a question at any time in any class. I don't think I ever had a class with more than 20 students in it.
Feeling sleepy in boring classes is a normal response to a lack of stimulation. Our brains are wired to seek out new and interesting information, and when we are faced with material that is uninteresting or repetitive, our brains can become less engaged, leading to feelings of sleepiness.
Yes, it is completely normal to struggle with staying awake in class. Many students experience this issue, especially when the material being taught is not engaging or is presented in a monotonous manner.
Yes, there are several strategies you can try to help stay awake in boring classes. These include taking notes, actively participating in class discussions, asking questions, and sitting in the front row to stay more engaged with the material.
No, feeling sleepy in class is not a sign of laziness. It is a natural response to uninteresting material or a lack of engagement. It is important to find ways to stay engaged and focused in class, but it is not a reflection of your work ethic or intelligence.
Yes, it may be helpful to talk to your teacher if you are struggling to stay awake in their class. They may be able to provide additional resources or change their teaching style to better engage you. It is important to communicate openly with your teacher about any challenges you are facing in their class.