<p>I feel like today's public schools are destroying my creativity and ability to think for myself. Many times, I come home only to labor on my homework like a drone, with little thoughts about a life of my own.
I know that I could have prevented this, at least to a point, by not taking so many difficult Advanced Placement classes. Even so, it is of my belief that the education system should focus more on creativity and problem solving rather than rote memorization. I can see the damage that the public school system has done to my peers in my AP classes; they treat everything like a competition, to the point that if someone answers a question wrong, he or she will be ridiculed and put to shame. I can't stand it; why does everything have to be a competition? I don't think that my school is the only school that has fallen victim to this ideology.
How can one handle this? I don't even feel like I'm learning much, either. I'm definitely not reaching my potential, that's for sure!
Does it get better in college?</p>
<p>cool story bro.</p>
<p>Think of it this way, its more different in college. So work hard now and play later. I think that is the problem with schools. They teach us how to take a test, but don’t teach the true subject.</p>
<p>Does it get better in college? Eh, it depends. A lot of people take what they learned and end up being ridiculously cutthroat. Other people are just insanely intelligent, which causes some people to feel the pressure and compete. But for the most part, people are more than willing to help you out or learn from you. It depends on the college and it depends on with who you surround yourself. But in all lectures and most classes, people who don’t know each other will not be personally competitive. </p>
<p>Why don’t you just start learning whatever the hell you want right now. You have the internet. Project Gutenberg, Khan Academy and Open Course Ware by several universities offer free lessons you can learn on your free time. There’s a huge number of free ebooks and discussions (TED Talks and blogs featuring research, for example) covering endless topics. If you can spare a bit of money, go search for old and used textbooks under $15 on Amazon and eBay. Not to mention all of the books and material you could just borrow from a library. Quit sitting around acting like you can’t learn without the aid of a teacher. Create your own intellectually conducive environment.</p>
<p>Also, creativity is fostered by the individual, not taught by a lecturer addressing a large group of students. You go to class to learn the tools and techniques, everything else is on your initiative (it’s also based on the people you’re personal with, but my point is that you can still teach yourself an insane amount of material on your own).</p>
<p>Look down, look down
Don’t look them in the eye
Look down, look down
You’re here until you die.</p>
<p>Gets better in college.</p>
<p>You’re right. </p>
<p>[fantasy]Get involved in the school system and make changes and improvements to the system after you’re out of college![/fantasy]</p>
<p>Yeah, there isn’t much we can do about it. We can just suck it up and it’ll be better in college.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>AeroEngineer is right; so is toxic93. However mundane high school seems now, it is the key to getting where you want to go. You’re intelligent and intellectually curious, which is great – but without the documents (transcript, SAT scores, etc), colleges won’t buy it. If you’re truly interested in whatever you may be interested in, you’ll find a way to make it happen. It’s that simple, I think.</p>
<p>Home-School.</p>
<p>^^Yes, it is that simple. And I believe I do have the credentials to make it happen. However, that is not my concern. I am simply stating my beliefs about high school being somewhat of a waste of time for many students. That is all. I would rather it be different, but in today’s world, that is probably too much to wish for.</p>
<p>If by “waste of time” you mean that you wake up every morning dreading going to school because you will get more from studying at home than studying in the classroom, I can assure you that the majority of CC probably feels that way – hence all the self-studies. :D</p>
<p>I hope it improves for you in college; good luck at Hamilton!</p>
<p>^Thanks, although at the moment, Hamilton is but a dream! (Sadly, I’m only a junior.)
And yes, that is pretty much what I mean. Although instead of studying by myself, I would like interaction with fellow students and teachers. I guess that’s why I’m so interested in LAC’s, especially Hamilton, where there is no core curriculum and where small class sizes are the norm. To me, LAC’s seem to offer a myriad of educational opportunities.</p>
<p>I feel the same.</p>
<p>That’s why I spend my time researching instead of doing hw.</p>