<p>I just need to vent. So I’m an APUS class, and as you know , we just took the AP test, so we’re basically done. Well, today my teacher was like “OK, well I’ll go over hte modern stuff with you that we never got to starting tomorrow.” Everyone in the class groaned, and said things like “We already had the test…we already read those chapters by ourselves…etc.” I was absolutely disgusted by this. I took the course because I am fascinated with history, and I want to learn. It is pretty claer that almsot everyone else in my class just wants something on their app. I know this is common amonst students, but I just can’t get over it. Am I correct in assuming that these students don’t usually end up at Brown? I would think that if someone wanted to, it would e easy to portray themselves as intellectually curious and what not even though they arent. I just needed to share</p>
<p>though you just essentially comfused the crap out of me, i THINK you are asking if the students at brown are truly willing to learn. and i think the answer is yes. students that study for grades sometimes sneak past adcoms, but they often notice those who have a passion for learning.</p>
<p>Short of an evil brain wave analysis, there's no surefire way you can tell the difference between a ladder climber and a "true intellectual" in high school. Sorry.</p>
<p>First of all david, I can certainly empathize. This pathetic, but all too understandable, trend can be observed in the sudden, post acceptance cessation of any work ethic in seniors, even those who are going to top-tier ivies. Indeed, I believe spring semester senior year is a good gauge of one's true motives for scholastic exertion.
From what I gather, Brown does attract an especially large proportion of students whose learning is derived from love, not fear.(The "new" curriculum is conducive to this.) However, I dont think you can ever escape people who pursue things for shallow reasons anywhere in life, even at Brown. C'est la vie, though this should not detract from your own joy in learning.</p>
<p>I know what you mean...just taking AP classes so they'll look good come admission time...</p>
<p>i kind of understand your fellow students though, i think part of it has to do with intellectual apathy, but if right after my IB exams, we have to go back to class and learn again I'd really be miffed. I'd like a little break before going back, i mean I need a break from 8 hours of cramming. My brain is refusing to absorb anything more, and I really wouldn't pay attention. After that, no problemo.</p>
<p>Yea I see what you mean. The thing is, this would just be our teacher talking about the modern stuff. No homework or tests, so the only real reason for not wanting to learn that is apathy...</p>
<p>aww i loved AP us history...it was a wonderful class. i recognize the pleas of your classmates--i studied for soooo long for that test and was extremely exhausted physically and mentally. however the post-ap test month was the best month of that class. oh how i miss it...</p>
<p>All my AP teachers are having us do projects. Not really learning anything new in particular, but a chance to go in-depth on something that interested us during the year sometime. It's good because classes are relaxed, but we're still doing stuff and not just hanging around playing pitch. I was a little dismayed when they introduced the projects right after the tests were over though.</p>
<p>After my IB exams, I have to go back to school to finish up some Chemistry that wasn't included in the IB syllabus, but included in some other syllabus that we have to follow as well. To tell you the truth, I really don't want to learn this chemistry stuff, since I really don't like chemistry. On the other hand, for the subjects that I love, like history, I'd be willing to go back and just learn more. My history teacher said I could come back if I liked, with some other students who love history, and we'd learn more and have discussions and stuff =). So I'm excited for that.</p>
<p>Well, after hearing all fo you reasonable people, I realize I might have been a little harsh. Still though, I can't help but let it get to me. It seems dishonest to me even though I know it really isn't</p>
<p>Well, I see why they wouldn't want to go back to school once everything's over. And the whole wanting to learn bit, well maybe they don't want to learn that in particular, and would rather learn about other stuff. Even though someone may want to learn stuff, they're allowed to have things that they don't like so much. Like for me, Chemistry. But I still took it. When I chose the option, I thought I might like it. When I discovered I didn't like it, I didn't really have the option of dropping it. It's not that I regret taking it. And no, it doesn't have to do with the fact that it'll be on my application. I don't regret taking it because it taught me that Chemistry isn't for me and it gave me some skills that I couldn't have gotten through my other classes.</p>
<p>I def. would have wanted to continue with modern history, esp. the way your teacher is doing it. </p>
<p>But at the same time, at the end of senior year, I was/am very belligerent to the idea of learning anything at all, and I can understand the feeling of never wanting to do any more work again. But the feeling will pass in a month or so.</p>
<p>David, those people in your class are exactly like me! My teachers told me today I still had to learn after AP tests, and I was pretty ****ed off (even though I watched two movies in class today). My advice: stop judging people. I would not call myself intellectually apathetic, I've worked hard all school year. I deserve a break, and the weather is warming up. What do you expect? People to cheer once they hear they're going to be lectured on history? Sorry, but this is the real world. Even college is like this. Brown students are going to be smart, but they're not going to be robots.</p>
<p>Sara, I think you are misunderstanding me. I hope I didn't come across as judgemental (I probably did), I was just dissapointed by everyone's attitude. I guess what I'm saying is that I value intellectual curiosity, and learning for the sake of learning. Therefore, my desire to learn doesn't stop the second that I will no longer benefit in a tangible way from my knowledge (i.e. APs, SATIIs). I'm a bit of an idealist, and you're, it's unfair for me to expect people to think this way. I just wish soem of my classmates cared about more than just the grade. Also, maybe they really do care about learning, but are just sick of working in that class, and that is fair also. Also: please not that I think there is a fine line between being intellectual and being studious, but that is just a matter of definition. By MY definition, intellectualism is a desire to learn for the sake of learning, while someone who is studious just gets their work done without putting much heart into it. In my mind, there is a big difference. Maybe the misunderstanding has something to do with different interpreations of these words, I dunno. I'm really sorry if I offended anyone, I don't want any enemies on the Brown board! I mean well, I'm jstu trying to get a discussion going</p>
<p>don't worry... I can relate to what you are saying.</p>
<p>Talk about a glaring lack of intellect, Today we were looking up words in AP French and this kid looked at my paper, saw the word "breadth", and pronounced it bread-ith. When I told him how it was pronounced, he proceeded to try to tell me that I had mispelled the word "breath". Oh what a world we live in.</p>
<p>hmm... yea, we are moving on in AP Calc, i satrted to fall asleep when she started reviewing for the test, oh how i hate reviewing, but im coming back now, sinccei get to really leanr, and in AP English, we have five more books to go through, and then take the state finals, and then we have to do our research paper</p>
<p>Sheesh, I'm as big a fan of history as the next guy, but I say lighten up. You only get one "last month of senior year".</p>
<p>Our school is worse. After IB tests we have to come back and have FINALS in our classes. School rages onward.</p>