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OneMoreRobot3021
Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 61,026
Loc: the sky
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The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System 2
#13012050 - 08/06/10 12:03 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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You should seriously read this. I applaud this girl, and this amazing speech. I bolded my favorite paragraph.
Girl Condemns Schooling in Graduation Speech
Quote:
Here I stand
There is a story of a young, but earnest Zen student who approached his teacher, and asked the Master, "If I work very hard and diligently, how long will it take for me to find Zen? The Master thought about this, then replied, "Ten years . ." The student then said, "But what if I work very, very hard and really apply myself to learn fast -- How long then?" Replied the Master, "Well, twenty years." "But, if I really, really work at it, how long then?" asked the student. "Thirty years," replied the Master. "But, I do not understand," said the disappointed student. "At each time that I say I will work harder, you say it will take me longer. Why do you say that?" Replied the Master, "When you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path."
This is the dilemma I've faced within the American education system. We are so focused on a goal, whether it be passing a test, or graduating as first in the class. However, in this way, we do not really learn. We do whatever it takes to achieve our original objective.
Some of you may be thinking, "Well, if you pass a test, or become valedictorian, didn't you learn something? Well, yes, you learned something, but not all that you could have. Perhaps, you only learned how to memorize names, places, and dates to later on forget in order to clear your mind for the next test. School is not all that it can be. Right now, it is a place for most people to determine that their goal is to get out as soon as possible.
I am now accomplishing that goal. I am graduating. I should look at this as a positive experience, especially being at the top of my class. However, in retrospect, I cannot say that I am any more intelligent than my peers. I can attest that I am only the best at doing what I am told and working the system. Yet, here I stand, and I am supposed to be proud that I have completed this period of indoctrination. I will leave in the fall to go on to the next phase expected of me, in order to receive a paper document that certifies that I am capable of work. But I contest that I am a human being, a thinker, an adventurer - not a worker. A worker is someone who is trapped within repetition - a slave of the system set up before him. But now, I have successfully shown that I was the best slave. I did what I was told to the extreme. While others sat in class and doodled to later become great artists, I sat in class to take notes and become a great test-taker. While others would come to class without their homework done because they were reading about an interest of theirs, I never missed an assignment. While others were creating music and writing lyrics, I decided to do extra credit, even though I never needed it. So, I wonder, why did I even want this position? Sure, I earned it, but what will come of it? When I leave educational institutionalism, will I be successful or forever lost? I have no clue about what I want to do with my life; I have no interests because I saw every subject of study as work, and I excelled at every subject just for the purpose of excelling, not learning. And quite frankly, now I'm scared.
John Taylor Gatto, a retired school teacher and activist critical of compulsory schooling, asserts, "We could encourage the best qualities of youthfulness - curiosity, adventure, resilience, the capacity for surprising insight simply by being more flexible about time, texts, and tests, by introducing kids into truly competent adults, and by giving each student what autonomy he or she needs in order to take a risk every now and then. But we don't do that." Between these cinderblock walls, we are all expected to be the same. We are trained to ace every standardized test, and those who deviate and see light through a different lens are worthless to the scheme of public education, and therefore viewed with contempt.
H. L. Mencken wrote in The American Mercury for April 1924 that the aim of public education is not "to fill the young of the species with knowledge and awaken their intelligence. ... Nothing could be further from the truth. The aim ... is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level, to breed and train a standardized citizenry, to put down dissent and originality. That is its aim in the United States."
To illustrate this idea, doesn't it perturb you to learn about the idea of "critical thinking." Is there really such a thing as "uncritically thinking?" To think is to process information in order to form an opinion. But if we are not critical when processing this information, are we really thinking? Or are we mindlessly accepting other opinions as truth?
This was happening to me, and if it wasn't for the rare occurrence of an avant-garde tenth grade English teacher, Donna Bryan, who allowed me to open my mind and ask questions before accepting textbook doctrine, I would have been doomed. I am now enlightened, but my mind still feels disabled. I must retrain myself and constantly remember how insane this ostensibly sane place really is.
And now here I am in a world guided by fear, a world suppressing the uniqueness that lies inside each of us, a world where we can either acquiesce to the inhuman nonsense of corporatism and materialism or insist on change. We are not enlivened by an educational system that clandestinely sets us up for jobs that could be automated, for work that need not be done, for enslavement without fervency for meaningful achievement. We have no choices in life when money is our motivational force. Our motivational force ought to be passion, but this is lost from the moment we step into a system that trains us, rather than inspires us.
We are more than robotic bookshelves, conditioned to blurt out facts we were taught in school. We are all very special, every human on this planet is so special, so aren't we all deserving of something better, of using our minds for innovation, rather than memorization, for creativity, rather than futile activity, for rumination rather than stagnation? We are not here to get a degree, to then get a job, so we can consume industry-approved placation after placation. There is more, and more still.
The saddest part is that the majority of students don't have the opportunity to reflect as I did. The majority of students are put through the same brainwashing techniques in order to create a complacent labor force working in the interests of large corporations and secretive government, and worst of all, they are completely unaware of it. I will never be able to turn back these 18 years. I can't run away to another country with an education system meant to enlighten rather than condition. This part of my life is over, and I want to make sure that no other child will have his or her potential suppressed by powers meant to exploit and control. We are human beings. We are thinkers, dreamers, explorers, artists, writers, engineers. We are anything we want to be - but only if we have an educational system that supports us rather than holds us down. A tree can grow, but only if its roots are given a healthy foundation.
For those of you out there that must continue to sit in desks and yield to the authoritarian ideologies of instructors, do not be disheartened. You still have the opportunity to stand up, ask questions, be critical, and create your own perspective. Demand a setting that will provide you with intellectual capabilities that allow you to expand your mind instead of directing it. Demand that you be interested in class. Demand that the excuse, "You have to learn this for the test" is not good enough for you. Education is an excellent tool, if used properly, but focus more on learning rather than getting good grades.
For those of you that work within the system that I am condemning, I do not mean to insult; I intend to motivate. You have the power to change the incompetencies of this system. I know that you did not become a teacher or administrator to see your students bored. You cannot accept the authority of the governing bodies that tell you what to teach, how to teach it, and that you will be punished if you do not comply. Our potential is at stake.
For those of you that are now leaving this establishment, I say, do not forget what went on in these classrooms. Do not abandon those that come after you. We are the new future and we are not going to let tradition stand. We will break down the walls of corruption to let a garden of knowledge grow throughout America. Once educated properly, we will have the power to do anything, and best of all, we will only use that power for good, for we will be cultivated and wise. We will not accept anything at face value. We will ask questions, and we will demand truth.
So, here I stand. I am not standing here as valedictorian by myself. I was molded by my environment, by all of my peers who are sitting here watching me. I couldn't have accomplished this without all of you. It was all of you who truly made me the person I am today. It was all of you who were my competition, yet my backbone. In that way, we are all valedictorians.
I am now supposed to say farewell to this institution, those who maintain it, and those who stand with me and behind me, but I hope this farewell is more of a "see you later" when we are all working together to rear a pedagogic movement. But first, let's go get those pieces of paper that tell us that we're smart enough to do so!
-------------------- Acid doesn't give you truths; it builds machines that push the envelope of perception. Whatever revelations came to me then have dissolved like skywriting. All I really know is that those few years saddled me with a faith in the redemptive potential of the imagination which, however flat, stale and unprofitable the world seems to me now, I cannot for the life of me shake. -Erik Davis
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The Ecstatic
Chilldog Extraordinaire
Registered: 11/11/09
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#13012085 - 08/06/10 12:10 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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dont expect any responses, if its not about legalizing weed or a youtube video, these fags don't care.
On topic, I read this yesterday. Very good article, the public education system in this country is fucking despicable.
Not to mention the rampant propaganda in our history books...
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nasem
Stranger
Registered: 12/19/09
Posts: 338
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#13012088 - 08/06/10 12:11 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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I'm gonna marry this girl, or kidnap her
-------------------- I dont know
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jewunit
Brutal!
Registered: 01/11/07
Posts: 34,264
Loc: Ohio
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: The Ecstatic]
#13012121 - 08/06/10 12:18 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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I wonder how her views will or will not change after college and other points in her life.
Quote:
The Ecstatic said: Not to mention the rampant propaganda in our history books...
It's not just our history books. Recorded history in general is pretty riddled with propaganda. I wouldn't expect it to be different.
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ModusPwnd
Stranger
Registered: 07/08/10
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#13012137 - 08/06/10 12:21 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Reads a little too much like a rant filled with angst.
That said, the school system is very disparate - there are great schools and there are horrible ones. My elementary school was good, it did the things this rant claims arnt done. My high school sucked though.
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Qballs
Vibes Connoisseur
Registered: 05/30/10
Posts: 391
Loc: Dick Lentils
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#13012145 - 08/06/10 12:23 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Fucking a. A little naive, methinks, but still an awesome speech.
-------------------- More than treasures found, its just been knowing you.
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OneMoreRobot3021
Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 61,026
Loc: the sky
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: Qballs]
#13012155 - 08/06/10 12:26 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Naive, yeah, but we were all high school seniors once.
-------------------- Acid doesn't give you truths; it builds machines that push the envelope of perception. Whatever revelations came to me then have dissolved like skywriting. All I really know is that those few years saddled me with a faith in the redemptive potential of the imagination which, however flat, stale and unprofitable the world seems to me now, I cannot for the life of me shake. -Erik Davis
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Deekay
Registered: 09/07/08
Posts: 3,220
Loc:
Last seen: 2 years, 7 months
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: jewunit]
#13012176 - 08/06/10 12:31 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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There is a lot of things I agree and disagree with in that speech. Overall it was well written and a much more original approach than the typical "High school was a stepping stone speech".
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NastyDHL
Registered: 04/04/08
Posts: 3,586
Loc: New England
Last seen: 1 year, 2 months
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: The Ecstatic]
#13012185 - 08/06/10 12:32 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
The Ecstatic said: dont expect any responses, if its not about legalizing weed or a youtube video, these fags don't care.
On topic, I read this yesterday. Very good article, the public education system in this country is fucking despicable.
Not to mention the rampant propaganda in our history books...
wow dude a tad bitter towards the community?
yeah our education system needs a complete revamping...we are being conditioned rather than being empowered.
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Frost
Inside a locked room
Registered: 02/24/07
Posts: 5,947
Loc: Florida
Last seen: 8 years, 9 months
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: The Ecstatic]
#13012258 - 08/06/10 12:49 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
The Ecstatic said: dont expect any responses, if its not about legalizing weed or a youtube video, these fags don't care.
Silence clown.
-------------------- “I have lived on the lip of insanity, wanting to know reasons, knocking on a door. It opens. I've been knocking from the inside.” - Rumi “The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.” - Carl Sagan
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luvdemshrooms
Two inch dick..but it spins!?
Registered: 11/29/01
Posts: 34,247
Loc: Lost In Space
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#13012262 - 08/06/10 12:49 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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She'll most likely out earn us all.
She seems to forget she has drive and ability. Skills she learned despite the chowder heads our system churns out.
-------------------- You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity. What one person receives without working for another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for that my dear friend is the beginning of the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it. ~ Adrian Rogers
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WoodsCall
own it
Registered: 12/06/04
Posts: 1,486
Loc: eye of the beerholder
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#13012277 - 08/06/10 12:54 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Great read, and while on a personal level I do agree with what she said, it is heavily idealistic. All people are not created equal. Some people's strengths really do lie in memorizing and utilizing facts rather than coming up with innovative approaches and ideas.
It would take more than just a few generations to recondition the mind of the populace and effectively change the processes and outcomes of the educational system. And that is assuming no one, including parents, students, teachers, or administrators, is unhappy with being complacent and having a mindset that shuns personal and societal growth.
Despite having the same views as the young lady since I was a teen, I ignored my gut feeling and listened to the old and wise and have since taken on thousand of dollars of debt to go to university, which (the school I go to) seems to accentuate the same goals found in compulsory education.
--------------------
Live free or die.
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Brennus
Student of Life
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: WoodsCall]
#13012403 - 08/06/10 01:19 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Fucking righteous. This made my day.
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tito123
Registered: 01/23/10
Posts: 3,006
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: Brennus]
#13012565 - 08/06/10 01:50 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
Brennus said: Fucking righteous. This made my day.
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JackofSpades
Peace
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: tito123] 1
#13012637 - 08/06/10 02:05 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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woah school is bullshit?! no wai i didnt no this lolz thnx hih skool gurl u saved my lyfe!!!
-------------------- If you're frightened of dying and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the earth.
Edited by JackofSpades (08/06/10 02:05 PM)
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badchad
Mad Scientist
Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,377
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: OneMoreRobot3021]
#13012640 - 08/06/10 02:06 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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So her message is to slack off, do nothing, and disregard learning basic skills like reading, writing, and arithimetic.
Then justify it on the grounds of defying "the machine"? Nowadays, it seems even valedictorians are looking for excuses to be lazy.
For many, finding your "path" and your "passion" takes a lot of back-breaking work, whether in school or outside the machine.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
Edited by badchad (08/06/10 02:07 PM)
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tito123
Registered: 01/23/10
Posts: 3,006
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: badchad]
#13012677 - 08/06/10 02:13 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
badchad said: So her message is to slack off, do nothing, and disregard learning basic skills like reading, writing, and arithimetic.
Then justify it on the grounds of defying "the machine"? Nowadays, it seems even valedictorians are looking for excuses to be lazy.
For many, finding your "path" and your "passion" takes a lot of back-breaking work, whether in school or outside the machine.
no. its to find something you're interested in and pursue it instead of slacking off or spending your time memorizing information and passing trivial tests.
You should strive to learn but not for the sole purpose of getting good grades and going to college
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badchad
Mad Scientist
Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,377
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: tito123]
#13012714 - 08/06/10 02:19 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
tito123 said: no. its to find something you're interested in and pursue it instead of slacking off
And this is what high school does. It teaches the most basic of skills. That's it. If attending school until the age of 18 completely breaks you and prevents you from your aspirations, then that says a lot about someone.
Not everyone can be a video game designer, professional pot tester, or pro athlete. Little kids should have basic skills to fall back on when faced with the reality of life.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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tito123
Registered: 01/23/10
Posts: 3,006
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: badchad]
#13012783 - 08/06/10 02:36 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
badchad said:
Quote:
tito123 said: no. its to find something you're interested in and pursue it instead of slacking off
And this is what high school does. It teaches the most basic of skills. That's it. If attending school until the age of 18 completely breaks you and prevents you from your aspirations, then that says a lot about someone.
Not everyone can be a video game designer, professional pot tester, or pro athlete. Little kids should have basic skills to fall back on when faced with the reality of life.
It does teach you basic skills but most folks arent passionate about what they learn. I know that everyone cant have jobs that relate to what they're passionate about, but school should help kids learn to become passionate about something.
Even if the high schooler does grow up to work in a factory or whatever, they can go home to enjoy their hobby
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ManianFH
living in perverty
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Re: The Best Valedictorian Speech Ever: Girl Indicts the American Public Education System [Re: tito123]
#13012839 - 08/06/10 02:46 PM (13 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
badchad said:
no. its to find something you're interested in and pursue it instead of slacking off or spending your time memorizing information and passing trivial tests.
You should strive to learn but not for the sole purpose of getting good grades and going to college
im not gonna speak for highschool because I didnt really go, but college was an awesome experience and I would do anything to be able to go back and memorize more 'trivial' facts and get good grades on tests. That shit trained my mind to think critically. I am a better person for having gone to college, without a doubt.
-------------------- notapillow said: "you are going about this endeavor all wrong. clear your mind of useless fear and concern. buy the ticket, take the ride, and all that.... " ChrisWho said: "It's all about the journey, not the destination."
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