my own ideas- exams in college... are they fair?

After taking my biology exam last week, I concluded that exams in college are not a good or true interpretation of the students capabilities. I had studied for numerous hours, many days prior to the date of my exam and when I went into that classroom, I felt like I had known nothing. When teachers make their course all about exams and nothing else, it is not fair to the students. Not everyone is a good test taker. In my situation, it is not that I am a bad student because I had studied for hours. It is simply that the stresses and anxiety that come along side exams in sometimes a barrier for students.


This really got me thinking because when I was applying to colleges senior year, there was so much talk about how colleges don't really look at SAT scores anymore and how students are more than just a number. Well, then why in classes do teachers view their students as just numbers? Three big exams and you either pass the course or you fail. I personally just do not find that fair.


Just as a college factors in extra circular activities and community service and thing of that such, teachers should have other factors as well. And I'm not taking take away exams, but have other opportunities for students to show their capabilities. Homework, projects, quizzes, speeches. A teacher should give opportunities for all learning types. They should want every student to succeed. 


A study done at Harvard University states that "According to a poll that Fleming took last spring in a large 600-student astronomy course, 93 percent of students said they’d prefer weekly quizzes over a couple of large midterms and a final. Seventy-eight percent reported actually learning more that way, and almost all of them — 98 percent — said they were less stressed taking short, weekly quizzes than they were taking large exams". 

I really found that interesting because the numbers speak for themselves. How, with those numbers, does America see nothing wrong with exams in colleges? It will be very interesting to see how things will change for the years to come. Will exams remain? Will they diminish? What do you think? 

Response to a response post

Cori's response post:

I am writing this in response to Kayla's post "My Accounting Professor Looks at the Floor When He Lectures". She raises an interesting point when she poses the question "where has my free thinking gone?". Within the American education system, we are taught from a young age to learn information and spit it back out on a test. Beyond that, we are likely to forget the information. The way the system works is that we are taught to absorb this concrete information without question. We are taught to see or interpret things in a certain way and rarely are we encouraged to bring in our own interpretations. The loss of free thinking that Kayla is referring to holds true for many students, especially those in high school. In high school, we absorbed the information, spit it back out on the test, then forgot it. In a sense, our high schools did "brainwash" us. They made us young, un-opinionated robots. College, I believe, is slightly different. In college, more things are open to interpretation, although it depends on your major. For students like Kayla and I, much of what we learn is concrete fact and is not open to interpretation. I am a physical therapy major and in the science and math courses that I take, I mainly learn the facts. One of the things that I like about English classes is that things are more fluid and students can have differing perspectives on the same thing. Learning straight facts can get boring. Speaking of boring, Kayla also addressed her boredom sitting in class as her professor droned on and on. Frankly, who wouldn't be bored with that? No one wants to listen to a professor ramble on about whatever the topic may be. Every college student, and every student in general, has felt this way at some point or another. The extreme boredom and disinterest that we feel is due to a lack of engagement. It makes the class go by faster for everyone if the professor engages the students, rather than just talking at us. She or he will never get through to us if they continue to pour out this information without asking us our opinions. I find that even professors that don't engage with their students tend to appear bored in class. It almost appears as though they've given up hope on trying to get through to us and they are leaving it up to us to decide what we do with the information presented to us. Why is that? Is it because the older generations lack faith in our generation? I've heard from many members of older generations that our generation is too technology-oriented. However, I have to wonder, if they had the technology that we have today back then, would they have been the same way? Most likely, yes. So then why do some of those of older generations criticize our generation? That question, I'm afraid I don't know the answer to. While I may try to rationalize their reasonings with my own analysis, I ultimately can't truly know unless I ask. Anyway, I'm rambling but getting back to Kayla's post, she brought up changing her major in the middle of her post. This thought occurs in almost every student's mind. I myself have questioned why I chose physical therapy and if I should change my major. At eighteen years old, we are expected to know exactly what we want to do with the rest of our lives, yet one month ago we had to ask permission to go to the bathroom. Throughout high school, we didn't get that much freedom to do or study what we wanted. Now, in college, we are given all this freedom and we are thrown into this not knowing how to really navigate our way through life. Most of us are bound to change majors by the time we graduate. In college, there is so much pressure when choosing a major. Not only finding something you like, but also taking a practical approach, and asking yourself, will I be able to make a living with this as my career? It's nerve-wrecking. Anyway, that is the end of my ramblings for today.

My response to her response:

I chose to respond to Cori's post about education because I actually feel differently. In the school systems in the United States, there are core classes that need to be taken by every student all the way from about 3rd grade up until 12th grade. Cori feels how this limits a student’s freedom while I, on the other hand, disagree with that. I think that forcing students to take certain classes is very important because just introducing subjects isn't enough. One or two years of science or history don’t give a student a good idea of what the subject really consists of. For example, science consists of multiple different types. You have biology, chemistry, physics, etc. A lot of students go into college as biology major, or a chemistry major, which is something that they discovered they liked after taking the course, a course they most likely were exposed to later on in their education. I think that if students had taken only one year of a science, they would have never discovered their love for the subject. Also, I think the liberal arts are specifically important in college. Personally, I had only looked for liberal arts universities because it makes a well-rounded individual. Being a radiology major, I already am very specifically invested in my career choice. It is good that I continue to have exposure to the arts and the sciences, however, because it keeps me well rounded and well educated. I took western heritage the first semester and it was one of my favorite classes. Because all I am surrounded with a lot of the time is science and medical terms, incorporating history into my schedule was so interesting for me. Also, liberal arts educations keeps student’s imaginations going, which is something I feel is very important as students grow into more mature young adults. 

In an article I ready from the Huffington Post highlighting liberal arts educations, I had found this quote: 

"Clearly, all successful careers require critical thinking, teamwork, sensitivity to cultural, demographic, economic and societal differences and political perspectives. A liberal arts education provides this grounding. Most people will have six to 10 jobs during their careers, and liberal arts majors are the most adaptable to new circumstances. No one knows what the jobs of the future will be, but a liberal arts degree provides a great foundation for adjusting to new careers and further education. We do know that a third of all Fortune 500 CEOs have liberal arts degrees. For example, Leslie Moonves, who leads CBS, has a degree in Spanish from Bucknell University, and Howard Schultz, Starbucks' CEO, majored in communications at Northern Michigan". I found this to bring up another important aspect of liberal arts. No matter what major a student is or what career they intend to go into, critical thinking, teamwork, sensitivity to cultural, demographic, economic and societal differences and political perspectives are all things that a professional deals with on a daily basis. Just taking courses in a desired interest may not expose a student to the proper skills they need to succeed within their career.

Additionally, it is said that employers are more likely to hire an individual with a liberal arts education as appose to an individual who is educated in his or her specific specialty. So now, not only does a liberal arts education improve daily skills, but also it helps receiving job offers as well.

Overall, in response to Cori’s response on freedom of education, I feel there should not be as much freedom as some people might like to see because it doesn’t create a prepared individual for what a workplace might throw at them. These things include critical thinking, teamwork, general knowledge, differences in cultures, and proper people skills. Liberal arts education kind of gives a student the best of both worlds, so why would you not want that?

Response to a non-classmate's blog post :)

My non-classmate, Amanda Zdun's, blog post:

Life Lessons

In the past year, I have come to the realization that life is too short to not cherish the things you love. Since the passing of my father, I have looked at life through a new perspective. The people you love will not be around forever so cherish those precious moments you have with them. Family and friends are the most important things in my life. Family will always be there for you and will love you unconditionally even if they hate you some days. They would do whatever it takes to make sure you are okay and happy. They will always be the first ones there right when you need them, even if they live in another state. You're family supports you in everything you do and are always your number one fans. You never realize how much you love someone until they are gone, so show them every opportunity you get because it may be your last chance. Most people will brush this off and say 'Oh nothing bad will happen to them because they're healthy and happy' until they're gone and you were forced to learn the hard way like I did.

Friends are the few people you count on to be there for you whenever you need them. When there is something you don't want to tell your family, a friend will be there to lend the listening ear or the shoulder to cry on. A good friend is one that picks you up when you are down and makes you laugh when all you want to do is cry. When family isn't around, they're the first people you call. they will support you in every decision you make but will be truthful and tell you when you're wrong. Your parents treat your friend as if they are their own child. They come to all the family gatherings and birthday parties because your whole family asks where they are when they are not with you. At this point you no longer have a friend, you have another family member. The friends you have that become family are so important, make sure you share how much they truly mean to you. Life is too short too hold back your feelings, so love with all your heart and speak your mind often.

Like I said in the first sentence, life is too short to not do what you love. Many people have hobbies such as playing an instrument, knitting, or playing sports. I love the game of soccer. If I could play everyday until the day I die I would. It makes me so happy and I never get sick of it, even after already playing for 12 years. The endorphins released when you exercise diminish the perception of pain, it's like a drug but better because you can't get addicted. Endorphins make you a happier person as well. Exercising, such as playing a sport or just running, reduces stress, depression, anxiety, and boosts your self-esteem. Whenever I am feeling down or just not myself, I go and play soccer. I forget about everything that is on my mind and I am only focused on the game. Once my dad passed, I lost my drive to play. Everything in my life ceased for a while because I didn't know how to handle the emotional toll and stress of losing a parent. During this time period I was asked to commit to a school to play soccer at the division 1 level, but because I was in a slump, I declined all offers and chose the school closest to home. Once I realized my mistake it was too late. I was in season for basketball and I took over a week off. Once I realized that my father would have wanted me to continue to do what I loved and not mope around, I started playing again. Not very well but it made me feel better, it kept my mind off the world around me for a few hours and I was able to smile again. Even when bad things happen in your life, you shouldn't quit doing the things you love. That will only make things worse.

Do what you love and love the people in your life unconditionally because one day it may all be gone.

My Response:

I really enjoyed reading this non-classmates post for many reasons. First, I really liked what she started off talking about. When she says, “life is too short to not cherish the things you love”, I truly agree with that. To start, going through high school, I would spend time with my family, but I would kind of just go through the motions. For example, Sunday dinners at my grandmothers house became a norm to me that I never was really appreciative of the time the family was spending together. All the laughs, the stories, and the arguments were never looked at as something special. Now, sitting in my dorm room looking back to last year, I have learned that each and every moment spent with my loved ones is a moment that I should cherish and hold true to my heart. When Amanda begins to talk about the passing of her father, I begin to think about how hard that must have been for her. Senior year of high school and the beginning of college is the 2 times that you would need your dad most. Nothing is scarier than committing to a school and starting a new life away from home. Thinking about going through that experience without my dad makes me feel empty. I value his opinion so dearly. When Amanda says how family will always be there for you, she wasn’t kidding. That is something else that I really agree with. I can get into a huge fight with my mother and 10 minutes later things can be fine. Family is family and no matter what they will have your back. They are the ones in this world that love unconditionally. Personally, so far this year I have had a very hard time being away from my family. It’s funny because I never thought I would miss them so much. Like I was saying before, I used to go through the motions during family dinner, not treasuring the good company. But, now when I am home on breaks, I spend nearly every second with my family because I know that is what’s important.

Continuing on, I always really agree when Amanda talks about friends. She says how “Your parents treat your friend as if they are their own child. They come to all the family gatherings…” I specifically wanted to respond to this expert of Amanda’s post because of the relationship my roommate and I have. This past weekend, I had gone home with her. Besides the fact that we are best friends, I couldn’t be more grateful for how her family treats me. Over the weekend, I went out to dinner with her and her family for her grandparent’s birthday. They made me feel so welcomed and like a part of the family. It’s so comforting to know that even when I am 3 and a half hours away, I still have a home. Also, because I have school this year the week proceeding and the week after Easter, I am unable to go home. My roommates family invited me to spend Easter Sunday with them and I could not be more grateful and excited. Its something like that that goes such a long way.

Finally, Amanda talks about doing what you love. Within the past year, I have learned a lot as well. I have a job at a physical therapy office back at home and I absolutely love it. My passion is helping people and I am so happy and grateful that I was exposed to this experience prior to college because this helped me in deciding my major. Now, being a radiology major, I will be able to earn a degree turning my passion into my profession and personally, I think there is nothing more rewarding than that.

Overall, when Amanda says, “Do what you love and love the people in your life unconditionally because one day it may all be gone”, I 100% agree. You may never know when something in your life might dramatically change so I have learned to never take any experience lightly, cherish my past and my present, and love. I’ve learned to love my life because when I sit down and think about it, it’s pretty amazing.

Response to a classmates post :)

Classmate Alyssa's post:

Saturday, February 7, 2015

One of the first lessons a child is never interact with strangers. It was pounded into our heads that if you do not know someone do not accept any of their invitations. The worry was for parent is kidnapping so it was a must to teach their children the lesson of stranger danger. Most of the time, parents only talk to their children about the danger of strangers and do not usually create an elaborate fake abduction to teach their child a lesson. Yet, recently in Missouri a mother decided to stage a kidnapping of her six year son because she thought he was too nice to strangers. Involved was the boy’s mother, grandmother, aunt, and aunt’s co-worker. The plan went down as followed. The boy gets dropped off by the school bus at his bus stop after school where there is a man (the aunt’s co-worker) waiting with a truck. The mysterious truck driver lured the boy into his vehicle where the boy was tied up with plastic bag ties. The boy was threatened with comments like “you will never see your mommy again” and that he would be “nailed to a wall.” Later in the car ride the boy was threatened again only this time with a gun if the boy would not stop crying. The truck driver drove to the boy’s home where the mother, grandmother, and aunt where hiding inside. The truck driver put the boy’s jacket over his head to shield the boy’s eyes from recognizing that the boy was in his own basement. In the basement, the aunt took of the boy’s pants and threatened that the boy would be sold into sex slavery. His mother and grandmother listened to this event through a baby monitor. After a few hours of being tied up in the basement, the boy was told to go upstairs where he was lectured about the dangers of strangers. It is to be said that this staging lasted for four hours. The mother is being charged with felony of kidnapping and felony abuse and neglect of a child. The grandmother, aunt, and aunt’s co-worker are being charged with felonious restraint. Even with the charges the family claims they did nothing wrong.

There are plethora of problems to this approach of hands on parenting (pun intended). First of all, it is against the law. Kidnapping is a serious offense and is not a joking matter. Whether or not it was a serious attack or a teaching lesson, taking a child or anyone against their will is kidnapping, even if there is parental consent. Secondly, if this false kidnapping was some how leaked as a real kidnapping in the community it would caused massive repercussions. What if someone saw the trucker take the boy into his truck unwillingly? That person would most likely call 911 and the police would be on the hunt for a kidnapping. This causes unnecessary police actions and a unnecessary concern and panic among the community. Lastly, the trauma this incident boy has been through really believing he was kidnapped and later to find out it was all a set up. This boy is going to remember the horrific statements and actions against him even if he now knows it was all a lie. He is only six years old, a time where child’s brain’s are absorbing every little detail. Many people have experienced real life kidnapping and this mental baggage is something they tow with them for the rest of their lives. Why put that unnecessary stress and shock on a young boy who does not have to experience that ordeal? In the video linked below, Lieutenant Andy Binder is still haunted by a kidnapping that happened to him when he was five years old. He will never be able to let that terrible experience go.

The real question here is will the family become guilty to their charges. The family intention of teaching the boy a lesson about stranger danger is extremely valid. The family wanted to go outside of the box and have a real effect on the boy’s thinking about strangers. Yet, did they go too far? Or are the justified because the planned was in a controlled environment?

Please comment to share your opinion on this lessons gone unlawful.

Article Link: http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/05/us/missouri-fake-kidnapping/

By Alyssa Marino

Word Count: 725

My Response: 


I really found this blog post particularly interesting. In response to Alyssa’s question- YES, they did go too far.

When I first started reading, I honestly was questioning if this had been a joke because I could not believe that anybody had the audacity to do something like the Missouri family had. I agree with Alyssa's statement when she says how parents only discuss stranger danger and don't create a fake depiction of a scenario that could potentially happen. That being said, not by any means should a parent kid nap their own child and scare the living day lights out of them! What really concerns me is how the mother of this child did not evaluate how something like this could seriously affect her son psychologically. According to the American Psychological Association, "When 
hostages are released, it is essential for them to:

~Receive medical attention.

~Be in a safe and secure environment.

~Connect with loved ones.

~Have an opportunity to talk or journal their experience if and when they choose.

~Receive resources and information about how to seek counseling, particularly if their distress from the incident is interfering with their daily lives.

~Protect their privacy (e.g. avoid media overexposure including watching and listening to news and participating in media interviews).

~Take time to adjust back into family and work.

Family and friends can support survivors by listening, being patient and focusing on their freedom instead of engaging in negative talk about the captors”. I found these facts particularly ironic because basically every tip is indicating how crucial it is for a released hostage to be supported by their family. What is going to happen for this little boy is

Missouri? His family is the ones who kid napped him!

I was very happy to see how charges were being pressed against the parties involved.

Something else that disturbed me about this event was the fact that the boy was shown a gun and told he would be forced into sexual slavery. I had searched the NBC news report and it had said, “The blindfolded child was then taken to the family's home, put in the basement, and his aunt allegedly removed the child's pants and told him he could be sold into sex slavery”. When I read how the aunt had removed the boys pants I was particularly disturbed. So not only was the boy told about the so called sex slavery, but the aunt put her hands on him and went to the extent of removing his pants. It just honestly blows my mind how this group of people planned this and went through with it. It makes you wonder how long absurd things have been going on and if the boy was being abused all this time.

Something else that I found rather crazy was how the scenario was a whole family ordeal. The mother, the aunt, the grandmother, and a close family friend. How is any of that normal?

To me, a lesson is an experience where you can learn and grow. A learning experience where one can take things and move forward. This “kidnapping” definitely does not fall into that category of a lesson.

One last thing that I wanted to touch upon was how the boy now has no one to look after him. After reading up on some reports, it was mentioned how the boy is still in social services custody and was not placed with a family member yet. I find it so sad how this boy will most likely be in the system for a good portion of his childhood because all of his family was convicted and is currently behind bars.

Overall, I am in utter shock and dismay. I hope that everyone involved gets locked up for a very long time and the boy gets help from over qualified professionals. One can only hope that he will have a normal life again, but the truth is, after something so traumatic, it is unknown if he ever will.