A mild rant [school time woes]

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Firia

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Sep 17, 2007
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This is a mild rant-- and pretty trivial at that. Turn back now if trivial things are not for you. I just biked my ass over 15 miles of hilly terrain to burn off some steam, so what would have been a heated super conductor of anger and disappointment is now an exhausted dribbling of annoyance. But I still feel the need to talk about it. :) So hear me out.

I'm returning to school (college) this fall. I've dabbled in community college classes here and there, but really, the last time I was a part of any serious learning experience was a little over 10 years ago.

This week we're having freshmen orientation. It's mostly student bonding where you get to know your fellow freshmen and classmates. I quickly realized that just about every one of these students is a fresh high school graduate. Year '09 graduation! I was in high school before some of these kids were even in elementary!

I'm finding it hard to "bond" with some of these classmates. It's not like any other college. It's an art and preforming arts college; people who paint and design (me), then act sing and dance go to this college. So the type of student body isn't like a typical college (I should know, I worked at one for 2 years at one time). You've got the social oddities here. But moreso, they're all still children! I can order a beer without a second thought. I can rent a car. Etc.

When I say kids, I mean, they're immature teenagers. Yeah, half of the people reading this are probably teens won't be able to relate to what I'm talking about. But when I talk to them about meaningful things, they glaze over it. They get trivial. We had lunch at this mexican place, and this kid unrelated to our orientation group came in. He had a goofy haircut (eyes completely concealed by hair), and everyone just started whispering talking smack about him behind his back. I left these judgmental days behind me.

I'm not a kid, and I'm not going to regress just to be accepted. But I suppose the part that gets me the most is being disappointed at the quality of student body. I frankly expected more. What upsets me most, is the disappointment. I'll likely mingle with upperclassmen (a little older, a little wiser), but they'll all graduate before me, and I'll be stuck with this bunch in my senior year.

Anyway, thanks for hearing me out. You're a trooper, and deserve a cookie. Maybe I should get upset more often. :) I feel calm now, and I've burned off over 500 cals doing it.
 

Xyphon

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Jun 17, 2009
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Really, that's not as bad as being surrounded by wanna-be gangsters, dude. At least the people around you have the mental and verbal ability to be in a college of any sort.

On a side note, I find that ANYBODY who talks shit behind a person's back might as well get their balls removed for being complete and utter pansies.
 

AmrasCalmacil

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Jul 19, 2008
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I believe there was promise of a cookie?

Just ignore them if they bother you, and if it comes to the worst then you can always use fire.
 

Warrior Irme

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May 30, 2008
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I am a second year college student though after my major change it feels like I am starting over as well. I too am disappointed with this new crowd that I need to be around in my lower level classes. I may share a similar age bracket with these people though I certainly don't feel that the majority acts their age. Some of my best friends from semesters past have been the juniors/seniors and all of the students much like yourself sir that are starting college a little later in life.

My recommendation is to wait to judge this set until after you see them in the upper level courses. Who knows, they may surprise you once they have matured a little more.
 
May 27, 2008
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tell them to either GFYA or go suck a fat one, got me through most of my schooling

or be the cool aloof older guy who seems to care about nothing
 

RavingPenguin

Engaged to PaintyFace
Jan 20, 2009
2,438
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Ah yes, immaturity. Certainly one of the more trouble aspects of my generation. What makes it worse is often these are the accepted norms, when one tries to be different he is estranged. This can be crippling to a person, as people are social beings and enjoy being accepted. It really is a sad reality.

I just try to be who I am and anyone who doesnt like it can go fuck right off, those who dont mind I usually get along with just fine though.
 

eatenbyagrue

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Dec 25, 2008
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You're preaching to the choir. Similar experience, smaller age gap (2-4 years difference). You'll find that even in a group relatively older than that, they STILL act like children well into their sophomore year.

RavingPenguin said:
astranged
Estranged, although "ostracized" would be a more appropriate word.
 

Motti

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Jan 26, 2009
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Dammit I thought this was just me (although I'm still in high school so everyone's my age).
 

Dancingman

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Aug 15, 2008
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Firia said:
This is a mild rant-- and pretty trivial at that. Turn back now if trivial things are not for you. I just biked my ass over 15 miles of hilly terrain to burn off some steam, so what would have been a heated super conductor of anger and disappointment is now an exhausted dribbling of annoyance. But I still feel the need to talk about it. :) So hear me out.

I'm returning to school (college) this fall. I've dabbled in community college classes here and there, but really, the last time I was a part of any serious learning experience was a little over 10 years ago.

This week we're having freshmen orientation. It's mostly student bonding where you get to know your fellow freshmen and classmates. I quickly realized that just about every one of these students is a fresh high school graduate. Year '09 graduation! I was in high school before some of these kids were even in elementary!

I'm finding it hard to "bond" with some of these classmates. It's not like any other college. It's an art and preforming arts college; people who paint and design (me), then act sing and dance go to this college. So the type of student body isn't like a typical college (I should know, I worked at one for 2 years at one time). You've got the social oddities here. But moreso, they're all still children! I can order a beer without a second thought. I can rent a car. Etc.

When I say kids, I mean, they're immature teenagers. Yeah, half of the people reading this are probably teens won't be able to relate to what I'm talking about. But when I talk to them about meaningful things, they glaze over it. They get trivial. We had lunch at this mexican place, and this kid unrelated to our orientation group came in. He had a goofy haircut (eyes completely concealed by hair), and everyone just started whispering talking smack about him behind his back. I left these judgmental days behind me.

I'm not a kid, and I'm not going to regress just to be accepted. But I suppose the part that gets me the most is being disappointed at the quality of student body. I frankly expected more. What upsets me most, is the disappointment. I'll likely mingle with upperclassmen (a little older, a little wiser), but they'll all graduate before me, and I'll be stuck with this bunch in my senior year.

Anyway, thanks for hearing me out. You're a trooper, and deserve a cookie. Maybe I should get upset more often. :) I feel calm now, and I've burned off over 500 cals doing it.
I feel you there, I'm a bit more developed than most of my mates, makes me a bit a pariah, but I don't give half a damn.
 

TheThinker

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Sep 1, 2009
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I definately had the same thing, though to a lesser degree no doubt. I took a lot of time off study, and coming back everyone a few years younger is now my peer. I made an effort to make friends when I was first at uni, but now when I talk to people I just get bored so quickly with what they have to say, as I am passed those stages in my life.

Also bewildering, is how rapidly things seem to change now. Listening to a conversation about schoolyard fights, sex tapes and so on caught on video phones that some younger girls were talking about... I just... I never had those problems in school, there weren't any video phones. It's just really weird to try and imagine all the stuff you did in school, but caught on tape and coming back to bite you in the arse. I already feel like an old man.
 

Disaster Button

Elite Member
Feb 18, 2009
5,237
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Firia said:
This is a mild rant-- and pretty trivial at that. Turn back now if trivial things are not for you. I just biked my ass over 15 miles of hilly terrain to burn off some steam, so what would have been a heated super conductor of anger and disappointment is now an exhausted dribbling of annoyance. But I still feel the need to talk about it. :) So hear me out.

I'm returning to school (college) this fall. I've dabbled in community college classes here and there, but really, the last time I was a part of any serious learning experience was a little over 10 years ago.

This week we're having freshmen orientation. It's mostly student bonding where you get to know your fellow freshmen and classmates. I quickly realized that just about every one of these students is a fresh high school graduate. Year '09 graduation! I was in high school before some of these kids were even in elementary!

I'm finding it hard to "bond" with some of these classmates. It's not like any other college. It's an art and preforming arts college; people who paint and design (me), then act sing and dance go to this college. So the type of student body isn't like a typical college (I should know, I worked at one for 2 years at one time). You've got the social oddities here. But moreso, they're all still children! I can order a beer without a second thought. I can rent a car. Etc.

When I say kids, I mean, they're immature teenagers. Yeah, half of the people reading this are probably teens won't be able to relate to what I'm talking about. But when I talk to them about meaningful things, they glaze over it. They get trivial. We had lunch at this mexican place, and this kid unrelated to our orientation group came in. He had a goofy haircut (eyes completely concealed by hair), and everyone just started whispering talking smack about him behind his back. I left these judgmental days behind me.

I'm not a kid, and I'm not going to regress just to be accepted. But I suppose the part that gets me the most is being disappointed at the quality of student body. I frankly expected more. What upsets me most, is the disappointment. I'll likely mingle with upperclassmen (a little older, a little wiser), but they'll all graduate before me, and I'll be stuck with this bunch in my senior year.

Anyway, thanks for hearing me out. You're a trooper, and deserve a cookie. Maybe I should get upset more often. :) I feel calm now, and I've burned off over 500 cals doing it.
Meh I know what you mean, I'm 16 (which is probably the age you're on about) and I still find myself wondering from time to time wondering why people are having such a meaningless conversation.

I'm by no means someone who thinks EVERY CONVERSATION HS TO BE DEEP AND MEANINGFUL RAAAAGH and usually do goofy stuff all the time which is usually hilarious if not embarassing with mates. But I dunno, I guess we all feel like we're above certain people at some point in our lives
 

Lord George

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Aug 25, 2008
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I've actually held of from going to uni yet so that I can mature, I could have gone this year after just turning 17 but I think I'm going to wait till next year when I'll be 18 to go. It also means I'll have 5 A levels by then so woo.
 

Vern

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Sep 19, 2008
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I'm sorry but I see this as somewhat hypocritical. You're complaining about people being immature, judgmental and talking about people behind their backs and then you complain on the internet about these people?
 

justnotcricket

Echappe, retire, sous sus PANIC!
Apr 24, 2008
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This sounds like the universal complaint af all graduate students everywhere:

"Man, the undergrads are soooo...immature...they make me sick! It's all "OMG!" this and "WTF?!" that...don't they have a brain? And they're at university for goodness' sake! I worry for the future of humanity..."

*grad student shakes head sagely*...conveniently forgetting that when they were 18 they weren't necessarily much better. =)

University is a huge learning curve, for some more than others, and a lot of people do most of their real 'maturing' during those years. Give them a chance, they'll get over themselves soon enough - and if they don't then they're going to be like that for the rest of their lives anyway, so just continue to ignore them.

Besides, what's the priority, really? Fitting in with people ten years younger than you or getting your degree?
 

Mr Companion

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Jul 27, 2009
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I find it difficult to sympathise because I happen to be a "09" graduate and have likely suffered far worse than you at the hands of these people. In fact it almost makes me angry imagining you been all worked up about what sounds to be a fairly relaxed situation in comparison to the absolute all consuming horror of some of the stupidity I have had to witness.

I mean, have you ever had a fat stupid kid splash water on your crotch and proudly declare "Ha ha you wet your pants"?
Have you ever seen a swarm of students run around of the tables screaming just because the teacher has left the room?
Perhaps you have been milling around in a gym lesson when a kid yanks down your trousers in front of everybody? Have you seen this happen when all these events occurred in a group bloody sixteen year olds I fucking kid you not!!!?
NO YOU HAVE NOT.
Therefore I cannot sympathise with your woes.
Also I mean really, they actually are sixteen and they are actually doing this stuff. Its a damn farce. And I did note that you said it was a fairly trivial anger in the first place but I just wanted to make my opinion clear.
 

twistedshadows

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Apr 26, 2009
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There are people much older than I am in some of my classes, and I'm always able to get along with them quite well. There are mature teenagers out there, but they are easily overlooked in a group of immature teens. Hold out until your actual classes, chances are you'll find a more diverse group of people there.