(no subject)
Had an interesting conversation with Karl, predicated on the preciousness of Stanford credits, and the idiocy of going broad (premed and econ) instead of deep (where the true value of Stanford is). That isn't what he said, but the general impression I got, he's a really nice guy and wouldn't say anything mean. But it makes you think and reconsider. Me. Makes me think and consider reconsidering.
Why?
I'm going to do the econ. Because it's interesting, because it's fun, because I respect it. I'm looking forward to the high level courses, and. I'm doing it. And that feels right.
But the part where I take the pre-med requirements. Thoughts against:
~Stanford credits are precious. (This is unequivocally agreed, financially, emotionally, whatever. Yes.)
~Taking generic classes (basic bio/chem/math) isn't worth it because you can get it anywhere else (community college, etc).
~You aren't really taking advantage of what Stanford has to offer when you take basic classes = waste. (You have to admit, this has the ring of truth. How much do I really learn in Chem?)
Thoughts for:
~Generic classes are still with good Proffs. (This is only sort of true, right. I've had my share of bad teachers in big classes. Chem.) The idea that only the greatest chef makes quality boiled eggs.
~I wouldn't take classes at a community college unless it was terribly necessary (like it would be for pre-med).
~I'm sampling what's good. So I'm not taking the labs.
~It's still good for my brain. Whatever with the units, but this is good for my brain and I wouldn't get it otherwise.
~I don't think I've wasted anything so far (and if I don't think I have, then I haven't. This is true the same way "I feel cold" MUST be true.)
How much am I really getting out of Chem 35 and Bio 41? Admittedly, Bio41 = nothing. High school bio was more thorough and deeper in some ways. And rightnow Bgman is SO slow.
Can't say I've had a super intellectual time in Chem. The most important thing Chem has taught me is how completely I can fail. Absolutely, fundamentally, and in a way that crushed me emotionally. And I can go on and *thank god* get a proff that redeemed the entire department and a TA who cares.
It's the way things go here, right? We all ask ourselves, secretly, out loud, in glances, over dinner, when we're picking classes, when we're eyeing the competition, when we're Beruiting, when we procrastinate, when we get our grades back -- is this place worth it? And when we have conversations about this, it's obvious from the way everyone pauses between words and searches for the exact turn of phrase that they have searched their soul and written their essays and come to their own spiritual conclusions. (Is it worth it?) Because the cost is so, so high.
I remember the relig. studies proff asking us, would you die to save this place? And none of us said yes. And he said, oh, well, I guess you're all freshmen.
I still haven't found that greatness. Then again, there are so few things I'd die for.
Why?
I'm going to do the econ. Because it's interesting, because it's fun, because I respect it. I'm looking forward to the high level courses, and. I'm doing it. And that feels right.
But the part where I take the pre-med requirements. Thoughts against:
~Stanford credits are precious. (This is unequivocally agreed, financially, emotionally, whatever. Yes.)
~Taking generic classes (basic bio/chem/math) isn't worth it because you can get it anywhere else (community college, etc).
~You aren't really taking advantage of what Stanford has to offer when you take basic classes = waste. (You have to admit, this has the ring of truth. How much do I really learn in Chem?)
Thoughts for:
~Generic classes are still with good Proffs. (This is only sort of true, right. I've had my share of bad teachers in big classes. Chem.) The idea that only the greatest chef makes quality boiled eggs.
~I wouldn't take classes at a community college unless it was terribly necessary (like it would be for pre-med).
~I'm sampling what's good. So I'm not taking the labs.
~It's still good for my brain. Whatever with the units, but this is good for my brain and I wouldn't get it otherwise.
~I don't think I've wasted anything so far (and if I don't think I have, then I haven't. This is true the same way "I feel cold" MUST be true.)
How much am I really getting out of Chem 35 and Bio 41? Admittedly, Bio41 = nothing. High school bio was more thorough and deeper in some ways. And rightnow Bgman is SO slow.
Can't say I've had a super intellectual time in Chem. The most important thing Chem has taught me is how completely I can fail. Absolutely, fundamentally, and in a way that crushed me emotionally. And I can go on and *thank god* get a proff that redeemed the entire department and a TA who cares.
It's the way things go here, right? We all ask ourselves, secretly, out loud, in glances, over dinner, when we're picking classes, when we're eyeing the competition, when we're Beruiting, when we procrastinate, when we get our grades back -- is this place worth it? And when we have conversations about this, it's obvious from the way everyone pauses between words and searches for the exact turn of phrase that they have searched their soul and written their essays and come to their own spiritual conclusions. (Is it worth it?) Because the cost is so, so high.
I remember the relig. studies proff asking us, would you die to save this place? And none of us said yes. And he said, oh, well, I guess you're all freshmen.
I still haven't found that greatness. Then again, there are so few things I'd die for.