Exams

I’ve finished a year at University, and I’ve got only one more to go. My mother is probably freaking out as a result, but it’s still the truth.

I’m damn sick of exams and all that, though. I didn’t really want to come back to school this year, but instead I grabbed myself by the throat and managed to strangle a study ethic out of me. I’ve written papers and taken tests. So far, since all of my grades aren’t in yet, I’m doing fine. I’m more than comfortable with my GPA, but it’s just a number.

It’s an unfortunate thought to realize that your GPA is so conclusive, and so permanent. I realize it’s possible to improve it, but once that grade’s in there, that number is set in stone. What does it do, really? I know it’s supposed to be a numerical representation of what you learned and what you know, but that is often trivial. So many employers never even glance at the digit dot digit digit, so why is it needed? Some higher level positions surely do, but only at a glance. References and experience are much more important than a GPA I scored eight years ago.

It seems to be a number given by the University to show what you know. I know exactly what I know, however, so why tell me that I only 86% of the jazz history material that we covered? Or why tell me that I somehow know 100% of the recording technology material? Is that even possible? I got an A (A pluses don’t mean a thing here, they are the same as an A. It’s stupid) but do I really know everything that I was supposed to? I know that I don’t. I just knew what to know for the exam and for the project. I guess I screwed the system.

Yes, a stream of consciousness piece of garbage that started off unoriginal and ended up being a stock student rant. I probably post something about fair trade or Amnesty international next.

~ by Josh on May 9, 2008.