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Tuesday, October 03, 2006
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How To Jay Mathews, in the Washington Post, reviews what sounds like a somewhat cutesy book giving college students advice on getting A's. The authors apparently acknowledge that in these grade-inflated times, showing up is pretty much the ticket; yet they also note that some universities are enacting grade-deflation policies. Mathews highlights what he found particularly good advice. For instance, the authors mention something I've mentioned on this blog too: If a course feels all wrong -- the professor is terribly dull, or adores PowerPoint, or just wants to show you her favorite movies -- drop it right away. (Yes, the course that asks you to watch movies may be an easy A. But you'll hate yourself in the morning.) In many cases, a glance at Rate My Professors will be all you need to avoid or drop a particularly rancid course. Much of the book's advice can indeed be reduced, though, to Show Up. Listen. Take notes. Think about the course content for yourself, and write papers that reflect independent thought. |