Older Daughter, as you know, is now attending college to become a nurse. She's doing extremely well in her classes. As in, extremely well.
Listening to her stories, it's interesting how things have changed since Don and I were in school in the early 80s (and for me, the early 90s for grad school). For one thing, the internet, smart phones (and other devices), and artificial intelligence have made teaching much more challenging than ever before. Apparently instructors have to bend themselves into pretzels to prevent cheating.
So when I saw this illustration below, I sent it to Older Daughter labeled, "Your chuckle du jour":
I meant this to be nothing more than a lighthearted poke at something students have always tried to do, namely cheat.
But Older Daughter replied, "This is why the testing center a) doesn't let you bring ANY loose item in, and b) makes you take off and display all angles of your glasses or hearing aids, and c) makes you lift up your pants to expose your socks and ankles. They are taking NO chances."
I said, "You're ... kidding ... More security than an airport."
She answered, "You can't even bring your own pencil, they provide one."
I responded, "Wow. And the sad thing is, presumably they had to implement these protocols for a reason."
I guess this is the new reality in college.
There's always been cheaters. Ted Kennedy cheated at Harvard. On and on. I cheated once on a take-home Latin quiz I was ill prepared for. Considering I failed, I thought cheating was probably not a good idea.
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm glad she's going to college. The world only gets more and more competitive, and while you and Don went, I was dismayed that your daughters went to some sketchy nanny school and just the Navy. A college degree is basically a high school diploma these days. Yes I know everyone will argue with my opinion, but I just don't see how two college educated parents can cheer when their kids don't go.
DeleteKrab a lot of people give you a lot of Grace but sometimes you are stunning.
DeleteEh, I have.a different take, Krab. Even though I earned a BA and MA (and AAS), I would recommend younger friends and family to go to a trade school - electrician, plumber, even a mechanic... I never used any of my degrees in any of my professions (which also included 8 years of Army). To have the training and ability to do concrete things with ones hands (add nursing to that) is worth far more than any college degree (especially going into debt for it, which I stupidly did), unless one is pursuing a STEM degree. Even those I have mixed feelings about, given the prevalence of AI and the likelihood of at least some of those professions being subsumed in the next 5-10 years.
DeleteThe idea that a STEM degree is your only hope, Obi-Wan, is outdated in the age of AI. I'm an old school tech person and my former coworkers are being laid off en masse. We don't know what the future holds but being well educated with a college degree is one more layer of security. As I said, college is the new high school.
DeleteOh and by the way the nanny school she went to closed because of various lawsuits and financial scandals. Not sketchy? Just me being mean? Sure thing.
DeleteI agree that the trades are a great thing to get into--low cost for school, and we will presumably always need plumbers, electricians and the like! Any experience someone can get that enables them to do work on their homes and cars themselves rather than paying someone else is always a bonus, too!
DeleteI bet Oldest Daughter's exposure to caring for farm animals gave her a huge advantage. There are undoubtedly many vivid memories of "issues" that involved biology, nutrition, genetics and figuring dosing amounts.
ReplyDeleteFor her, it is not an alien planet, it is just a place where the inhabitants look slightly different.
Unfortunately, as I have seen on other sites, I was 'dismayed' to see some people pop up on this wonderful website. But hey, it's just an opinion, whether chosen to share ....or not!
ReplyDelete(Patrice, you can publish or not. I was just 'dismayed'.)
Just because you are entitled to an opinion, doesn't necessarily mean you should give it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gramps! Sorry for being concerned about their children.
DeleteFor some people their name fits their attitude. Sometimes
ReplyDeleteI feel like responding but think it's better not to.Patrice is a gracious lady and I appreciate this blog enormously
Duh. Why do you think I chose the name? I'm cranky.
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