Journal Entry 2

1.   My last school was a Junior and Senior High School so it had ages from 12 to 18. In college, the ages can be 16 with dual enrollments kids with no limit. It was interesting coming here and seeing the older students but it reminds me to get my schoolwork done and be studious; they would probably say it's better to get college out of the way when you're younger. In my last school a lot of the students were immature and quite childish but everything is taken more seriously in college. The professors don't really need to reprimand the students like the teachers did at my previous school. Also, talking about mature subjects isn't really an issue since everyone at college is an adult, or almost an adult. At my old school kids would giggle and whisper more often.
     As I mentioned, the teachers' treatment of students is also different, especially with the reprimanding. Since college students are more mature the teachers seldom have to "control" their class. At my high school the students are loud and often ignore the teacher's requests. However, since college is a lot more serious, professors often won't extend due dates or accept late work. At my high school this was done frequently even if a student just forgot about it. It's interesting to see how in college that won't slide at all, but it is a great lesson and makes for students being more aware of their duties. In turn, they become successful in their careers.

2.   My high school was a "choice" school. That meant students had to get C's or higher in order to enroll and maintain that average throughout their middle and high school years or they would be kicked out. At this school the expectation for good grades was quite heavy. It gave me a lot of pressure and stress as it did most students. Approaching graduation, a complicated senior project had to be completed and everyone was required to apply to college. The school had a huge expectation of its students and it definitely made me bitter about education. I felt like I wasn't learning to learn but just learning to get a certain letter. If students got almost all straight A's administration would have a small party at the end of the quarter and give them pizza; but even that was very restricted. The school wanted perfect grades, and a lot of the times that's what it got.
     Hand in hand with good grades, the importance of a college education throughout going to this school was extremely significant. At every graduation ceremony, the principal explains how everyone was accepted in to a college and boasts where these students got in to. I agree college is important but it was tough going through school and it being so forced on me. Starting in middle school students talk about which college they'd like to attend, and during senior year the stress and pressure escalates as they are applying and hoping to get in to the school they'd like.