A call for student responsibility

This semester I have chosen to return to the classroom as a student. It is a one credit class on picture matting and framing. I have learned so much from this class, but I have found that I have not taken responsibility for my coursework.

My instructor has been sincerely kind and understanding about my classroom attendance. The class that I am taking is during the middle of my work day, thus I am not always able to make class due to phone calls, meetings, and giving tours. I think that most instructors at CSC are understanding.  Many of us were low-income and/or first generation students. We completely understand that students need to work to eat.  Having said that, I have to admit that I have been taking advantage of my instructor’s kindness, and I know that as a student I am not alone in this.

I could be going into the lab to work on my homework rather than sitting at home writing an editorial for the student newspaper, watching TV, or doing laundry. I also know that from my experience as a teacher here at CSC that my students take advantage of my kindness.

In the syllabus, it states (or should state) that for every one hour of credit, we are to spend a minimum of 3 hours of work. I know from an instructor side, I spend at least that much per class. As a student, I am not quite there yet.

I am asking you, my fellow students, to step it up! Want to know WHY the syllabus is six pages long?  It is because of some person five semesters ago made a stink about what the word “day due” meant. Ugh. We, as students, pay too much money and expend too much mental energy to not at least TRY to end the semester strong.  I am off to the lab to…. Ooh, my show is on now. Gotta go.