This is not an article bashing hard work, learning, or having to walk to class in a blizzard (although that last one is so awful). I very strongly dislike going to school most of the time. You know what is weird? I love being a student. I love to learn. So, why, you ask, do I hate school if I like to learn? There's a difference, unfortunately, between getting a grade and learning. (Disclaimers: This does not apply to all teachers, classes and majors. If you read anything, make sure to read the last four paragraphs.)

1. Easy Teachers vs. Good Teachers.

There's also a difference between easy and fun. The most memorable and enjoyable classes are those in which I am not only challenged, but intrigued. Teachers come in, prepared to get me engaged, and passionately mentor me in their area of expertise. They hand me papers, immerse me in the content with activities, expect great things out of me, etc.

These classes come once a year... if that.

The rest of my classes consist of daily reading off the PowerPoint, monotone lectures, and 50 minutes of copying the teachers notes on Word. Just because you have a lot to say, doesn't mean you came prepared. If it takes me 10 minutes to study for your quiz and get an A, or if I can spend the whole time doing homework for another class and still get a 90%... your class is wasting my time. If I don't need to invest my time, you aren't teaching me anything.

2. Regurgitation gets you certification.

The easiest way to get an A is to eat the professor's words and vomit them onto a test. In some classes, this is also the only way to get a good grade. Agree or fail. Think my way or fail. Question me? Fail. Ask a dumb question? Fail. Public classroom humiliation. You must know what they know because what they know is certain truth.

Because if someone has studied a subject for their whole lives, that must make them the ultimate source of truth and knowledge. (Side note: I don't think this sarcasm applies to majors like math... if they say 2+2=4, I don't think that's up for interpretation. Or nursing... if they say "insert criteria for surgery," thinking outside-the-box probably isn't appropriate.) My frustration lies with the sciences, since that's what I'm learning about.

I got into one of my better classes last semester. In this class, what we had to do was read a very scientific article (difficulty level: opening a pickle jar with no hands) and pick out the argument, strengths, weakness, and whether or not we agree with what the scientist is arguing and why. This task wasn't just hard because the reading was dense--it was hard because I had no idea how to think critically. You mean... I have to decide for (*gulp*) myself on whether or not I agree?

My very first try at deciphering whether or not I agreed was totally off, to put it kindly. I thought, "Hmm... well, why wouldn't my professor give us something he doesn't believe? This sounds pretty scientific... if I don't agree with him, I may not get a good grade." So, I said that I agreed with the article. The next class period, my professor ripped the article apart and was laughing while telling us how much he disagreed. I was shocked. I spent the next two articles trying to read my professor's mind and every time I was wrong. It wasn't until I started thinking for myself that I started to get the hang of truly thinking critically and not thinking "professor-ly."

In other words, it wasn't until my senior year of college that someone told me to think for myself and decipher whether or not I think what I am reading is true. Although in the class we still had to agree with the professor (he literally said all religious people are a waste of his time... I'm a religious person), that was the first time I had to apply my past knowledge to decide what I believe in.

3. Things that are not encouraged: Creativity, faith, and joy.

Going along with number two, there is no creativity in regurgitation. I, specifically, am a creative person. If you want me to learn effectively, I need to be active in my learning. I need the freedom to explore the topic and experiment with my ideas and words. However, my classes are only so long, semesters only so many weeks, and my teachers are only looking for you to pick the right answer (in which there is usually only one).

If I were to challenge the Theory of Evolution, I would lose my credibility as a scientist. They will even tell you, new ideas are always rejected until proven--even though science works to only disprove. My faith has yet to be disproved, but if I say that I believe in Jesus, my credibility is tainted in the scientific community. I don't want my professors to know I'm a Christian because I want them to take me seriously and not disregard my opinions.

4. My major is not "mine."

I have taken all my required classes but two. I can honestly tell you that, in registering, only 3 of my classes were founded in my area of interest (one of them not in my major). I can also tell you that I only enjoyed one of my foundations classes. My interest is forensic anthropology but right now, I'm in a required class in which I am learning about dirt too in-depth. I am in a cultural anthropology class that, for the first time in probably 2 years, I actually enjoy studying. My teacher is personally super weird and I love her and her material.

I can tell you that I dislike my major. I wish I had majored in art because at least then I would have some kind of voice. At least in my homework I would have personal interpretation and creativity. I love learning, but I'm learning about topics that don't interest me with teachers that don't care if they don't interest me.

5. Teachers have favorites.

I am a Division 1 athlete who loves learning, but I also love sitting in the last row with my hood up. I am a good student who doesn't like to participate in lecture. I am an extreme introvert and I'd like to write about my theology instead of think out loud in front of the class. I don't work that way.

So, because I don't speak and I sit in the back with sweatpants and a hood, I can feel the disapproval of the teacher. I can feel the assumption that I'm just an athlete here for sports and not an education. But teachers then seem surprised that I have a brain or that I ace my exams (or that I have hair or nice clothes).

6. I don't trust the system.

Most teachers expect their students to be certain kinds of learners. Eager students that are always raising their hands are the ones who want to learn. No. I want to learn, but I don't trust the education system to teach me. I don't trust the education system to make me feel encouraged to ask questions. I don't trust the education system to give me the whole story. I don't trust the education system to teach me all sides, unbiased. I don't trust the education system to let me explore an opinion, regardless of it's obvious flaws. I don't trust the education system to respect my opinion.

The education system, to me, is no different than a political race or a lot of churches focus' or even my Facebook friends' feeds. Everyone picks through the information and presents what is most fitting for their argument. Instead of truly educating and letting the student decide what they think is best, we are taught pieces and parts and are lead to believe that we are making good decisions based on opinions and partial truths.

Scientists who are one hundred and ten percent against religion will not even mention any scientific evidence that would lead to any notion of the existence of a God. Churches who are against abortion ignore the stories of women who've had good abortion experiences/outcomes. Someone sees an article about a celebrity being dead, shares it, and writes a sad goodbye post to later find out that he or she is alive and healthy. The only way to get a true education is by giving it to yourself. Be skeptical always. Know and respect all sides. Don't count our opinions out because we're young--God gives wisdom, not years. Listen well. Be patient. Learn from mistakes.

I love being a student, but I hate being in school. How about you? I'd like to hear your thoughts... have any additions? Different experiences? Comment below!