The Best Classes Of My College Career Were The Lectures I Wasn't Forced To Take
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Best Classes Of My College Career Were The Lectures I Wasn't Forced To Take

Learning without worrying.

97
The Best Classes Of My College Career Were The Lectures I Wasn't Forced To Take
Wikimedia Commons

College is only slightly better than high school in that you actually have some choice as to what core curriculum classes you are going to take, but these are usually whittled down even more, based on semester and major of the student. Liberal Arts Majors are usually stuck in the easiest math classes possible, STEM majors are shoved in Calculus I, II, and III, and you only are able to take a single class per required section.

Last summer semester, I took environmental chemistry online to avoid having to go to an actual class and lab every week, but I did not know that in the fall, I’d be going to another environmental science class every week, this time without receiving credit.

This class was Environmental Biology, a class that my boyfriend had during a block of time that I had completely free and wanted to use to spend time with him. He sat in the front row, so we couldn’t even talk to each other, and I spent most of my time doing homework for other classes, but I learned so much.

When you put yourself into an environment where you are not forcing yourself to rapidly take notes or hang onto the professor’s every word, the class becomes more of a learning experience rather than a chore. I was lucky that this professor was especially good in her field, we learned about Irma’s cause and destruction directly before and after the hurricane, as well as why there just happen to be so many love bugs decorating all of our cars that September (spoiler alert: it’s because of all of the trees wrought down by Matthew), but even if she wasn’t such a quick-witted and passionate individual, I would have still gone to that class.

The atmosphere of a lecture hall is incredibly calming and work conducive, if only because you don’t want to be distracting the poor people behind by watching food videos on Facebook for the whole fifty minutes – which I must admit that I did a time or two. But it makes you want to put your nose to the grindstone and utilize this stretch of time to the best of your abilities because that’s what the lecturer is trying to do.

Actually, my days spent in Environmental Biology were so productive that now I pop into other lectures whenever I’m working on a difficult assignment, or just need a change of pace (my sister’s American History class on Fridays is one of my favorites because the professor yells at us about how privileged we are). Classes that you are not physically a part of giving you a chance to observe, to experience school as what it was originally supposed to be: learning without worrying about if the material will be on the test or not.

Also, if you like to be a smart aleck like me, it’s really rewarding when you answer a question for a class that you aren’t even technically signed up for. But everyone should try to utilize these lecture classes, to glean information while you can, because, in the end, that’s what we’re here to do, right? To learn.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38614
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23023
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949456
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

126744
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments