After watching the video clip from A Race to Nowhere, I began to think about how this stress in school relates to happiness. This got me thinking about Finland, and how recently they were polled the happiest country in the world. I wondered what type of schooling they had in Finland, and how the schooling may directly lead to their happiness. Interestingly enough, Mr. O'Connor soon added that Finish school were taught by team teachers. From an article I read (http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/world/Finland.html) I learned that the school day is shorter, and there are more frequent breaks in the day. I believe relaxation and enjoyment in free time leads not only to happier people, but more successful students. As Mr. O'Connor said in class, New Trier has the fewest number of school days, and highest average on test scores. Although there must be some school, school should not force young adults to spend the majority of their time studying or in school, but rather enjoying life, and finding true passions.
We also discussed in class how grades in many districts could be checked online, and Mr. Bolos compared checking grades online to checking the stock market. High school students care way to much about their human stock, how colleges look at them. Recently, I became a member on a student board for an organization called Haven, which helps teenagers deal with problems without having to confront their parents. At the first meeting the various positions, president, vice president, etc. were announced. My peers told me they only cared about what their resume would look like, they wouldn't put in the full effort their position deserved. This is because their motivation is to build their resume for application to college, not to find a passion, or help others, or give back to the community. We are expected to volunteer and give our time to service, so this just creates another requirement that has to be fulfilled in order to be competitive on our college applications.
Trevor-
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I love the idea of "Human Stock." I took a business class last year and learned a little about the stock market, and how companies going from public to private is a HUGE ordeal. The company must buy back the majority of shares in order to go private again, and that reminds me of us students. We are "on the market" for colleges, and thus our decisions reflect what the colleges (share holders) are looking for. We don't make decisions based on interest, but what is most "profitable." If we were to go private and make our own decisions, we would have to go way against the grain. Not going to college is a risk, as it taking sole responsibility for a company (going private). It is a question of character, I guess, and goals. Right now, I think it's safe to say most of us are public companies.
Trevor, Nice job on your blog overall. You have covered a nice range of topics this quarter. Your meta-post was especially thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteThis post has great potential. I love the way our class discussion led you to another text (about Finnish education). It might have been helpful to quote from that source to anchor your contrast you draw between that system and ours. The Haven example is also fascinating (particularly since Haven offers services to families in distress, who must see the relative lack of importance in resume building, right?) Have you discussed your observation(s) with any of the staff there?