Failing a Course Is Not so Bad Afterall…
Failing sucks, most of the time. In TBS, it comes with advantages.
When I opened the Ajout website for the first time, I quickly discovered a new sense of freedom. A new realm of possibilities was ahead of me. The frustration I once felt when I failed Microeconomics turned into a new-found sense of happiness!
Many TBSers have dropped a course at some point. Maybe it was a bad professor, or an extended period of laziness, that led to this unfortunate event. As many have come to realize, there’s a pleasant side to it.
The biggest advantage of all is choosing when to study. No longer are you locked in a schedule made by some bureaucrat with no empathy for your needs. You can now decide which groups to attend courses with, the best professors, and the perfect time to suit you.
As someone who failed a class, I loved this luxury. Finally, something resembling the American system we were promised. I was able to free up 2 more days for myself thanks to clever manoeuvring of schedules. I now have more free time to spend on the more noble and productive pursuits of life.
Of course, in reality I ended up indulging myself in the simple pleasures more than I wish to admit. The fact is, having four days free a week makes you turn chilling into a fine art. Studying is starting to feel like an extra in my life, for better or worse. I may be studying the same hours as most, but I’m spending way less time in school.
If I manage my time in a sufficiently disciplined manner, this would be perfect. Unfortunately, we humans are easily tempted to procrastinate. It is my biggest flaw, and a vice I wish to eradicate from myself.
It’s funny. I got to acknowledge a certain wisdom in forcing students to sit in class for hours. Because no matter how boring or useless it may seem, making people spend a big part of their days in class makes them, consciously or unconsciously, invest more effort into it. No wonder attendance correlates with better grades.
There’s also the diversity of groups. As an Ajout student, I see different people every time I enter class. It’s certainly interesting to meet more people and catch up with friends you wouldn’t have otherwise seen.
I did lose a feeling of belonging, however. In my freshman year, I truly felt a bond with my classmates. You’d greet each other every morning, chitchat in class and laugh together!
But you can’t have that if you go to different groups every class. It’s a trade-off I suppose. Maybe you’re not that social, or don’t fit in your group. In which case this may seem more of a blessing.
Choosing your professor is an added bonus I suppose. Some people can’t stand certain professors, and I can’t blame them. We do have our fair share of boring (and crazy) professors.
Personally, it isn’t that important of a consideration for me. As I rarely get much added value from attending class anyway. I prefer doing the coursework on my own, as I understand and retain so much more information that way. That doesn’t mean that’s the best way of doing things, however.
It’s an interesting experience being an Ajout student.
I’m not planning on making it last longer than need be. Remember, failing a course tanks your GPA and can potentially force you to spend an extra year. No thank you.
