I was reading an article today on MSNBC that reported that these hard times are having more adverse effects besides the more obvious ones like higher tuition. Schools, many of which that are within the sharenotes.com network, are facing cuts that are crippling the schools ability to efficiently guide students to matriculation. Teachers, particularly new and part time ones are being cut and the trickle down effect is that there are less classes and less room IN classes to sufficiently service the students needs.
Kids are being forced to crash (you all know what that means) classes at a much higher extent and many of us are not making it into those classes we need. You miss your classes, particularly when you are those are the only classes you need, and that means a delay to graduation.
Now I have been lucky, I haven’t had to crash a class all that often, and if a class is full, there’s usually an alternative I can take. But can see how that would be a problem for many students. And a cause of major frustration and stress. If you are forced to take classes you don’t really need, well you still have to pay for them. And if you don’t take enough classes, well you can lose your financial aid altogether. Plus many of us just want to be DONE and get out into the job market, even if it’s a bad one, just so we can start making some money vs borrowing it.
The bad news is simple though, tuition is up, schools have more students than ever, less teachers and even with larger classes (read: higher student : teacher ratio) not enough space. Some students simply cannot afford to delay their graduation. Perhaps opting to leave school all together rather than paying another year of tuition they simply cannot afford.
It’s scary to realize all the ways in which this tough economy can domino down the line to effect every facet of American life. So what’s happening in your school? Are you feeling the pinch, and watching your classes swell? Are you standing out side of a class you really need, figuring out the best way to beg the professor to let you in? Like I mentioned before I’ve been lucky, but thre are many students at many schools on sharenotes.com and I know that some of you are suffering the ill effects of budget cuts and high tuition.
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A Biology class I’m taking in a newly refurbished lab has only 20 seats. After the first week there were 23 students in the class, and I think it just went up to 24 because the professor is perhaps a little too understanding. Now everyone has to be waiting at the door 20 minutes early (even before the professor is there) if they want a seat and not be stuck awkwardly standing in the back of the room for a three hour class.
Knowing what I need to take though and making sure to sign up on time means I don’t have to crash in asking to be written into the roster on the first day. I think a little preparation goes a long way in this situation. Though I do have friend that tried to sign up the first day classes were available and still missed out (mostly gen ed’s though, w/ like a 300 student cap too).
So far, I haven’t been unable to get into a class. No one I know has had that particular problem either. My university is usually very lenient about letting people in over the limit. However, what has happened is an increase in the student:teacher ratio. Half of my classes overfilled the classrooms they were assigned to. As a result, everyone rushes to get a seat in those classes. Otherwise, you’re stuck standing. It’s a very strange feeling walking into class 10 minutes beforehand and noticing that nearly every seat is already taken.
Preston / Jacob,
thanks for sharing your insight! I totally agree with you Preston, I think that a little preparation goes an awful long way. Although I know that people who try their hardest to get classes do miss out quite often. Its a fine line that we all have to walk. I think that both of you hit it on the head when you pointed out that we all lose when we have to suffer from a higher student to teacher ratio. Our educations suffer because of it and a teachers ability to effectively do their jobs is lessened with each extra student they admit.
i agree with tenaciousb…preparation does go a long way. i have several classes that i’m taking right now that are over capacity and i have to get there at least 20 minutes early, just to ensure that i get a good seat. when you’re at a school like ohio state where there are 55,000+ students, you really feel the brunt of the high student:teacher ratio too…unfortunately, the professors don’t really care and aren’t very helpful because, as one of my professors so eloquently put it, “you’re tuition is paid and so is my salary.” i’ve come to find that the professors don’t care how many people are in the class – its only the students that care, and we’re the ones that suffer the most. :-\
Kayleigh, The biggest problem of it all is that we as students are paying tuition which in essence makes us customers buying a product (education). However when the quality of that product goes down (I.E. higher teacher : student ratio) we still have to pay full price for it! Our educations suffer, but the prices stay the same or go up!
I have seen several classes (mostly general ed) filled to overflowing at my school. Professors have had to take a firm stance with students who beg them to add them in, even though I can tell they hate to have to do so. Weirdly enough, there are also other classes where the numbers are so low that the part-time instructors are being paid per student enrolled. One example is my manual drafting class. Passing it is required to move on and learn AutoCAD, even though drafting is very rarely (if ever) done by hand in the field anymore. My professor has looked stressed as the numbers have dropped to eight or nine, and I don’t blame him. I just hope the program isn’t cut before I graduate in two to three years. We’ll see…