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University course funding

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lepetitfromage:
Wow, snalin that is amazing!

May- that sounds wonderful but scary at the same time. If we ever want closer interaction with our professors, we have to set up a meeting to come see them during office hours (which is about 1-2 hours a week, so you better hope no one needs them the same time you do) orrr you have to come early to class or stay late and hope that they're available. And that you don't have to run from one class to another.

I think the smallest classes I've ever been in were about 15 people- my six hour studio classes. The largest was probably a Survey of Design class that had about 100 first year students in it. I think there are benefits to each- more minds (therefore more opinions and ideas) in the larger setting but more attention in smaller ones. It blows my mind how independent that system is. Our courses typically meet for 3 hours each week- one 3 hour session or 2 ninety minute sessions. Once semester I took 21 credits and it seemed like I was in class every waking moment. There were days I'd spend 9-12 hours on campus. I'd have 1 class from 9am-12pm, then another from 12:15-3:30, then a 2 hour break, followed by another class from 6-9.

How long does each of your supervisions last? I feel like I'd forget so much if I had to go 2 weeks between meetings.

Barmymoo:
Each supervision is an hour long, in theory (sometimes they run over but they aren't supposed to) but really, a supervision is just a way for your supervisor to confirm that you're studying and on the right track. That's why it's called supervision, rather than tutorial, I think (although obviously the Oxford system is similar and named different so maybe I'm talking rubbish) - we are meant to be independent and working all the time. I aim for five hours of reading a day, although at the moment I'm not managing it because I'm busy, exhausted and stressed, and I know I'm considered a slacker by the other students. Most people probably work about 50-60 hours a week, including around 10 hours of lectures.

Right now, I would give quite a lot to be at a different university.

lepetitfromage:
 :-( I know the feeling all too well- when it rains, it pours. I'm sorry you're having a tough time....and seriously? Screw those other students. It easy to keep your nose in a book if you have no where else for it to be.

schimmy:
It's weird how different the work ethic can be uni-to-uni and degree-to-degree, May. My girlfriend works for as long as you say most students work at your uni, but she far and away does mountains more work than anybody else I know. Most people I know would consider 5 hours of reading a day to be far more than they're used to, but then I suppose my course is a bit of an exception - we're mostly judged by our ability to criticise primary philosophical sources, so most of the hard work is sitting there and picking holes in the arguments of people far smarter than you.

Barmymoo:
I have been going through a blip (which I guess is actually not a blip since it's more common for me than the non-blip) of getting more like two or three hours of reading done a day, but that is definitely not usual. It's mental here, everyone is totally obsessed with racking up library time. And yet they never seem to do any actual thinking, no one wants to discuss philosphy or jurisprudence with me, they think I'm crazy for disagreeing with the lecturers and forming my own ideas. Drives me mad.

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