Were last years first years really that bad?

Hunchback

I wonder if anybody else has had a similar experience to me....
As a new first year this year, it seems to me that many, or at least half of my lecturers despair of students. In fairness, there are a couple of extremely pleasant ones, but even they seem generally exasperated.
I think most of us have seen the youtube videos of last years rag-week students, and to a degree I think that this behaviour explains the very thinly disguised contempt with which they seem to view the majority of students.
I sympathise with them to an extent, but acknowledge that the full spectrum of students exist, from the hard working and ambitious, to the slovenly and lazy.
It's just, has anyone else had the experience, or feeling, that the lecturers are constantly threatening you with various 'sticks' and instilling a pervading sense of fear in you, fear of failure ( which by all accounts was exceptionally high last year, according to one lecturer ) and that this is a reactionary measure, based on last year?
I'll be grand anyway (I hope ), but ya never know lol

Ficheall

What are you studying?

scholar007

CKonetheonlyone wrote: »

I wonder if anybody else has had a similar experience to me....
As a new first year this year, it seems to me that many, or at least half of my lecturers despair of students. In fairness, there are a couple of extremely pleasant ones, but even they seem generally exasperated.
I think most of us have seen the youtube videos of last years rag-week students, and to a degree I think that this behaviour explains the very thinly disguised contempt with which they seem to view the majority of students.
I sympathise with them to an extent, but acknowledge that the full spectrum of students exist, from the hard working and ambitious, to the slovenly and lazy.
It's just, has anyone else had the experience, or feeling, that the lecturers are constantly threatening you with various 'sticks' and instilling a pervading sense of fear in you, fear of failure ( which by all accounts was exceptionally high last year, according to one charmer ) and that this is a reactionary measure, based on last year?
I'll be grand anyway (I hope ), but ya never know lol

Well apparently there is no more rag week and I hear there is a new lady in there dealing with residents complaints about students whooping it up and from the jungle telegraph it seems she is taking no prisoners so there'll be quiet times ahead.

Hunchback

Ficheall wrote: »

What are you studying?

Law.

Ficheall

Well, then I've no idea. I wouldn't imagine your experience is any different to what all previous first years have gone through.

Hunchback

scholar007 wrote: »

Well apparently there is no more rag week and I hear there is a new lady in there dealing with residents complaints about students whooping it up and from the jungle telegraph it seems she is taking no prisoners so there'll be quiet times ahead.

I think in fairness that the whole college/city goes a little bit mental during what WAS rag-week.

okay, this is only tangentially related, and I'm probably showing my age here, but I think the government missed an excellent revenue generating oppurtunity by not slapping a couple of euro tax on off-licence bottles of wine, and also on beers etc.
1) cuz they're relatively cheap in this country already 2) cuz they're ultimately a luxury
3) if underagers couldn't afford as much of it that would be a further bonus......
but i digress....... anyone else feel what they think is residual contempt for last years students from their lecturers?

MrSnuffleupagus

I've never really seen any contempt from lecturers, maybe they're exasperated from teaching? I mean if I were studied up enough to get a Ph.D I'd get a bit tired of explaining the basics to students year after year..?

I wouldn't think it's a matter of lecturers not liking first years for their behaviour, since there are ar*ehole students in every year who cause trouble during RAG week

NuckyT

Maybe these lecturers are just miserable c*nts and it's nothing to do with students??

meeka

Generally speaking, I'd say first year classes are probably unpleasant to teach - at least in science anyway, for example the massive biology lectures where groups of friends would go together and proceed to have chats through the whole thing. I remember a maths lecturer getting particularly exasperated a few times too, as some people were really just taking the piss. I imagine it's the same in big 1st arts lectures, etc..

However in my experience the lecturers only seemed to get annoyed or exasperated when their lectures were disrupted, which is fair enough. If the class was quiet and attentive then everything would be grand and generally the lecturers were all relatively enthusiastic. I haven't come across a lecturer being an ass for literally no reason, though I'm sure they exist..

Ruire

CKonetheonlyone wrote: »

1) cuz they're relatively cheap in this country already

Relative to what? Most every other European country I know of is cheaper, bar maybe Sweden.

Hunchback

Apparently booze from an off licence or supermarket is now cheaper in the republic than the north, for wine in particular. this is according to an analysis done by tv3 on cross border shopping last week.
obv. wine on the continent and alcohol in general is cheaper, but seemingly we have supermarket alcohol cheaper than our nordie brethren.
guess i really should provide a link......mmm....

Reillyman

CKonetheonlyone wrote: »

3) if underagers couldn't afford as much of it that would be a further bonus......

Not exactly true, people would just spend less on other things, they might switch to cheaper alcohol etc, I know myself that I'd definitely cut back on other things if the price went up.

Skopzz

The behavior of drunken students would likely strengthen that emotional resolve for 'tougher' coursework, at least from the perspective of someone who does a lot of preparation to teach. Seeing people yawn and turn-up late for class would piss anyone off, even those who want to get on well in their studies.

The source of the problem is the generous student grants and excess money being thrown at students. The less money, the more responsible someone becomes.

bildo

So poor students are forced to work really hard while rich kids swan through by throwing money at the situation in the form of resits and repeats? Sounds like a great system

BhoscaCapall

Skopzz wrote: »

Seeing people yawn and turn-up late for class would piss anyone off, even those who want to get on well in their studies

I agree. Seeing people yawn is definitely one of the most rage inducing things I've ever had to experience.

Skopzz wrote: »

The source of the problem is the generous student grants and excess money being thrown at students. The less money, the more responsible someone becomes.

I agree, poverty stricken areas are always full of the most responsible people who don't touch drugs or get involved with criminal activity.

Reillyman

bildo wrote: »

So poor students are forced to work really hard while rich kids swan through by throwing money at the situation in the form of resits and repeats? Sounds like a great system

Most resits and repeats are capped at 40%, so if it is the case where people are "throwing money" at the situation they'll have a crappy degree anyway, so that's no advantage.