Are some Degree's overrated?

MisterEpicurus · 08-03-2012 09:15PM #1

In my view, the 3rd level system of education is a farce. Not only the methods by which you gain entry, but also the actual education process itself. For example, it appears most courses require you to attain 40% to pass, when it should be at least 50%. It almost appears that a lot of courses are dedicated to throwing the information out there and then basically inform students to recite it from memory. While this is appropriate for factual information, it seems totally useless to actually applying what you learn in a real life environment. For example, most students I know would be satisfied with 'scraping 40%' and then return to the bars and clubs to celebrate.

I think University should be about teaching people not only what to think, but how to think and apply what is learned. The process seems lazy and the people lazier. All too often you find idiots with degrees wondering how on Earth someone as dumb as that could attain one. Of course, a lot of courses are more challenging and actually test the student. But too many courses and students just do it for the sake of it and will probably forget the vast majority of stuff anyway.

I remember one particular student whom I was living with who was doing a Masters in Music. For literally the whole year he did the minimum, which usually entailed one to two hours over two weeks. He admitted it was easy and anyone could pass it even without an undergraduate degree in the area. So at the end of the process, he managed to get a 1st.

I'm also in education but try to get more out of it than simply "scraping a pass". It seems a waste of time and you're left with a student with letters but could never form a coherent and logical sentence.

Am I the only one who appears to think that degrees these days are overrated?????

Sonnenblumen · 08-03-2012 09:17PM

The 3 Degrees are hot.

Biggins · 08-03-2012 09:18PM

I think zero degree's is pretty cool!

ejmaztec · 08-03-2012 09:18PM

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

The 3 Degrees are were hot a long long long time ago.

fyp

MisterEpicurus · 08-03-2012 09:20PM

Biggins wrote: »

I think zero degree's is pretty cool!

I should have expected this :rolleyes:

token101 · 08-03-2012 09:21PM

Most degrees are overrated ffs!!!

ZombieBride · 08-03-2012 09:23PM

Some are... Some aren't.

Tea_Bag · 08-03-2012 09:23PM

3K is the average temperature of the universe. true story.

RachaelVO · 08-03-2012 09:23PM

Well, a "Media" degree seems like a total waste of fees!

Steven81 · 08-03-2012 09:24PM

i agree with you, sone people from my class never turned up all year, came in last few weeks, got notes , studied like mad and got good grades.

Should bring in some continuous assessments.

As for the 40% you havent even started compensating if you are about the 35% mark.

dvpower · 08-03-2012 09:25PM

token101 wrote: »

Most degrees are overrated ffs!!!

...to some degree.

Biggins · 08-03-2012 09:27PM

MisterEpicurus wrote: »

I should have expected this :rolleyes:

Welcome to After Hours.
We hope you enjoy your stay.

Chuck Stone · 08-03-2012 09:28PM

'Hobby degrees'.

Creating work for academics and extracting money from students and the tax payer.

Sindri · 08-03-2012 09:28PM

Biggins wrote: »

I think zero degree's is pretty cool!

How acute of you.

:rolleyes:

Disclaimer:Zero degrees may not actually be an (acute) angle.

Flojo · 08-03-2012 09:30PM

RachaelVO wrote: »

Well, a "Media Arts" degree seems like a total waste of fees!

Fixed.

Biggins · 08-03-2012 09:31PM

Sindri wrote: »

How acute of you. :rolleyes:

Disclaimer:Zero degrees may not actually be an (acute) angle.

...But it might have a low temperature!

My mate Kelvin has a poor degree!

Toby Take a Bow · 08-03-2012 09:32PM

Depends on the degree. And on what you think the point of education is. Also, 'Scraping a pass' is grand enough, but some Masters and Phds will require you to get at least a 2:1 in your undergrad. Regarding the guy who got the Masters in music, I went to school with a lot of people who claimed to have done no work, but came out with 550-600 points. Very suspicious.

Sindri · 08-03-2012 09:42PM

Biggins wrote: »

...But it might have a low temperature!

My mate Kelvin has a poor degree!

I know what you meant, I was just making an attempt at a pretty poor pun since you stole my first one.

bonzodog2 · 08-03-2012 09:43PM

Biggins wrote: »

...But it might have a low temperature!

My mate Kelvin has a poor degree!

The Kelvin temperature scale is measured in Kelvins, not degrees Kelvin.
Just sayin', like.

ejmaztec · 08-03-2012 09:46PM

A friend of mine unsuccessfuly attempted 273 degrees and didn't get any of them. He's an absolute zero.:(

Sindri · 08-03-2012 09:47PM

bonzodog2 wrote: »

The Kelvin temperature scale is measured in Kelvins, not degrees Kelvin.
Just sayin', like.

Pedantry is measured by the pointlessness of an objection at a joke.

Just sayin', like.

mconigol · 08-03-2012 09:50PM

It depends what your goals are. If you want to work and get a job to earn money then do a traditional degree like engineering. You can get any job with a good base degree I reckon.

If you want to study to further your knowledge is a specific area then do whatever interests you the most.

The problem today is that universities are factories for producing graduates for the private sector. Whereas they should really be centres for education and grades shouldn't really come into it.

Finneen · 08-03-2012 09:53PM

We need degrees for Setting up a business as the other ones are mainly for emigrating!

Richard Hillman · 08-03-2012 09:53PM

RachaelVO wrote: »

Well, a "Media" degree seems like a total waste of fees!

In Ireland especially, considering most media jobs are jobs for the boys.

cloptrop · 08-03-2012 09:54PM

Yes degreasers are overerated , a good cloth and some elbow effort will clear a bit of grease you dont need any fancy products , tell Barry Scott to **** off.

Brain Stroking · 08-03-2012 10:11PM

MisterEpicurus wrote: »

In my view, the 3rd level system of education is a farce. Not only the methods by which you gain entry, but also the actual education process itself. For example, it appears most courses require you to attain 40% to pass, when it should be at least 50%. It almost appears that a lot of courses are dedicated to throwing the information out there and then basically inform students to recite it from memory. While this is appropriate for factual information, it seems totally useless to actually applying what you learn in a real life environment. For example, most students I know would be satisfied with 'scraping 40%' and then return to the bars and clubs to celebrate.

I think University should be about teaching people not only what to think, but how to think and apply what is learned. The process seems lazy and the people lazier. All too often you find idiots with degrees wondering how on Earth someone as dumb as that could attain one. Of course, a lot of courses are more challenging and actually test the student. But too many courses and students just do it for the sake of it and will probably forget the vast majority of stuff anyway.

I remember one particular student whom I was living with who was doing a Masters in Music. For literally the whole year he did the minimum, which usually entailed one to two hours over two weeks. He admitted it was easy and anyone could pass it even without an undergraduate degree in the area. So at the end of the process, he managed to get a 1st.

I'm also in education but try to get more out of it than simply "scraping a pass". It seems a waste of time and you're left with a student with letters but could never form a coherent and logical sentence.

Am I the only one who appears to think that degrees these days are overrated?????

I have two degrees. And yes you are right. Didnt prepare me one bit for the workplace.

Spunge · 08-03-2012 10:19PM

Handy for getting you an interview. The rest is up to you.

lividduck · 08-03-2012 10:22PM

It depends, one supposes, on whether it has been conferred by a College of some repute , TCD for example , or a factory, UCD for example!:D

usernamegoes · 08-03-2012 10:23PM

It needs to be said that while 40 per cent is a passing grade, it is marked out of 70-75 range not out of 100. A bit of an anachronism, but accounts for this.

TPD · 08-03-2012 10:24PM

A lot of degrees seem to be done as an academic exercise rather than as a means to an end - getting a job. I think if the student grant was only to be given to students entering courses which the job market demands, we'd see a lot less useless degrees being attained.

SeaFields · 08-03-2012 10:27PM

TPD wrote: »

I think if the student grant was only to be given to students entering courses which the job market demands, we'd see a lot less useless degrees being attained.

Problem is the jobs market is a dynamic thing. What is in demand now may not be in demand by the time you finish your degree or masters.

Are some Degree's overrated?

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