Saturday, September 12, 2009

Back-to-School Series: Graveyard Class

And the Glob sells it as a good idea!

"These Bunker Hill classes make late arrival mandatory; ‘Midnight Oil’ courses make room for more" by Tracy Jan, Globe Staff | September 11, 2009

.... Bunker Hill is rolling out its unusual schedule, dubbed “Burning the Midnight Oil,’’ this semester in response to burgeoning enrollment, offering two popular introductory courses, in psychology and college writing, from 11:45 p.m. until 2:30 a.m....

Now THAT certainly can NOT BE HEALTHY! I know because I BLOGGED THAT WAY for a while and AM STILL RECOVERING!

Many who sat beneath the fluorescent lights of O’Neill’s classroom had little choice; they had registered too late and the daytime courses were full.

And then it turns into a "we love it!" -- like shoe-shining a turd!

Some, though, were drawn by the late hour because it fit their work and child-care schedules. Others were simply night owls.

“I thought they were crazy at first when they offered me this class,’’ said Gregory Martin, a 21-year-old kitchen worker at a Roslindale rehabilitation center. “But I’m more of a night person, so I see this as an advantage. Otherwise I’d be home watching TV or playing video games.’’

Better KICK THAT HABIT and start HITTIN' the BOOKS, kiddo!

The recession has prompted more traditional-age students to flock to the low-cost two-year schools, and more older learners are seeking retraining because they’ve been laid off or their jobs are at risk, said Norma Kent, a spokeswoman for the American Association of Community Colleges....

To keep students alert, the college provided free Colombian coffee and a variety of teas. The spread also included chocolate chip cookies, granola bars, and hard candies. Some students arrived with Mountain Dew and Dunkin’ Donuts coffee.

Is this a newspaper or a sandwich board?

“I gotta make sure I don’t fall asleep on the first day,’’ said Rafael Sampaio, 20, who had downed three cups of coffee by 1 a.m., when O’Neill paused for a break.

I can't even do that! Chugging 'em, huh?

Edwin Diaz, who double-fisted tea and coffee (with three packs of sugar), said he would readily switch all his daytime courses at Bunker Hill to midnight if the college offered more options at that hour. The 20-year-old, who works as an airport baggage handler from 3 to 11:30 a.m., said he would get more sleep if he didn’t have to go to school during the day.

Okay, let's see if the Globe can talk to an unemployed (if there are any).

Although a few students stifled yawns, not a single one dozed off. They took notes and jotted down their homework assignments. Fifteen of the 19 students gamely discussed Freudian theory, shared personal stories about obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, and debated moral reasoning - the kind of lively late-night discussions one would imagine occurring in a dorm hallway.

Of course, the REPORTER only has to do this ONCE, right? Thus the rosy attitude.

Wait until these guys reach week six or so of this s***.

John Maguire, a 41-year-old waiter who is going back to school for a business degree, said it was easy for him to stay awake because of the engaging dialogue with his new classmates.

Another employed person.

No unemployed or laid-offs in the group, Glob? Did you not ask, or would they just not talk to you?

“It’s like going to a bar, but with more intelligent conversation because no one’s drunk,’’ said Maguire, who normally works until midnight. “It’s usually 3 a.m. by the time I unwind anyway.’’

Oddly, since one course is a writing class(?), I noticed that there were very few buts, stills, yets, etc, in the article, although there was an although and though, though. Maybe the editors and journalists down there got a couple pointers.

--more--"

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