Rose 5
As I head for a coffee break, I fall into step with one of my former first years.
He grins cheerfully, "good morning Ms Adilman."
"Good morning Ty, how's it going?"
"I meant to thank you for being so kind. Saw you posted up the marks yesterday."
"Kindness has nothing to do with it, it's marked on a curve. You performed in the top third of the class, you earned the mark."
"Good lord, if I'm in the top third, is that sad or what?"
We both laugh.
"Ms Adilman, now that's it's over, can we be honest with each other? Don't you get sick of dealing with all that bad attitude? Coping with all those people who are forced to take that first year half class?"
"Certainly, that's why I continue my own education. Hopefully in future, I'm dealing with upper years who want to be there in lit."
"Now I'm gonna ask you, just for the sake of my own peace of mind. Can you tell me even one thing I got outa that that is worthwhile? And don't cop out and say it's always been a requirement."
"Ok Ty, now let's fast forward to the future, say a dozen years after you graduate. Two possible scenarios, failure and success. Let's say your career goes nowhere, a series of McJobs and you can't make a real dent in that student loan. You won't hate me. You probably won't remember my name or face. You'll hate the whole economy for this business of having to be overqualified for everything, too many degrees chasing too few real jobs.
"But let's say things work well. You and your wife are on your way, in your nice car, to a corporate party, where you'll rub shoulders with those a bit older and more powerful. The topic drifts to literature. All you can remember is say four, five, six one liners from my class. But you pace them out wisely, sound as intelligent as anyone else. After all, that's probably all they remember too. Two days later, you run into me on the street. You'll recognize me, thank me for it. It may not be much, but better than sounding like an ignoramus."
We both laugh.
He grins wickedly, "in that case, I'm sure glad I stayed awake throughout the classes."
He grins cheerfully, "good morning Ms Adilman."
"Good morning Ty, how's it going?"
"I meant to thank you for being so kind. Saw you posted up the marks yesterday."
"Kindness has nothing to do with it, it's marked on a curve. You performed in the top third of the class, you earned the mark."
"Good lord, if I'm in the top third, is that sad or what?"
We both laugh.
"Ms Adilman, now that's it's over, can we be honest with each other? Don't you get sick of dealing with all that bad attitude? Coping with all those people who are forced to take that first year half class?"
"Certainly, that's why I continue my own education. Hopefully in future, I'm dealing with upper years who want to be there in lit."
"Now I'm gonna ask you, just for the sake of my own peace of mind. Can you tell me even one thing I got outa that that is worthwhile? And don't cop out and say it's always been a requirement."
"Ok Ty, now let's fast forward to the future, say a dozen years after you graduate. Two possible scenarios, failure and success. Let's say your career goes nowhere, a series of McJobs and you can't make a real dent in that student loan. You won't hate me. You probably won't remember my name or face. You'll hate the whole economy for this business of having to be overqualified for everything, too many degrees chasing too few real jobs.
"But let's say things work well. You and your wife are on your way, in your nice car, to a corporate party, where you'll rub shoulders with those a bit older and more powerful. The topic drifts to literature. All you can remember is say four, five, six one liners from my class. But you pace them out wisely, sound as intelligent as anyone else. After all, that's probably all they remember too. Two days later, you run into me on the street. You'll recognize me, thank me for it. It may not be much, but better than sounding like an ignoramus."
We both laugh.
He grins wickedly, "in that case, I'm sure glad I stayed awake throughout the classes."
posted by afghangirlscifi @ 8:03 AM
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