Just need a short vent. . . I am attending college with accelerated courses (1 class a month) working on my Associates Degree in Vet Tech. (1 more year) It is quite expensive and I only get 12 class days a month to learn all the material. We are currently learning about atoms, protons, electrons, specific heat, etc. Everyone is struggling. (I should preface that I have been a nurse for over 18 years and I feel that I am fairly intelligent) I asked the instructor yesterday how all this relates to being a vet tech and she said "It doesn't" So now, I don't know if I am just overwhelmed or downright p**s that I am spending over $1200 a month to learn something that I will never have to use. In the vet tech program, you have to pass this class to move on to your core programs. I just don't think it is fair that a class that is not even related to the field of study can be the deciding factor whether you can move on to the core classes. There are 3 people in my class that this is the second time they are taking it. And if you don't pass this class, you have to wait until January to get back into the rotation for the core classes (all other pre requisites done and out of the way)

Whewwwww! Thanks for listening! I'm gonna try to put myself together and remain calm as I go to class this afternoon. Wish me luck!!!

Understand. Same thing in nursing school when I went.

Sad thing is, I didn't even have to take a chemistry class when I went to nursing school!!!! I think it is a little more related to nursing than to vet tech. . . .

Take a deep breath, calm down. It will be fine, you can do it. When I went to college ( I didn't even start until I was 40) I had to take a lot of classes that did not apply to my degree. I cried and struggled through algebra and earth science. I got through and so will you.

Sorry to hear your problem and understand your frustration. Has anyone asked why this is a compulsory unit? I know from experience that it's extra hard struggling with something that doesn't seem relevent.

I waited until I was 25 before going to nursing school and now I am 44 doing it all over again. I strongly believe that there is some important information in Bio Chemistry that we need to know, I just don't think finding the atomic mass and number of protons Carbon has is it!!!

It is a new program at the college I am attending and the Head of the Department got to create the curriculum. I'm not saying that Bio-Chemistry is not important or relative to my degree and career field, I just don't think that valuable time needs to be spent on figuring out specific heat. It needs to focus on more relevant topics, IMHO

I also returned to school late in life. Advanced academia has always required classes not relevent to your degree in order to earn it and it infuriated me to no end, especially the massive amounts of money having to spend on classes that have nothing to do with your chosen degree. Personally I always thought it was a huge racket and don't even get me started on text books and the curriculum covered in a semester. And the real kicker..., I have forgotten almost all of the material I don't use on a fairly regular basis. Venting helps. You will get through it and yes it is really hard, especially in an accelerated program like you are taking. Good luck.

Thanks! I've decided not to take my Uzi to class today!!! (Just kidding, please don't alert the authorities or the media)

I totally feel for you. I have been working in Information Technology for over 30 years - and had to take a class on Microsoft Office tools in order to pre-req on my Business degree.... OMG - they didn't even give us the option to test out. I would rather have done that - and pay the fee then sit through 8 weeks of lectures and online exercises designed for a beginner.

Unfortunately with any degree you will be required to take classes that have nothing to do with your major.
My DH is on his last semester for a degree in human resources and he has taken many classes that do not relate to his field of study but they are required. It makes no sense to me.

Sorry double post! :-)

I saw a program on a guy who did up chemistry/physics/allgebra advice for his niece so she could pass some highschool coures. It became so popular on the net that it now available to others on numerous subjects. He had just won a grant or accomadation from Pres. Obabama? Maybe you can find his program and get some help. I sure wish they had this stuff when I struggled through school.

I don't know if this will make you feel any better,,,but I know a lady that has a Dr. degree in Bio chemistry and she works in a lab for IAMS dog food....she said ...the chemical balance in the dog food was important for their health...oh well maybe you'll get a good laugh out of this anyway.....

Part of the reason for going to college is to stretch your brain. That is often the reason for requiring off the wall courses, according to some professors. Take that idea as it fits your thinking.

Remember that schools are businesses too! One woman in my class chose all of her electives to qualify for a second degree...eennt...the school said no. she needed ? additional classes. It made an additional year to finnish. Maybe you have to declare a double major to start your courses.

I think I am trailing off your original post. Sorry.
Wishing you the best with your classes.
Quilter68

Oh, I think Bio Chemistry is totally related to the field but not all aspects. That is my point is that we only have 12 days of class and we have spent 4 of them studying what we don't need to know and will never do anything with. I think those 5 days could have been spent more wisely on more pertinent information.

Well, I'm off to class. All firearms secured and I will be frisked as I go out the door!!!

You are intelligent; it is required so pass it (smile). The real goal is go become a Vet Tech and that is where you will need to keep focusing. I believe you will do great and be a wonderful Vet Tech.

Would you be able to provide more information about this? It would be kind of hard to find this program with just the details given here....

Here it is:

http://www.khanacademy.org/

This guy set up videos for friends and relatives, and then it took off. I've bookmarked it for my kids.

It's called taking your money. All colleges require courses not needed at all for your chosen career. Many are now rebelling over the course requirements that are expensive and not necessary. It's been in the news a lot lately about the courses many have to take just to meet the requirement for graduation that are just filler classes and surprise, the most expensive fees attached to these classes.

I minored in Chemistry, and was a teaching assistant (8 years ago but I do remember most of it!). If you need help PM me. :)

Why do we have to take unrelated courses to get to the core courses - I asked that question each of the three times I went back to college. This has been going on for a loooong time. I had to pick my battles, and decided to use my energy for my courses rather than beating my head against a brick wall. I do feel bad for you, though, about having to spend all that money each month, and I still wonder sometimes about why it continues. Is it just because it has 'always been that way'?

If this is a course in chemistry and you have to take further courses related to chemistry or biochemistry. Then knowing how atoms are put together and operate makes it easier to understand the more advanced information. I teach HS chemistry and my kids ask that same question while we are doing the basic stuff and I am drilling it into their heads. Then when we do the hard stuff, they see how it all fits together. I even have some who have called me from college and said that my class really helped them out.

Good luck and if you do need help, just let me know. But yes, the Kahn Academy is a good resource as well. If you have an ipod or such, there are apps for his work.

Colleges originally were established to produce a well-rounded, classically educated, thinking person. Now that they have become trade schools they still retain vestiges of that ancient tradition.........no matter how frustrating to the student. If you later on want to try for an advanced degree you might find your 'grrrrrr' course a pre-requisite.

Someone else finally said it, it is all about the money!!!
Everyone wants everybody's money. Doesn't seem to me that it is going to do much but, separate you from your money. Granddaughter is trying to get through college paying her own way and she gets bad advice and worse proffessors.

I agree took a lot of class's I didn't need in college. !

I know exactly how you feel. I am in Funeral Service school. Why do I have to learn the signs and symptoms of many diseases? I can understand know what is caused by which microorganism to protect yourself in case I see it in a death certificate, but come on...once the customers are on my table they have no more signs and symptoms. Leave alone all the pathology I have to learn...and anatomy. They could narrow it down to what matters, but trying to teach us how many bones on the ankle is a little unnecessary. Then when it comes to what really matters, they just touch it. We took 2 hours of class on caskets, when we should know all about them.

A year goes by quick. Good luck to you.

Isn't this the difference between acquiring an education and receiving vocational training? Decades ago you would have been required to know more than one foreign language and several social studies or sciences to complete the education section of your study before embarking on the vocational part of your study. I am surprised that a tech degree has more than training, usually that is reserved for 4 or more years of college.

Understand your flustrations.

That is exactly why we are complaining. I am in a one year program and there is no emphasis on what I will need once I am out there. They keep saying that we will learn to do embalming and such when we are working. Why pay $15K for school then? Just to gt a license.

What vet tech program are you doing, that is expensive. I didn't learn about atoms in my vet tech program. I spent about 1600 total on my 2 year program in california, 15 k sounds way too expensive

I understand your frustration! My DSIL has gone back to school to be an R.N. and is running into the same thing!! :thumbdown: :x

I have seen the same frustration with both of my daughters when they were in college. In fact, both are back in school again pursuing additional degrees and have voiced the same complaint as you. I don't understand the reasoning; I have some ideas, though, but probably should keep those evil thoughts to myself.

I would definitely consider it to be a well rounded education if these was material that you could remember the day after the test. I do, because I am a scientist and know it all well, but I have seem my class go from 65 to 32 in 3 months and still predicted to shrink some more soon. Is hard for many to retain it all, specially when is material that you will never again use. I am a strong advocate of education, but I also believe in being practical.

It is to make more money by selling more classes. Greed is everywhere.

Get a tutor. You can't be great at every subject. First time I got a tutor was in grad school and I kicked myself for struggling thru some classes in undergrad without asking for help!!

completely understand - my daughter is in a program on Long Island and if you fail a course a second time, you are DONE...OUT of the program. It IS very difficult and there are professors who, I believe, set them up to fail by telling them to study, say, Chapters 5, 6 and 7 and then give them a test on Chapters 8, 9 and 10!! Very frustrating!!!

Don't fell bad. My daughter was getting her Masters in Psychology and had to learn how rats think. Now I know some people fit that category, but all of her lab work was with rats. Go figure. Hang in there, it will be over soon.
All of us that have degrees had to take what I considered, "throw away" classes.
D in TX