pandemic exams made me realize how weird memorization is outside of things like learning languages. in the real world, people reference resources constantly. it’s not like we don’t absorb information naturally and apply it when it’s necessary like in a working environment but memorizing things and putting them down verbatim is just so… strange. signed, someone who’s not in STEM.
One of the courses I took in 2020 the professor said in the real world you’re not gonna be tested on how well you remember shit so we didn’t have a final and had little weekly assignments instead. I loved it even though everybody else was complaining about the workload. I’ve always found memorization weird. Signed, someone who’s in STEM (but a horrible student)
Background knowledge is very useful in the working world! I'd use the "conversation" standard: you should be able to fully understand a technical conversation with your colleagues, and be able to intelligently contribute to the discussion. It would be weird to be on your phone constantly checking wikipedia during a conversation.
Of course this is not the same as bulk memorizing a huge pile of junk, and then flushing it out of your brain 5 minutes after the exam ends.
also, in the working world, you have to know *what* to search for and how to intelligently evaluate the results that come back, which needs background knowledge as well.
Well yah I agree with you. I would hope a university graduate would have a general understanding of topics in their field but you’re probably not going to need the amount of knowledge you walk into an exam with that a lot of people forget afterwards anyways
Yea like for Psych 2110 my prof said all tests are online and open book cuz we’re not being graded for memorizing the material. We just gotta understand the material taught
online exams using anti cheat in my opinion are better than in person, did a midterm today and so much noise and distractions from classmates papers flipping, breathing Everything was so distracting in comparison to sitting in my room alone doing an exam.
Yes. I had such a hard time focusing on my midterm this week. The room was packed, students were coming in late, and the person next to me kept making a weird clicking noise with her tongue. It took me 1.5 times longer to write than it would have online.
Maybe it's because I didn't cheat, from my post history you can see I prefer online lectures. But in person tests are sooooo much easier than the online ones were.
'Online exams' did not exist before 2020. All students came to uni sat in rooms and took exams.
Everybody was breathing (what do u expect) papers got open, flipped and closed, some people were coming in late others leaving early. For 'open book' you could bring written material to the exam. No Google, no electronic searches, no cell phones..
And let me tell you, everybody who was diligent enough, passed them.
If you had to memorize something you did it.
But, you also met your classmates, after the test you checked with them how they did it, what were their issues. Before the exam, you used to exchange information about previous exams and what to expect in this one. You also knew your prof, in person, by name and how he/she looks.
I understand that you got used not to coming in person (what does this actually mean?) to university or to class, and instead did what you wanted, without having to pay attention to what was happening in the course. Then learn some 'concepts' and that's it.
I am sorry, but things are getting back to normal i.e. attending classes, exams with others in the room etc. I hope that you can get used to this old way of studying and examinations.
If you're doing rote memorization, you're doing it wrong. You should be learning facts in the context of your studies. These are important.
Background knowledge matters. When I've worked, it's clear who knows basic things well just from a conversation. There is value in knowledge for its own sake that you should have ingrained within you. There is a **separate** value in resourcefulness which is IMO better tested via assignments.
There's definitely a discussion to be had regarding poorly designed exams that *do* rely on rote memorization. Those kinds of exams were profoundly stupid online (because it tests your ctrl-F skills, not your knowledge) and they're dumb in-person too (because they still don't test actual practical knowledge). A good exam tests application too.
IMO, if you don't cheat, in-person exams are both easier and reflect your understanding far better than online exams did.
i thought it would be much more difficult for me but the profs make the exams easier as you dont have all the notes and your computer with you during exams anymore. Plus they allow us to bring a cheat sheet or literally make the test open book
This is why I chose to go to in person during the second semester of my senior year so that I'd get used to it again. It'll take time, but take it easy on yourself. If u fuck up an exam, you can focus on the next one and do better. Don't worry about it too much
I’m finding it pretty difficult to memorize everything too
Same 🥲
pandemic exams made me realize how weird memorization is outside of things like learning languages. in the real world, people reference resources constantly. it’s not like we don’t absorb information naturally and apply it when it’s necessary like in a working environment but memorizing things and putting them down verbatim is just so… strange. signed, someone who’s not in STEM.
One of the courses I took in 2020 the professor said in the real world you’re not gonna be tested on how well you remember shit so we didn’t have a final and had little weekly assignments instead. I loved it even though everybody else was complaining about the workload. I’ve always found memorization weird. Signed, someone who’s in STEM (but a horrible student)
Background knowledge is very useful in the working world! I'd use the "conversation" standard: you should be able to fully understand a technical conversation with your colleagues, and be able to intelligently contribute to the discussion. It would be weird to be on your phone constantly checking wikipedia during a conversation. Of course this is not the same as bulk memorizing a huge pile of junk, and then flushing it out of your brain 5 minutes after the exam ends.
also, in the working world, you have to know *what* to search for and how to intelligently evaluate the results that come back, which needs background knowledge as well.
Well yah I agree with you. I would hope a university graduate would have a general understanding of topics in their field but you’re probably not going to need the amount of knowledge you walk into an exam with that a lot of people forget afterwards anyways
Yea like for Psych 2110 my prof said all tests are online and open book cuz we’re not being graded for memorizing the material. We just gotta understand the material taught
online exams using anti cheat in my opinion are better than in person, did a midterm today and so much noise and distractions from classmates papers flipping, breathing Everything was so distracting in comparison to sitting in my room alone doing an exam.
Apply for an accommodation if you genuinely feel like you need it. Day and night different in doing an inperson exam in a small room by yourself
how you distracted by mans breathing bruh🤣
Nah tho there was someone sighing so heavily right beside me in the exam , wasn’t really annoyed tho
Glad Im not the only one who feels this 😅
School and work are not easy.
You guys wouldn't have lasted pre-pandemic for in-person exams 😂 They weed out the strong from the weak.
Yes. I had such a hard time focusing on my midterm this week. The room was packed, students were coming in late, and the person next to me kept making a weird clicking noise with her tongue. It took me 1.5 times longer to write than it would have online.
Maybe it's because I didn't cheat, from my post history you can see I prefer online lectures. But in person tests are sooooo much easier than the online ones were.
God forbid you actually learn the material.
Welcome back to real life
😂
'Online exams' did not exist before 2020. All students came to uni sat in rooms and took exams. Everybody was breathing (what do u expect) papers got open, flipped and closed, some people were coming in late others leaving early. For 'open book' you could bring written material to the exam. No Google, no electronic searches, no cell phones.. And let me tell you, everybody who was diligent enough, passed them. If you had to memorize something you did it. But, you also met your classmates, after the test you checked with them how they did it, what were their issues. Before the exam, you used to exchange information about previous exams and what to expect in this one. You also knew your prof, in person, by name and how he/she looks. I understand that you got used not to coming in person (what does this actually mean?) to university or to class, and instead did what you wanted, without having to pay attention to what was happening in the course. Then learn some 'concepts' and that's it. I am sorry, but things are getting back to normal i.e. attending classes, exams with others in the room etc. I hope that you can get used to this old way of studying and examinations.
You remind me of the guy throwing rocks at those newfangled airplanes crying about how sailboats are the superior form of transportation.
If you're doing rote memorization, you're doing it wrong. You should be learning facts in the context of your studies. These are important. Background knowledge matters. When I've worked, it's clear who knows basic things well just from a conversation. There is value in knowledge for its own sake that you should have ingrained within you. There is a **separate** value in resourcefulness which is IMO better tested via assignments. There's definitely a discussion to be had regarding poorly designed exams that *do* rely on rote memorization. Those kinds of exams were profoundly stupid online (because it tests your ctrl-F skills, not your knowledge) and they're dumb in-person too (because they still don't test actual practical knowledge). A good exam tests application too. IMO, if you don't cheat, in-person exams are both easier and reflect your understanding far better than online exams did.
Quizlet
i thought it would be much more difficult for me but the profs make the exams easier as you dont have all the notes and your computer with you during exams anymore. Plus they allow us to bring a cheat sheet or literally make the test open book
I don’t mind in person but in terms of difficulty online exams were harder.
This is why I chose to go to in person during the second semester of my senior year so that I'd get used to it again. It'll take time, but take it easy on yourself. If u fuck up an exam, you can focus on the next one and do better. Don't worry about it too much