Powers of Persuasion

I love it when things go my way! Well, who doesn't, really?

I called the student services centre at the college today, to speak with a student advisor. I had, of course, previously spoken to one, and she set me up for the math test I had to take.

The results of said math test were, well, for lack of a better word, ambiguous. She said that I had done fairly well on the test, well within the expected range. Sounds good right? Apparently, after most people have been out of school for a while, they have to repeat whatever level of math they had taken last. So in all reality, the news was not so good.

They wanted me to take:

Grade 11 Math - Easy

Grade 11 Math - Hard

Grade 12 Math - Hard

So I said, if I have to do 3 bloody math courses, I'm going to do:

Grade 10 Math - Hard

Grade 11 Math - Hard

Grade 12 Math - Hard

Not that I really wanted to redo any of it. The courses I really need are Math 11 & 12 Hard, and Chemistry 11 & 12. That's it. That's all. Why should I have to take 3 math courses? I took Math 10 Hard in grade 10. I took Math 11 easy in grade 12. Both of which are the prerequisites of Math 11 Hard. Why should I have to do any of it over? I already did it.

So like I said, I called and talked to a student advisor this morning. A different one than previously (apparently they both suffer from the stupidity gene...)

Me: "Hi, I came in and took the CAT testing, and I spoke to a student advisor, and I'm really not happy with the plan that she came up with, and I would like to discuss my options."

Her: "Okay, (gets my info...) Laura, we can see what we can do."

Me: explains the whole "I've already done this, and I shouldn't have to do it over concept..."

Her: "Well, you took the testing, and it recommended this course of action. Not only that, but an advisor has to sign off on any upgrading plan, so while it is your education, we do have a say."

Me: "I have a cousin who is a math/science major, he is a certified teacher, and he is willing to tutor me when I need help. Not only that, but I am not stupid. I am not upgrading because I was too dumb to take these courses in High School. I am a good student. I like school, and I learn well. Not only that, but this is something I had to do so that I can fulfill a lifelong dream. I am not going to give up, and not learn from this. Besides, if I fail, I will be the one paying for the course again, and redoing it, and that won't hurt the college any. I don't understand why you are making this harder than it has to be."

Her: "Oh, you are paying for this yourself?"

Me: "Yes. As I explained to the previous student advisor. It should be there in my file."

Her: "Oh yes, I see it here. Well, since you are self-funded, you have a few more options, because a signed action plan is not required for government funding. You can certainly register for the courses you like. Just send back your acceptance letter, with a letter about our conversation today, I will note it in your file as well, (fingers clacking on keys) and you will be all set."

Me: "Thank you."

So apparently, it is only if the government is paying for your education that you need someone's signature (why I do not understand, it is not like we are in kindergarten anymore, good grief, it is an ADULT program. Yikes!) to proceed in the program. My though is that they are squeezing every last cent they can get, so they make people take courses they do not need. I am not being given money by the government. This is all coming out of my pocket. Stop trying to rip me off!

Maybe that's all colleges and universities do. Rip people off.

Although I think my previous college experience was worth every penny in a personal sense. Maybe in the actual education department it was not, but I still think is was worth it.

And I'm sure this will be too. Besides, everything is so much more fun to me when I have to pick a fight to get what I want. :) Demented, I know!