Two of my freshers handed in their tests today with some comment about, "Man, that was hard" and then walked out the room into the tiled, resounding hallway and remarked (so that I, their instructor, and the rest of the class) could hear, "And it's only a 100-level class!" Probably some swear words in there.
For two quarters I've enjoyed my students, I've challenged them, and hopefully I've made the class somewhat fun (it's a general studies requirement, so of course they're not going to love it). And they walk out the door and say that. Frankly it's a compliment to know the test was hard--that's what makes things challenging and I know that this isn't just some water-off-their-back GS class--they are, for the most part, actually studying.
But should they expect it to be easy just because it's a 100-level? For Pete's sake, no. Whiny little vermin. I don't recall my 100-level math or science classes being easy, nor any other 100-level classes I took with a few minor exceptions. But I suppose when your day is filled with PSYCH 101 and PE 101 and HIST 101, you'd expect ENGL 102 to be on the same level.
Huh. This, apparently, is me being bitchy. But I am tired of students thinking the world revolves around them, that college is a right not a privilege, and that if they complain enough, things will go their way. Hopefully that ass-kicking final they took today kicked some sense into their heads as well.
Note to students: Your professors hate finals and love summer vacation, too.