How effective are the Freshmen Academies for incoming freshmen? What dissuades many students from joining? Is it the application essays that have to be written to join, or could it be something else? As a participant in a Freshmen Academy, I think that it's the scheduling of classes that deters prospective participants. Don’t get me wrong; the classes are great, the teachers fun, and the fellow students enjoyable. However, that same schedule that allows us to have such good teachers is also a schedule that keeps us frustrated and out of breath. It’s difficult to find a job when one’s intermittent schedule stretches through both morning and afternoon. It’s difficult for us to effectively collaborate with one another on many assignments in fifty minutes – a common gap on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Some choose to relax during these periods, while others like me despise them and try anyways. So what could be done? Could there be common ground? I'd like to think so. I believe that, if freshmen were allowed to sign up for courses within the Freshmen Academy community, then everyone will be satisfied. It would be similar to the envelopes because certain classes could still be required, but they could be offered at different times within the community. Once accomplished, Freshmen Academies would then become truly effective for all freshmen.
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I enjoyed this, partly because i am having trouble with the job thing too :) But as for constructive criticism, what relevance does the third question have? All classes have essays and assignments. A good point though on the scheduling. :D
ReplyDeleteI can't relate to the job portion, because I'm not trying to find one, but it does bring up a good point. As for myself, however, I rather enjoy having breaks in between the classes, instead of a block of classes that stretch over 3 hours.
ReplyDeleteI was having the same trouble with finding a job. I like your argument. Maybe something you could talk about is that instead of signing up for classes in envelopes, administration could let freshman sign up for individual classes within the community.
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ReplyDeleteAlthough freshman academy allowed me to get the classes I needed it put them at ridiculous times. I agree with your paragraph because I can relate to the awkwardness of the scheduling. I had been looking for a job but the only ones available require work when I have classes. I can relate homie.
ReplyDeleteWow, I can really relate to this topic! As far as critique goes, this intro really offers a true summary of the upcoming article- good job. it shows all reasoning behind your argument. One thing: instead of ending the paragraph on a statement (Freshmen Academies will have become truly effective for all freshmen...), try and add a more reasoning-based sentence that'll make it sound less as if you are just supporting your topic with your own opinion and no facts. So just briefly restate what was said earlier.
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