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by memebox3v 2958 days ago
I agree. I think I could have done my degree in a year. Didnt go to any lectures, do any coursework or workshops, learnt the material in a month before the exams. Got 1st class marks (although pulled down to a 2.1 because i didnt do coursework). I used to think everyone could do this if they wanted and that the school/university system was absolutely terrible. Turns out, I'm very bright, who knew?

Point is: Most people are not like this, they need the structure, they need the help.
2 comments
throwaway3924 2958 days ago
Same here. I studied for an EE degree in a very demanding university. Learning exclusively from books proved to be more effective.

> Most people are not like this, they need the structure, they need the help.

Only because they've been educated to be passive learners!

For centuries, aristocrats could afford large family libraries and were very self-directed in their studies. Today we expect scholars and researchers to be avid readers and able to find their own sources.

There is no evidence that the remaining 95% is born without the ability to learn from books. (No, IQ is not very relevant here.)

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didibus 2958 days ago
How many hours was spent on that month prior per given exam prep?

Did you have any prior exposure to comp sci? Had programmed before? Had spent a lot of time on math? Read about comp sci, blogs, articles, books?

What does 1st class marks pulled down to a 2 mean?

How qualified do you feel you are now compared to your coworkers who followed a more traditional style?

Do you think you could have done this one month prior exam cramming 12 months in a row with equal success and without losing the motivation to keep it going?

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michaelt 2958 days ago 

  What does 1st class marks pulled down to a 2 mean?
He means "I got a B+ overall, but I got an A+ on everything I turned in, I just didn't turn in some graded assignments" and his degree was graded using the British classification system [1].

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_undergraduate_degree_c...

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walshemj 2958 days ago
Seems a bit silly to blow of the course work and not get a first - also not a terribly good indicator that they will adapt well to the workplace.

Obvs if its a former Polly the difference between a first and a 2.1 isn't as important as an Oxbridge First.

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