GPA chasers risk it all for grades
Kat Timpf
Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Focus
At a college like Hillsdale, most students spent quite a bit of time on their studies. Some, however, hardly do anything else.
Junior political science major Tara Elkins said she studies "every waking moment that's available, any time I'm not in class or at a meal or at an event." She even studies most Friday and Saturday nights.
Elkins said it helps that she enjoys most of her assigned material, but that she feels obliged to do well in school simply because she obtained the opportunity to attend through scholarships and funds from her parents.
"I feel guilty when I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do," Elkins said, who said she has a high 3.8 grade point average.
Junior Monica Way expressed similar sentiments.
"I think it's a combination of respect for my professors and other students… and for the cost of my education," Way said. "People who really blow things off are disrespectful."
Way said she had a 4.0 GPA until last semester, when she took an class with Associate Professor of English John Somerville.
"I realize that it probably had to happen sometime," Way said. "But I enjoyed the class. I'm more interested in learning than I am in getting good grades."
Way, an English and music double major, said she dedicates six to nine hours of work per week for each of her classes.
"Whenever I have any free time, I spend it doing work, unless I've specifically arranged it to spend time with friends," she said.
Senior English major Rebekah Wilhelm said that while she does spend a large amount of her time on homework, she has gotten better at balancing her time since her freshman year.
"I came in wanting good grades," Wilhelm said. "I knew how hard I could work, and I wanted a GPA that could reflect that."
And it did. After being a self-professed "hermit" throughout her freshman year, Wilhelm earned a perfect 4.0. However, she later decided there were other things she wanted to spend her time doing during college.
Junior political science major Tara Elkins said she studies "every waking moment that's available, any time I'm not in class or at a meal or at an event." She even studies most Friday and Saturday nights.
Elkins said it helps that she enjoys most of her assigned material, but that she feels obliged to do well in school simply because she obtained the opportunity to attend through scholarships and funds from her parents.
"I feel guilty when I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do," Elkins said, who said she has a high 3.8 grade point average.
Junior Monica Way expressed similar sentiments.
"I think it's a combination of respect for my professors and other students… and for the cost of my education," Way said. "People who really blow things off are disrespectful."
Way said she had a 4.0 GPA until last semester, when she took an class with Associate Professor of English John Somerville.
"I realize that it probably had to happen sometime," Way said. "But I enjoyed the class. I'm more interested in learning than I am in getting good grades."
Way, an English and music double major, said she dedicates six to nine hours of work per week for each of her classes.
"Whenever I have any free time, I spend it doing work, unless I've specifically arranged it to spend time with friends," she said.
Senior English major Rebekah Wilhelm said that while she does spend a large amount of her time on homework, she has gotten better at balancing her time since her freshman year.
"I came in wanting good grades," Wilhelm said. "I knew how hard I could work, and I wanted a GPA that could reflect that."
And it did. After being a self-professed "hermit" throughout her freshman year, Wilhelm earned a perfect 4.0. However, she later decided there were other things she wanted to spend her time doing during college.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Scott
posted 2/26/09 @ 8:55 AM EST
Miss Elkins needs a beer.
Dude
posted 3/02/09 @ 11:38 PM EST
Miss Elkins doesn't need any beer she's krunk on the Spirit
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