I thought our class would be third time lucky. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the exact opposite. Don't expect a funny article, folks... I am one really cheesed off bugger now...
Last weekend, I had to cancel my plans to go to "Angels & Demons" movie because I didn't want to miss the classes. I had always wanted to take a ride around Anna University but never thought I'll be taken for a ride by the University. This is a brief about how Anna University folks successfully managed to spoil a perfectly beautiful weekend.
Normally, our class is used as a passage by the students, during the break. For a change, the lecturers used it likewise this time. I mean, the lecturers who apparently had lost their way and found themselves lecturing in our class. Too bad that we had to put up with them. Was it worth our time? I don't think so.
First day of misery
First session started with the faculty smartly walking into the class. He reminded me of Christian preachers on television, who speak and move in an animated fashion. (No blasphemy intended by yours truly!!!) Good start... I thought... How wrong could I be? He spelt out 7 M's and 25 management techniques without referring to the notes and thought it would be enough to ride-out a couple of hours. Maybe, he thought he can fill in the rest of the time with sarcasm and personal jibes. Although I have no problem with his sarcasm, I was getting a little bit annoyed by his jibes. I let it go a couple of times for the sake of fun, third time for the sake of courtesy... Fourth time, he crossed it and I had to let him know that it was not welcome. There was no shape or structure to his session with him jumping from one concept to another without any consideration for the poor souls sitting in front of him. Isn't PLANNING an important management function or did he forget it while leaving in a hurry from his home? We could only give an apathetic "AMEN" once he finished the session. From next time, this session is to be rechristened as "Principle concepts of MIS-management".
We had the third faculty for economics in three classes we've had until now. Simple mathematical calculation would show that we've had one each for last three sessions. The female lecturer seems to have different priorities. So, why can't we get another regular faculty instead of some replacement who has no idea even about what unit is to be taught? The professor was a great guy... My grudge is not against him, of course. If you don't even know what unit is to be taught in the class, then why volunteer at all? We are not here to find out how much you know, but to learn things that we don't. From next time, this session is to be rechristened as "Economic for all – BY ALL AND SUNDRY".
Lunch at Aishwarya Bhavan. No great shakes... so, we move on.
Black board was the only thing that learnt from the statistics professor was the. He spent most of the time talking to it rather than the students. He took no pains to educate us but was diligently practicing his handwriting skills. He thought his duty is over once he transferred whatever was there in the book to the board. Somebody should remind him that we all have a book at our disposal and we can do the copying ourselves. From next time, this session is to be rechristened as "Statistics of time spent with the Black board".
Intro session that wasn't
Vijay and Sudha had advised, instructed, cajoled, convinced, requested, threatened, coaxed, sweet-talked, and persuaded the group to stay back for the introduction session. But, once the statistics session got completed, a group bolted off like horses out of cages. No offense, girls. But, is it too much to expect at least a courteous explanation about the urgency to leave? For those who just couldn't avoid leaving, please feel free to take the stage next time to introduce yourselves. I can assure you none of the guys have any intention of kidnapping the girl with the best sounding name.
During introduction, we found students were from all spectrums - A Roman Catholic priest at one end of it and a water sports instructor at the other end and everything in between. Apart from the run-of-the-mill software candidates from companies with all possible fancy names, there were also students with nursing degrees as also content writers. I started my introduction assuring that it won't be as long as my messages. It elicited a big THANKS from krkaay_7. Oh my... didn't know I had such drastic effects on people. Is that why there was a huge collective sigh from the whole class when I sat down? Anyway, Good try, Guys and Gals. I am not letting you off the hook and will keep feeding you with more messages...
As a side note,
a) Cognizant takes the trophy for having the most number of students.
b) Thanks for all those who stayed back and those who are going to introduce themselves in next class.
c) Special regards to rathi_malar for being the first one to compliment/criticize my article.
Second day at Hell
Next day, I went in a bit more optimistic but still aching about not being able to make it to the movie.
First session of the day, the faculty made a brisk entry, only half an hour late. I swear that the girls felt very sore after the “Organizational Behavior” classes. The lecturer didn't turn towards them even while taking attendance. Don't worry, Girls. We also felt the same way. Vijay's magnetic personality drew her attention completely. We felt as if we were intruding a private conversation between the faculty and him. Vijay... A suggestion. From next class, you can take her out to have the conversation so that we are spared of her verbal diarrhea. From next time, this session will be rechristened as "Organizational Behavior for BOYS". Sorry, gals... you find your own OB faculty.
Communication session lecturer promptly came half hour late. She did what she does best - BEING NON-COMMUNICATIVE. She told what had to and wrote what she had to without unnecessarily bothering to communicate with the students. From next time, this session will be rechristened as "Teaching Communication through Non-Communicative Means".
Back to Hot-chips for Lunch with Anto and Guldi. Prabu had spent all his energy in morning and had no more to continue and left for the day.
Redemption after Lunch
Post lunch, I was surprised to find found Srivats sitting next to me. For your information, Srivats is the one found sleeping in the third bench and walking around dreamily. I thought he had sleep walked to our place. He explained that he wanted to have an undisturbed slumber but the irony was he chose the most inappropriate place by choosing our bench. He didn't know that the Accounting faculty has a special affinity towards the last bench. He spent rest of the afternoon blinking wearily. As the class progressed, he became so attentive that he started pointing out mistakes in the figures written by the faculty.
Accounting session started with krkaay_7 asking a doubt. The faculty went the whole nine yards to diligently clarify the doubt. He also taught depreciation well. For his depreciation classes, I have nothing but appreciation for him. My vote is for this guy to take over the administration of Anna University. There is no way I am renaming this session.
The lawyer comes across as a sincere faculty. She was well prepared and stuck to her task of educating us and she did it fairly well. I don't think there was any other way of making her subject interesting. Another unit down, three more to go. I know a bit about Company Law now. Wish I knew about these one or two years before I burnt my fingers starting something on my own. The name of the session remains the same.
Can't we request the co-ordinator to move these two sessions before lunch so that we can sleep during Communication and OB classes, after having a stomachful?
Beware of Students.... Grrrrrrrrrrr...........
A small request to the professors. If you don't feel like taking classes, please don't. We are better off sitting in class without a professor for a couple of hours rather than watching you go through your motions without any sincerity. With no disrespect to any of you, I would like to emphasize that the class is old enough to see through the empty bravado and the oh-so-obvious lack of preparation. Beware before you come in next time. Remember – “IDHU ENGA AREA”
Last weekend was a disappointment considering the huge expectations that we all have about Anna University and its Tutors. On hindsight, I think I should have gone to the movie. At least my wife would have been happier.
Regards
Pras
About the Author
Resembling a steam train with smoke coming out of his ears. Doesn't carry any passengers, though. Throws mud and spews venom at http://prasadha.blogspot.com
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