Repeating First-Year English should be okay

by Lisa Pereira

research

After a lengthy appointment with a DVC counselor, I felt like crying. In fact, salty tears were stinging my eyes and beginning to spill down my hot cheeks. I wasn't crying out of sadness. I was crying out of anger. I have been attending college off and on since 1990. Mostly off.

During my high school senior year, I applied to Brigham Young University. I was accepted. Of course, I planned on graduating after four or five years. Instead, I left after three semesters. Being naïve about college courses, I treated that first semester the way I had treated my high school classes. I had always done well in high school without a great deal of effort. I used the same formula in college. After summer term, my report card read: "W" (the Music History 101 class was too difficult, so I dropped), "C" (English), and "C" (Religion). I was disappointed and discouraged by college. The next semester was only slightly better. I got a "C" in English, my best subject. English had always been a breeze. I blamed my poor grade on a lousy teacher. The truth is, I just wasn't dedicated. I wasn't studying and working as a college student should. After that first year, I came home to work.

Over the next few years, I worked, saved money, and went to DVC and LMC. I also went on a mission in Portugal for my church. During this time, I was never serious about school and earned more "W" grades than any other letter.

Eight years after graduation, I became very interested in my education. I am older and more mature. I have become an "A" student instead of a "C" student. I want to remedy the past. My counselor told me there was no such thing. My first semesters almost ten years ago reflect an indecisive, immature eighteen-year-old without a clue. I didn't know what I wanted. I wasn't dedicated. I decided to retake First-year English for a better grade. I wanted to actually learn the second time around. Fortunately, no one can keep you from learning. I discovered that I would not be able to replace the grade because English 122, an essential class toward college success, could not be repeated for a better grade nor to improve grade point average. This is ludicrous. I am trying to learn and improve. I don't understand this rule.

I have spent a lot of time trying to understand why English 122 would be an unacceptable course to repeat. I can only think of reasons in favor of repetition. English 122 is a critical course. Essential principles are taught in First-year English. Essential skills are taught in First-year English, skills that will affect future successes in most other courses. Why wouldn't it be okay to master this class prior to moving on? It is necessary to know and understand the basic elements of an essay to succeed in college. Convincing a reader to believe a thesis statement in a written comprehensible format is necessary for a majority of college level courses. Reading, writing, and critical thinking skills are crucial to educational and professional success.

College exists to educate people. College level courses take you beyond high school and prepare you for the real world, a world of competition and challenge.

The courses you will take satisfy a general educational structure, allowing you to find your niche. Each class taken to attain a degree is essential toward future success. Many of these classes are necessary to gain mastery in your chosen field. It's consequential to achieve honorary grades in college. Many prospective employers look at your grade point average in determining your aptitude for the job. Repeating any class to master the curriculum should be not only acceptable, but admirable, as well.

My reasons for wanting to repeat this course were because nine years ago, I was indecisive and immature. I wasn't ready to commit myself to college. I needed to experience different parts of life before I could understand the importance of a college education.

At twenty-six, I decided that I was ready to dedicate myself to a higher education. I had a desire to succeed. I wanted to achieve outstanding grades. Above all else, I wanted to learn. My brother's favorite saying is, "C's earn degrees." Even though a "C" grade is acceptable, I don't want a degree based on average grades. I want a degree based on outstanding achievement. I want to improve my grade point average for transfer. I also feel improved self esteem when I master a college course. I don't have to repeat English 122 to earn a degree. A "C" grade from eight years ago will fulfill the requirement for the degree. I want to learn something that will enable me to be successful in future courses. After all, a college education teaches important life lessons. Education broadens your horizons and opens your eyes to the world.

Repeating a course shows a desire to remedy the past and improve oneself. Taking a class over for a better grade shows maturity and dedication. It is a sign of self-mastery. There isn't anything wrong with wanting to be better than mediocre.

When my counselor told me there was no such thing as starting over, I felt upset. How can someone tell me that you can't make mistakes and repent? Life is for learning from past errors. Once a lesson is learned, I don't plan on being a repeat offender. College is a means to an end. Future employers want intelligent and dedicated employees. They want employees who know the meaning of "try, try again." A nutritionist friend of mine tells her weight-loss patients that, "Success comes from looking at the goal and not being tripped up by the obstacles. The obstacles, however, must be overcome. Sometimes, more than once." Poor grades in college courses are obstacles toward a larger goal. That goal is a degree. Often, you need to overcome an obstacle more than once in order to truly learn and master a skill.

Colleges have set guidelines. Repeating First-year English is prohibited according to those guidelines. Even though I can't understand this rule, I must accept it.

Learning has become my number one goal in college. I am here for me. The fact is, I am in school to achieve a degree, but if I earn a degree and haven't learned, the degree is worthless. Education prepares you for the real world. At the entrance of Brigham Young University, a sign reads, "The world is my campus." Higher education is the precursor to lifelong learning, growth, and understanding. A college campus can be a model of the world. After all, life after college is just the beginning.