Organizational Skills - General

Today, in math class our teacher was calling us up, one by one for, at the time an unknown reason. What was happening was this: our teacher, from now on referred to as [i]Mr. E[/i], was examining our notebooks and/or binders. He was checking the math section of them to check for organization, neatness and how we filed our notes, handouts, assignments and homework. Some of my friends are naturally organized and they went up with their fucking flawless notebooks and got 4/4, because for some reason this was getting marked. I go up, and I've never been able to keep myself organized. I have tried numerous times in my life and I have failed miserably. I can keep digital things organized, such as my music, pictures and movies folders but anything physical I have incredible trouble with, I think it's actually listed as a [i]learning disability[/i] of mine. So, I'm up there and Mr. E takes a quick look through my math section I explain to him that it's not really organized, and I explain the fact that I have immense difficulty keeping organized, he then makes up some excuse about "somebody maintaining a business would need to keep organized" which just pissed me off. I do not plan on maintaining a business in the near future, and if I do nearly everything will be digital, because I work better in a digital medium. In short, I do not believe that something such as organizational skills, which are something which vary from person to persona and are not necessarily something which can be learned should be something in which you are assessed on, especially when that is something to which bias is heavily involved in. If Mr. E were like me, I'm sure I would not have received such a unsavory review from him(I believe I got 1/4 on that part). If he were to look at my grades in the course so far or any of my other courses he would see that my grades are not impacted by my lack of organization. I am an honour roll student, yet my notebook looks like it's maintained by a 5 year old. [b]tl;dr[/b] get out, this is a rant.

I get graded on organization too... :frown:

I am not so good at organizing organs so i can never be doctor i must be gun holding man. [editline]11:36PM[/editline] [img]http://www.theaveragegamer.com/wp-content/Screenshots/TheOrangeBox/HeavyFace-tb.jpg[/img]

A girl in my class is super organized. I am a slob. I have one of the best grades in the class though.

My father's favorite phrase is, "Aesthetics! Aesthetics! Aesthetics!" Organization isn't always about easy access and quick filing, but so things look neat as well.

It's actually better to be organized, but it's not gonna kill you to be messy either. But that kinda depends on what you're keeping organized. Me, I personally keep an organized mess most of the time. If ever my binder is really messy, I still know where everything is and can take it all out and group it real quick. Suck it up and be more organized. Start with a fresh binder if you have to, and actually try to keep things in order. It's not that hard.

So wait, this sounds like something you weren't warned about? Was it in the syllabus that this would be a requirement? Did he give you time in class to organize it first? If not, that does seem kind of unfair. Personal organization doesn't seem like it should be a requirement for a math class (unless of course, it's of your work and it's so unorganized it's unreasonable). I would talk to him about it, if I were you.

Yeah my teachers do this too. You can be as good at math as you'd like but math is actually organization class and the math is for bonus marks.

it's part of the high school "do it our way" teaching it stops in college

I was never organized. I was okay in elementary school. But is middle and high school I passed each year by the skin on my teeth because I couldn't get my shit straight.

I divide my class papers into 4 sections. That's all I need, one for each class.

An organized binder gives the image that you are dedicated to your learning. You might really be smart and learn well, but people cannot see that, only how you present it. Organization, such as your binder, is somewhat like proof that you are dedicated student.

[QUOTE=Tarana;20546745]So wait, this sounds like something you weren't warned about? Was it in the syllabus that this would be a requirement? Did he give you time in class to organize it first? If not, that does seem kind of unfair. Personal organization doesn't seem like it should be a requirement for a math class (unless of course, it's of your work and it's so unorganized it's unreasonable). I would talk to him about it, if I were you.[/QUOTE] No, we weren't warned of this ahead of time, he just called us up and checked out our notebooks. It's a little BS, but hopefully I can make up for it with actual skill in the course. [QUOTE=Otsegolation;20546736]Suck it up and be more organized. Start with a fresh binder if you have to, and actually try to keep things in order. It's not that hard.[/QUOTE] I try. But, shit just fucking explodes. I cleaned up my backpack and my notebook tonight, and I'm going to try to keep it organized, but history shows me that shit will go awry.

I used to be unorganized. Then I stopped doodling in class and actually did everything the teacher said.

[QUOTE=Rubs10;20546834]I used to be unorganized. Then I stopped doodling in class and actually did everything the teacher said.[/QUOTE] I pay attention in class and take notes when I need to, I do all of my homework, but I can't keep it together in one place. It just goes [b]everywhere[/b].

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;20546797]An organized binder gives the image that you are dedicated to your learning. You might really be smart and learn well, but people cannot see that, only how you present it. Organization, such as your binder, is somewhat like proof that you are dedicated student.[/QUOTE] [quote][B]Gives the image that[/B][/quote] When in reality it has absolutely no correlation whatsoever.

[QUOTE=KaIibos;20546896]When in reality it has absolutely no correlation whatsoever.[/QUOTE] Yeah. I think that teachers should grade you based on your skill and competence in the course and with the coursework. Not on personality/personal skills.

[QUOTE=KaIibos;20546896]When in reality it has absolutely no correlation whatsoever.[/QUOTE] Yeah, that's kind of how I feel. At my school, we enforce organization (going as far as to sort through the kids' backpacks and give them labeled folders to use) if the kids are failing their classes. If not, they can organize their stuff however they want. I think teachers should only step in if there is a problem with the academics.

[QUOTE=KaIibos;20546896]When in reality it has absolutely no correlation whatsoever.[/QUOTE] I never said there was a correlation, merely that it gives the image of. I'm quite sure there are dumb people who are more organized than some smart people.

[QUOTE=Tarana;20546963]At my school, we enforce organization (going as far as to sort through the kids' backpacks and give them labeled folders to use) if the kids are failing their classes.[/QUOTE] I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say that that solves absolutely nothing. Instead of using whatever shitty logic they're using there (I don't even understand it) maybe they should try addressing the [B]reason[/B] the kids are failing classes. I can guarantee that it's not because they don't keep their assignments in order. [editline]03:57AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;20547064]I never said there was a correlation, merely that it gives the image of. I'm quite sure there are dumb people who are more organized than some smart people.[/QUOTE] Just sayin.

[QUOTE=KaIibos;20547100]I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say that that solves absolutely nothing. Instead of using whatever shitty logic they're using there (I don't even understand it) maybe they should try addressing the [B]reason[/B] the kids are failing classes. I can guarantee that it's not because they don't keep their assignments in order. [/QUOTE] Er well, yes it is. They do the assignments, lose them in their backpacks, and then don't get credit for it. I mean, of course we do other stuff with them too (study groups, help with projects, etc.), but I'm saying we don't even [I]address[/I] organization with them unless there is a clear problem with it that interferes with their grades.

[QUOTE=Tarana;20547208]Er well, yes it is. They do the assignments, lose them in their backpacks, and then don't get credit for it. I mean, of course we do other stuff with them too (study groups, help with projects, etc.), but I'm saying we don't even [I]address[/I] organization with them unless there is a clear problem with it that interferes with their grades.[/QUOTE] I've lost assignments like that. My stop to this was putting what ever papers in the front of the text book of what ever class. It looks horribly messy, but I manage to keep assignments handed in. As for not addressing it, I don't think that's right. How can you be judged on something that they don't try to explain what to do? That's like never telling two teenagers what sex is, and the girl gets pregnant. You can't judge the girl if she was never explained what and what not to do.

Your kids must be pants-on-head retarded. I was unorganized as all hell in high school, but there is a [I]clear[/I] distinction between having a messy binder and not giving a shit in the first place. Do you work at a special school?

[QUOTE=KaIibos;20547290]Your kids must be pants-on-head retarded. I was unorganized as all hell in high school, but there is a [I]clear[/I] distinction between having a messy binder and not giving a shit in the first place. Do you work at a special school?[/QUOTE] Yeah. Being unorganized and losing shit in a fucking backpack are a little different. You're meaning to tell me that a student can't rifle through his bag for a few minutes and pull out the assignment?

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;20547281]I've lost assignments like that. My stop to this was putting what ever papers in the front of the text book of what ever class. It looks horribly messy, but I manage to keep assignments handed in. As for not addressing it, I don't think that's right. How can you be judged on something that they don't try to explain what to do? That's like never telling two teenagers what sex is, and the girl gets pregnant. You can't judge the girl if she was never explained what and what not to do.[/QUOTE] Well most kids seem to figure it out themselves (either from earlier in school or from trial and error). I should explain this is in a high school setting, so teaching organization is usually not essential. It's only in those cases where grades are going down the drain and it's because work isn't getting handed in that teaching organization comes into play. Otherwise, I think highschool students are old enough to figure out what works for them. If it's letting assignments explode everywhere like the OP, fine by me, as long as grades aren't affected.

Treat it like a job. Then it makes a lot more sense to be organized.

[QUOTE=Pepin;20547403]Treat it like a job. Then it makes a lot more sense to be organized.[/QUOTE] cept you're not getting paid and you can't get fired and... in fact there are way too many differences to list here

[QUOTE=KaIibos;20547436]cept you're not getting paid and you can't get fired and... in fact there are way too many differences to list here[/QUOTE] He said treat it as a job, not it be a job.

all of my teachers do this...They also expect me to have a 3" binder for every one of my 7 classes. Fuck that. I carry around 7 of these [img]http://www.fulbrightelem.org/Opening%20Pages/Third/OP%20Third%20Graphics/folder%20with%20holes.jpg[/img] (Same colors but one is black i think) They are always like, 5/20, you need to get a binder. I just usually nod and walk away, not happening, too big and heavy to carry around, I'm already late to class going to my locker to get books, let alone a binder for every class too. :bang:

[QUOTE=KaIibos;20547436]cept you're not getting paid and you can't get fired and... in fact there are way too many differences to list here[/QUOTE] There are always differences where you want to be differences. Honestly, just have to suck it up and realize that being organized is a good skill for the future.