Alrighty, it's time to address the difference between education in England and education in Australia. I'm not really talking about the curricula, more the attitude.
The thing that confuses me the most are tutorials. As I do drama, my tutorials are actually called workshops, minus one. Understandably, workshops are more relaxed and focused on interaction with the lecturer. They involve a lot of talking and sometimes moving about. However, this to me does not mean make yourself at home, lye on the floor, pop in your headphones if you feel like it and perhaps even have a doze.
I'm serious. I had a tutorial earlier today on Australian Theatre and actually began to laugh because all around me were people lying on the floor as our lecturer was trying to teach. Its more than just getting comfortable, they actually look like they are sleeping. I just don't get it. This is happens every week in every tutorial and is clearly something which has always happened here.
Every time I notice these kind of things, I try and imagine what would happen if I did the same in Exeter. To be honest, I can't imagine anyone doing it. Our lecturers want us to look alive and as if we are participating. Sure you get the odd day where your lacking energy and feel a bit sluggish, but you cover it up!
Attendance at Exeter is monitored like a hawk. Turning up half an hour late is not an option. Walking in and out whenever you want to does not exist. Guess what? All of this is acceptable at Griffith. Students have honestly walked in 45 minutes late to a lecture or 'tute' and no one has flickered an eye lid. It's a free for all.
I'm trying my best not to sound like a snob or teacher's pet because I know that to many it will read that way. It's really just me analysing and trying to comprehend student life over here compared to back home. I can't say that I'm not judging though. I don't think its good how all of this is allowed to happen so casually. It just makes university feel a bit immature and sometimes pointless. I guess it's a positive that the students here feel as if they can 100% relax around their lecturers, and will perhaps then allow them to be more honest and open. It definitely breaks the barrier between teacher and student.
I'm not going to let myself fully adapt to such a relaxed environment at uni because otherwise I'll get a shock when I head back to Exeter.
I hope I don't sound like too much of a twat during this post, sorry if you feel that I do. (Sorry not sorry).
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