Although I tried to do well in high school, I never felt that grades were particularly meaningful to me. Instead of encouraging students to learn and improve, they only seemed to cause my peers to constantly compare themselves to others. In looking for colleges, I was interested in finding a school that focused more on self-fulfillment and on students working collaboratively instead of competing for the highest grade.
When I found out about Hampshire, I was immediately drawn to its unique pedagogy. Instead of taking exams, students spend most of their time on independent work. And instead of receiving letter grades, students receive detailed feedback and evaluations from their classmates and professors. Students are more concerned with improving their own skills and giving helpful feedback to others than with getting a higher score than someone else.
I am now a fourth-year student at Hampshire, and I can say that it has lived up to my expectations and changed my views on education. While I did learn a lot in high school, the system of tests and letter grades was not ideal for me. It may help some students become better learners, but for me it was a source of stress and animosity. Hampshire’s system, in comparison, does not pit students against each other. Instead, we are encouraged to focus on developing better skills and to collaborate with other students rather than compete with them. If you also enjoy learning without competition, Hampshire might be the perfect school for you.
I am completely agree with you, Brigid! Educational system should encourage students to study together, to be curious, not to compare to each other. Education is not always about the lessons, it is about social communication between students.