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Posted by: Bloom girl Sep 9 2011, 3:14 PM

Hm.. I thought this was the right forum to post this topic xD
Umm..anyway

I know that, for the most of you, school has already started [again]. Schools start here on Monday 12/09, by the way.
You have unwinded and "recharged your batteries" during the summer holidays, you are one year older & ready(?) to spend the next 10 months at a desk, at school & spending endless hours at studing...

Some of you may have changed school. (for example, you may have finished elementary school & you will go to junior high school) This is really good (from the one side), because you'll make new acquaintances.

I will go to high school this year. Fortunately, I will be in the same school with almost all of my friends.
Unfortunately, this year is going to be really hard for ALL the greek students. And that's because the government doesn't have enough money to print books. We won't have any books! It is said that we will be given out photocopies instead! But photocopies will cost more to the government than printing books! It is also rumored that the will give us the school books after Christmas! The situation in my country is a bit worring now. They did a big mistake, a very big mistake; they completely ruined education.
However, the educational system in Greece was never really good. What I mean is that, state schools provide education to the majority of students and do not help weaker students. (another example -->) Most of the laboratories in state schools are closed and students miss the opportunity to carry out experiements in chemistry or physics and they are not motivated to study harder because just the theory is boring.
This is the reason why parents pay extra money (if they afford the expences) to send their children to prepatory schools after school, in order the child to overcome his/her weaknessess (if the student is weak) or to improve his/her skills. Furthermore, if you want to achieve a diploma in a foreign language (English,German etc.) you have to go to a prepatory school or get lessons at home by a tutor, in order to be prepared properly for the examinations. [Diplomas in foreign languages are really important in order to find a job]
As a result, students in my country (including me) spend many hours at prepatory schools, after school, every day, so when they go home, they have to study for school, do their homework &... they don't have any free time for themselves, to exercise or do other activities or go out with their friends and have fun.
Education is an integral part of our lives. The greek government "killed" education, they "killed" our future...

I'm learning English since I was 6. (I'm going to a prepatory school 4 times a week to have english lessons) I already got 2 diplomas in English language; "Lower" & "Advanced". On the 24th of November I'm going to take an exam in order to achieve a "Proficiency" diploma. I hope I pass the exams!

Anyway..
I would be very happy to hear (actually read xD ) what you have to say about this topic, about school & education & about your new school year :)

I hope you have a nice new school year. All of you. :3

P.S. : If there are any mistakes in my text, please tell me.
P.S. No2 : Ooops.. I used the phrase "in order to" too many times xD LOL

Posted by: mightymarty2 Sep 9 2011, 3:39 PM

Well good luck with all your studies. I have heard about Greece's problems and I certainly don't think your country will be the last to suffer as much as you have. I know Ireland are most probably next if things continue like they are (potentially a double dip recession) to be in a very similar state as Greece, even if their bailout was not as bad as Greece's.

This is the right place to post it and its very easy to keep using the same group of words too many times.

Posted by: Another Morning Sep 9 2011, 4:09 PM

Having graduated high school and abandoned college (anyone want to hire me? I'm good at playing video games and posting on message boards), I myself am not experiencing the back-to-school experience first hand, but I have plenty of friends who are going back to college this term. None of them were particularly looking forward to it XD

It sucks that you have to spend so much time on schoolwork, Bloom girl, and that the schools there are in such bad shape. I hope you can get through the year without too much stress and that you're able to find some time to relax.

Posted by: Bloom girl Sep 9 2011, 5:51 PM

Thank you very much. I hope everything goes well :)

Posted by: empire_c2 Sep 10 2011, 2:23 AM

I just started college on Tuesday, and it is definitely a big change from high school, but I'll be doing something that has fascinated me since I started public school. Drawing. I'm hoping to get into Animation next year, but I need to learn a lot before I can handle the course. High school wasn't a big help in that field skill wise, but after reading your bit Bloom girl, I am thankful for what I got for education. I got to use textbooks (some damaged from previous students wrecking them) but they were useable and the school gave me a few opportunities that really helped me with my goals.

It really is a shame your education has to be the way it is. I hope, though, all your efforts pay off.

Posted by: alicia_musa Sep 10 2011, 2:36 AM

i started 8th grade about like maybe 6 weeks ago -.- and i have one advance class and this class called avid :) has anyone heard of avid

Posted by: Another Morning Sep 10 2011, 6:46 AM

I've never heard of AVID, no O: I looked it up, and it sounds kind of like QUEST, which is what my schools had. It was basically a class kids could take if they passed a test where they could devote more time to various studies that they weren't able to focus on in normal classes, or who needed more of a challenge.

Posted by: imdepressedxo Sep 10 2011, 2:48 PM

Very different education system and holiday system over here :/ I get off in June and November-December instead. But that's beside the point; yeah I've been hearing about the entire Greek financial crisis, hope that you can get through the educational problems and starting school under such a circumstance must be pretty tough. Though you seem to really understand the importance of education so be strong and you'll pull through :) I've never experienced much difficulty in quality of education so I guess I'm pretty spoilt; but I'm currently taking a course called I.B(Hell) which is stressing me out, so I can empathize with the stress part. Just work hard and you'll surely reap what you sow

Posted by: alicia_musa Sep 10 2011, 3:58 PM

no avid means advancement via individual determination. basically its something that helps you get to college and all of the students that were in it during high school got scholarships

Posted by: empire_c2 Sep 10 2011, 8:07 PM

ooh my sister did I.B. good luck with it. That's a really tough program. I decided against doing it, but I ended up do a SHSM in arts and culture and getting a college credit before leaving high school.

Posted by: Another Morning Sep 10 2011, 9:12 PM

They aren't exactly the same, but I think it was sort of the same general idea: extra study that looks good on college apps.

Posted by: Bloom girl Sep 12 2011, 6:11 PM

Thank you and good luck to everyone, too

Today was the first day at school. Some students got almost all of the school books, and most of them (including me) got only 4 books xD They didn't have enough books at the storage (of school)
Anyway... I think that they will give us the rest of the books till October.

Posted by: alicia_musa Sep 12 2011, 6:23 PM

im sick today so i didnt go to school i would still be in school anyway

Posted by: Another Morning Sep 12 2011, 6:26 PM

I hope you start feeling better, alicia_musa D: And Bloom girl, at least you managed to get some text books. Good luck starting the year!

Posted by: alicia_musa Sep 12 2011, 6:27 PM

thank you

Posted by: mightymarty2 Sep 12 2011, 7:28 PM

Get well soon alica_musa

@Bloom girl: Lets hope that's a positive sign about the commitment to schools, even in the news around Greece's finances are not positive

Posted by: alicia_musa Sep 12 2011, 7:29 PM

thank you

Posted by: dittadulla Sep 12 2011, 9:16 PM

The school system in Iceland is a bit different, there is one school from grade 1 to 10 that is mandatory and usually there's just one school in your neighbourhood that you automatically have to go to. From grade 11-17 there is a high school which ideally you could have your choice with a bit more, as they are very different and often translated to "Last two years of high school and first two years of College" and you can start to kind of shape your classes in the direction of your profession and what you want to study at University which you can continue to when you're like 20 years old.
In High School, you could as well drop out or take extra years, or speed through and skip one year, or even go back long after you've dropped out to finish. It's very flexible!

Anyway, I'm starting 10th grade now which means I'll be going to high school next year. I'm having a bit of a crisis because I *want* to go to school in Reykjavik but it'd pretty impossible since high schools in Reykjavik don't have any dorms, I can't drive until I'm 17 and I have no place to live there?? Ironically, the school in my hometown which is the one I'll be attending apparently actually has dorms. I live about 5 minutes away.

It's going to be pretty challenging I guess? Last year of basic school, need good grades to get in good classes? I'm not worried about actually getting in, there's law about that high schools are required to take in students under 18 that want in, whether it's first choice or the second! Kind of gonna miss my school and class though, we've been together for 10 years for god's sake...

I'm sorry about the financial issues in Greece, Bloom girl!! The textbooks should have been the last thing to be cut down, but I see with your spirit that you're going to get through it! Good luck with your English diploma! =)

I'm taking online courses for grade 12 in English myself, so in a way after this year I'm almost graduated from the entire English subject, depending on what I'm going to learn.

Posted by: winxclubrox23 Sep 12 2011, 11:43 PM

As of three weeks ago, I've started grade 12, which means next year I have to grow up and be a big girl, and go to university. xD I'm not sure how to feel about that. I mean, it's going to be nice getting out of this little town that I'm so sick of, but I would really rather prefer to be young forever and be lazy.

Posted by: Another Morning Sep 12 2011, 11:57 PM

Good luck to Ditty and Tea being in your last years of required schooling \o/ You'll both be fine. And Ditty, I hope you can work out a way to get to the school you want.

Posted by: mightymarty2 Sep 13 2011, 7:34 AM

Good luck to both of you

Posted by: dittadulla Sep 13 2011, 6:54 PM

Ah good luck Tea!! Yeah I get your be young ans lazy I don't want to..........grow up............... and put effort into things................


Ah thank you!! I hope I can get to it after a year or two though!

Posted by: Bloom girl Sep 14 2011, 11:28 AM

@alica_musa : I hope you get well soon :)

I hope the same thing too.


Thank you very much




Thank you! Good luck with the new school year! :) I hope you can get to the school you want

@winxclubrox23 : Good luck

Yesterday, I met my new classmates & they are friendly. I already knew some of them, beacause we were classmates in junior high school or elementary school.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm on the 10th grade this year. High school ends at 12th grade. On 11th grade you choose some subjects you want to study and in the end of 12th grade you have to take examinations (the examinations are based on the 5 or 6 subjects you have chosen) and get high marks in order to get to the university you want.
But this year, they decided to change this old system in high school! The students who are on 11th & 12th grade now will work with the old educational system. The students (like me) who started 10th grade this year will work with a new educational system that nobady's sure if it will be efficient or inefficient (so, children who have been born in 1996 are something like an "experiement"!) We'll work at groups (of 4 students) and not individually. Every student in the group has to cooperate with each other & do projects when the professor asks them to do so. Furthermore it is said that the grades/marks we will get during the 2 quadrimesters this year will play a much more important role than before. (The grades/marks of the 11th & 12th grade were more important before, but now the grades/marks of the 10th grade play an important role as well.)
It is also rumored that the final exams, those that students take in the end of high school (12th grade), will be abolished. You will be able to choose & get to the university you want. When you get to the university you choose you will take some exams and if you pass then you can continue attending lessons in this university. If you fail the exams then you have to take exams again next year (?)
The examination system in universities is going to become stricter & it will be more difficult to get in the university you want. But from the other side this is good and I will expain the reason: There are many young people in universities in Greece who graduate after attending many years than needed. They don't graduate because they don't pass the exams they take every year at university. They are just bored to study and they don't attend the lessons on a daily basis. As a result there are many students (for example) that got to university when they were 19 and when they become 27 years old they are still students!
So, thanks to this new system (if it will be practiced) these students who don't study in university will be motivated to make a greater effort to graduate.

I hope this new system will prove beneficial.

Posted by: Bloom girl Oct 14 2011, 4:19 PM

Sorry for double-posting..but no one had replied to this topic for long time

Look what happened today in the streets of my small town.

http://lefteria.blogspot.com/2011/10/blog-post_5272.html

All the high school (and some junior high school) students were demonstrating about the bad situation in Greece. The government ruined our generation. We still don't have school books, the libraries are closed, because they say it costs lots of money to the government. They also changed the educational system. The govenment want us to become illiterated so that they will keep us under control...

Many schools in the whole country have been closed by the students in order show protest against this situation. My school is closed since Monday.
But the government still hasn't made any moves to improve this situation. They should do something. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Posted by: mightymarty2 Oct 14 2011, 4:27 PM

The problem is they cann't as they are tring to get bailout money, to stop them going bankrupt. Even though its unlikely to work.

Posted by: earth123 Oct 15 2011, 12:28 AM

Although I left greek school when i was 9, , I can say that the general problem in Greek schools is the sense of competition, that is against. I mean, when I was in school overseas, we had a tedency to to compete for on getting higher grades, good-natured jokes and dating girls, if. In Greece today, most kids compete against on looks and fashion, machoness and on having the "specific" girl. This attitude owes to the sense of the society's conscience, that we must fight for what we believe. In that retrospect, you have no chance in trying to talk with youth for more than 30 seconds on an argument, and either they are prooved their argument wrong, they won't accept it. Why? Because, especially in schools, teachers lost all their power to maintain discipline by the introduction of the family committees. From then on, troublemakers, especially with parents on those committes, could not be punished examplenary, resulting into a spread of anarchy and abuse of power. And due to a questionable law which prohibits any law enforcement on education grounds, all hell broke lose. Being a nerd or geek was hard, now its dangerous. Due to the bullying and harrasing which can't be contained, or properly reported.

But really, is it the youth's fault? Seriously, what can a kid do when they have no-one to talk to. Not that all adults are to blame, but the society in general has a due. Given that most adults grew up in the poverty-sticken landscape of the 50's and 60's, and through endless work they made somthing of themselves, they took it into great concern that their kids would have all they were deprived of. That resulted into a greek youth that, in sense, by being offered material objects, like videogames, pocket money, trendy clothes, they were compensated for the lack of parental attention, due to the fact that parents didn't want their children to seem left behind the rest. Come by Greek schools, from primary, and you'll see, at least until recently, all the latest fashion trends on small kids. Seriously, why would a 7 year old need designer clothes? And by constantly giving all this effort to provide for their kids, they left out the simple need of family feeling. One can say that this sense of anarchy was a way to obtain the parent's attention, which still didn't listen. Instead, they went further out. Especially with boys, which Greek parents still consider the male chavism, a first grader normally knows already about his "second use" downstairs, and later on is encouraged by his home to have girlfriends and hook up. So, instead of letting the nature of hormones to the get the boy/girl thng started, its almost 'enforced' on the kids. And boys epsecially are started to be considered "men" not at 16 or 18, but by 10 or 12. And fine, matuarity can kick in early. Except in their case, its only a half-benefits-no-consequence thng, that they accept the benefits of "manhood" such as more pocket money and more freedom, but not the responsibilities that come with feeling older, such as thinking about their lives after home or such.

On the economy, all I can say is that, we ourselves are to blame. By voting for politicians for securing a son's or daughter's livehood in the public sector, we overburdened it so much, that not only overdebted it, we also made the bureacracy chaeotic, as well as useless, as so many qualified people were left out. By removing all sense of responsibility on striking, everyone considers their right to strike as theirs, scaring away foreign investement and business opportunities, that workers could strike anytime. Imagine being a shipowner and your vessel, on the least day of renovation, is heldback by the strikes, which happen continously. By keeping the marketshare of largelly contained to specific personal enterprises, which were set up with bad business planning, such as a restaurant with 100 tables in an area where most costumers would be 30, or a fashion shop on brands the girlfriend likes, development of new industries was stagnated. And instead on usefully investing all the extra money the goveremnt was handing out, which were EU aid supposedly for development, the people spent it on nightclubs and luxury materials, with the sense "live life today, cause you never know what tomorrow brings" as well as drive an edge of prestige against each other. Well the "tomorrow" finally came, and here we are. In the UK, tha Labour govt. almost fell due to some "excessive" expenses by members. Here, by the cuts and thefts, almost all major politicians are super rich. However,its not that we never knew about them. We always did. But, by handing us the "benefits" from one hand, and rousing nationalism and ethnic hatred on the other, thay managed to make us their "accomplishes" and remain silent, until they had nothing left to give. By taking advantge of our weakness in failing to accept the success of the person next to us, and wanting to be feel better than the rest, they managed to subdue us.

And, forget the crisis, forget the bailouts, until the society starts to feel and belive in a world of"WE" and not simply "ME", we'll never accomplish anything!