This probably requires a bit of unpacking. "Collections" are termly examinations that are set to ensure that students are on top of their material. "Master's Collections" are yearly interviews with the college's Master. The usual format is that they take place within the Master's study, along with the two tutors in the subject, and the Senior Tutor (whose job it is to organise the academics). It is a very formal affair, and all parties, including the student, wear their academic gowns.
The student usually comes in, sits at a big table, and the two tutors in engineering (myself and my colleague, in this case) give their opinion on the progress of the student. It is, by tradition, not an easy ride for the student. The Master then continues the interview with the student. If the reports from the tutors had been bad in one particular area, he will often choose to drill into it further. If the reports were glowing, the Master will try to make sure that the student continues to try hard.
So, in all this, the student is usually on the defensive. It generally counts for quite a lot, subjectively: one only has three or four Master's Collections in their undergraduate career, and they tend to be quite tough.
So, with that background out of the way, onto the haiku.
The academics were gathered, the gowns were on, the Master was frowning under his big, bushy, FRS eyebrows. The student was reclining in his chair, looking casual, as he received his assessment, which was not glowing. Under his academic gown, appropriately enough, as if masterminding the entire operation, instead of an academic shirt, the grinning skeletal face of none other than Skeletor leered at us.
This probably requires a bit of unpacking. "Collections" are termly examinations that are set to ensure that students are on top of their material. "Master's Collections" are yearly interviews with the college's Master. The usual format is that they take place within the Master's study, along with the two tutors in the subject, and the Senior Tutor (whose job it is to organise the academics). It is a very formal affair, and all parties, including the student, wear their academic gowns.
ReplyDeleteThe student usually comes in, sits at a big table, and the two tutors in engineering (myself and my colleague, in this case) give their opinion on the progress of the student. It is, by tradition, not an easy ride for the student. The Master then continues the interview with the student. If the reports from the tutors had been bad in one particular area, he will often choose to drill into it further. If the reports were glowing, the Master will try to make sure that the student continues to try hard.
So, in all this, the student is usually on the defensive. It generally counts for quite a lot, subjectively: one only has three or four Master's Collections in their undergraduate career, and they tend to be quite tough.
So, with that background out of the way, onto the haiku.
The academics were gathered, the gowns were on, the Master was frowning under his big, bushy, FRS eyebrows. The student was reclining in his chair, looking casual, as he received his assessment, which was not glowing. Under his academic gown, appropriately enough, as if masterminding the entire operation, instead of an academic shirt, the grinning skeletal face of none other than Skeletor leered at us.
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
Perhaps the student ought rather to have invoked the "power of Greyskull?"
ReplyDeleteI actually use that phrase quite regularly - true story :)
ReplyDeleteToodlepip,
Hobbes