Take ownership of your education

In my oh-so-not-interesting Composition and Rhetoric class the other day, my professor started rambling about education in this world. And actually, it was pretty fascinating. The point was brought up that, come time for college, you would think that students would finally be able to take ownership of their education. I mean, we have a big task in our hands, of making sure that we learn what we want and need and find interesting to learn. However, there are so many road blocks in the way of making that learning experience what it should be. For example: we are in chemistry class and we're doing a lab involving the recycling of aluminum. I raise my hand and say "yo professor, how practical is this recycling process? Is this what they use in the industry? Is this the most effective way to recycle aluminum? ect. ect." because I AM INTERESTED in the topic. The professor most likely would reply "you silly student, that is not in our curriculum. Finish your lab and study for the quiz tomorrow." Ladies and gentlemen, that professor has just completely lost an opportunity to TEACH and LEARN and help a student LEARN and why are we here? TO LEARN! Institutions need to lessen up on their "curriculums" and "requirements" and "graduation standards" (ok that was kind of joking) in order to allow students and teachers to develop meaningful learning in the classroom. I really think we'd all be a lot happier. But I'm not complaining, just rambling. 8 DAYS TILL I'M HOME!