Get ready to feel popular. Your inbox is about to become filled with messages asking one question: did you love or hate your classes?

Some may ignore these messages, apathetic towards filling out the online course evaluations for classes that they neither loved nor hated- but not this Gael. I eagerly await the chance to evaluate my classes and professors because, like the online evaluation web site says, I want my voice to be heard.

 Call me crazy, but this semester I have been looking forward to course evaluations since about mid September. Unfortunately, my desire to fill out the course evaluations does not fall under the “I loved my classes” category.

Of course this does not mean that I did not enjoy ANY of my courses this semester, but Gaels between you and me, there are just some classes that I want to rant about. Who better to rant to than the instructors themselves?

Right there – two great reasons to fill out the online evaluations. Not only do you get to tell your professor exactly what you believe they did right or what they should improve on, but you also get to partake in a truly cathartic experience.

Take it from someone who writes a 500 word rant in each of her Ionian columns, writing about exactly what irks you about your classes- or what excites you, let’s not discount that fact- is a great way to end the semester.

After a dreadful experience in a course last semester, a friend of mine wrote a close to 1,000 word evaluation detailing exactly what she liked best and least about a class. Find this odd? There’s nothing odd about being passionate about your education, Gaels.

If we’re going to get a “degree that matters,” then we as Gaels need to be active members in our education.

Choosing not to complete course evaluations is almost like choosing not to vote. Even if you may have lukewarm feelings towards either candidate in an election, citizens still possess a civic duty and right to have a say in their government. In the same regard, as students we are given the opportunity to enact change in our courses.

Gaels, you have all taken philosophy courses and know that as human beings you possess the ability to reason and thus possess opinions. To actively choose not to partake in course evolutions because you do not have an opinion on something is illogical.

It is highly improbable that the brilliant Gaels of Iona College do not all possess unique views on their education that should be shared with the faculty and administration.

Anxious that you may be too harsh in your evaluations? Take it from someone who has issued a few emotionally charged negative critiques- the truth hurts.

Also, just a note to onlineevaluations.com- last year you ranked my evaluations as “relatively easy.”  Let’s just say, challenge accepted. You wanted harsh, and that’s what you’re going to get.

I digress, but you know what I’m getting at Gaels. Sure, I may sound bitter and cynical with a desire to essentially tear some courses apart, but I also look forward to praising the courses I loved.

I’m thinking of my future Gaels who will have to take these courses. Shouldn’t they have the opportunity to take a great course? You can make this happen by simply noting how to change the curriculum for the better.

Think of the children, Gaels.  Put on some aroma therapy candles (unless you live in the residence halls where they are illegal), sing Kumbaya, unleash your feelings and fill out those course evaluations.

To contact The Ionian’s Amanda Kelly, e-mail her at [email protected]