So, I was just looking back through some of my older posts here, and I re-read the one where I was ranting about my classes in the undergrad program at Salamanca. I remember being so incredibly frustrated with those classes. I just wanted to throw my books and papers out my 4th floor window.
But, going back to the States this summer to take my comprehensive exams for my 1st Masters quickly changed my mind. I realized that, even though I had to re-skim some of my notes on the texts and such, that I had actually really gained a huge understanding about the authors and time periods from the very class that I hated.
My comps covered everything from El canto de mío Cid (written around the 12th cent) to films and plays from the 20th and 21st cent. I had to know authors, movements, major works, historical events. Basically if it happened in Spain, and was relatively important, I had to know it. Now, these classes that I hated covered the 15th, 16th, and 17th cent and theater in the 20th. Turns out, when studying for comps, those were the centuries that I felt confident enough in to only review quickly. I was amazed at how much I retained from those classes!! I didn't get to research or investigate some of the amazing topics and themes that were presented to me throughout the classes, but I was able to gain an amazing understanding of the historical development of Spain through (especially) the Golden Ages (which has also become one of my favorite parts of Spanish history to read and study).
Either way, just wanted to say that it's funny how sometimes things that seem horrible at the time really do have a purpose. This is a silly example of that, but it was something I'll never forget going forward with my education. Just because I may not enjoy the set-up of a class doesn't mean that I can't get something from it.
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