Keiko: Well, I think it's because, to some extent, they are like prisoners, prisoners in a cram school. They can't have much social life before they enter the university, and finally they have this freedom after they enter the university. Now, in fact, this is their first and last chance to have fun with their friends, because they have to start working after four years, and they have to study every day before going to school and college, so I think they are trying to make the most of their school life.
Keiko: I think it's because they think their previous life is restricted like prisoners. You know they used to have to go to cram school. They didn't have much social life before they went to college. After going to college, they were finally free. This is their first and last chance to have fun with friends. Because they will enter the workplace in four years and study hard every day before going to college, I think they are trying to make full use of college life.
Todd: So when you were in college, was your circle or club more important than your actual study?
Todd: When you were in college, was your social circle more important than your study?
Keiko: No, actually, I'm a little different, because I always hear that Japanese students don't study hard in college, so I said to myself, well, I won't do that.
Keiko: That's not true. My situation is a little different. I often hear people say that Japanese students don't study hard in college, so I say to myself, well, I won't do that.
Todd: Oh, wow, that's very admirable.
Todd: Oh, wow, that's commendable.
Keiko: However, I am one of the university organizers and the organizer of university festivals. I am one of them. I have been doing it for two years, but I also try to study as hard as I can, you know, by obtaining the qualification certificate of primary school teachers and writing my thesis, my graduation thesis. This is strange, because many of my friends told me that their graduation thesis was about 20 pages long, and it took them only two weeks to finish it.
Keiko: So I did it. I am one of the organizers of the university celebration. I am a member. I have been doing this job for two years. Of course, I also studied hard. You know, I have to take the primary school teacher qualification exam and prepare my graduation thesis. Many friends say that their graduation thesis has 20 pages, but it took only two weeks to write it. I think it is very strange.
Todd: Oh, my God!
Todd: Oh, my God!
Keiko: My professor doesn't allow us to do this, so we have to spend two years on research. We have to write at least 100 pages, so I learned a lot from that project. I am glad that I can balance my college life between entertainment and study.
Keiko: My professor doesn't allow us to do this, so it will take us two years to do research. Our graduation thesis should be at least 100 pages, and I have learned a lot from the research project. I am very happy to balance college life and study.
Todd: One of the things that shocked me in college was that many times children would sleep in class or read books. They don't even listen to the professor, and the professor doesn't look depressed.
Todd: One thing that shocked me in college was that students often slept or read other books in class. The students didn't listen to the professor at all, and the professor didn't look depressed.
Keiko: Yes, it's true.
Keiko: Yes, that's right.
Todd: Why? For example, how can the professor not be angry?
Todd: Why is that? Why isn't the professor angry?
Keiko: I think they understand what the students have been through. I mean, I think it depends on the professor. For example, my professor is very strict, but many professors don't care because they know what they have experienced. When they came to college, they knew their situation. "Ah, yes, let them have fun." If they can pass this course as long as they are still in class, they don't need to do too much homework. Even in the exam, they can pass the notes around. Those who take notes have studied in the past two days, so they can pass this course. I think this is a good way to look at it. I guess they are ultimately responsible for their work.
Keiko: I think the professor knows the students' college life. It depends on the attitude of the professor. For example, my professor is very strict, but many professors don't care because they know what students are going through. They know the state of students after they enter the university. They will think, well, let them have fun. If they can pass the exam without listening, they don't have to do too much homework. Students will pass on class notes to each other before the exam, so those who never take notes can pass the exam with surprises two days before the exam. I think on the bright side, yes. I think they still have some work to do in the end.
Keiko: Right.
Keiko: Right.
Todd: Well, it's very interesting.
Todd: Yeah, it's interesting.