And probably also because I see teachers taking the same shortcuts I took, I know how they are being lazy, too.

Having taken subjects at all three of SA’s universities, I can say that Adelaide University was the worst in teaching quality (UniSA was probably the best), but I think that ultimately this made me a better student. Part of the problem you had (where you thought you knew better than the tutor) is exactly the opposite of a problem. If you understand the issue enough to debate on a level with the tutor, it shows you’ve had independent thought about the subject, which implies a pretty thorough understanding.

On the other hand, by far the best lecturer I ever had (who was also head of the Department at the time) was so across his subject that he would show up to lectures without notes, lecture beautifully for an hour, and we would all leave with an almost perfect understanding of the material. I didn’t need to do any study for the exams, just attending the lectures made the subject clear enough, even though it was an Electrical Engineering subject which I typically struggled with.

I guess maybe when you’re paying a lot more for university education, you expect a more organised, seamless experience. When I did my course (and you did your first) you didn’t expect to be led through a course, but since you weren’t paying (or not much, at least) you didn’t mind.