I don't agree with the extract from the novel. That style of teaching doesn't promote any sort of expansion of knowledge, it wants you to know something and leave it the way it is. A good way of teaching, in my opinion, is to give your students something and influence them to grow and expand off that small amount of knowledge of that subject. Art is a great example, there isn't a proper way to do it, contrary to popular belief. Art is self expression, music is art, if we stuck to the old belief that art is only art if the right people say it is we wouldn't have music we have today.

  I think The Mona Lisa Smile is about a boarding school where females go to finish not to learn. A teacher decides to change things and actually set standards for the girls and the girls rebel but in the end conform to the expectations.

 College Exams are stressful and are most of what your grade will be. They can sink you if you don't use your time wisely. Highschool exams are usually only 50 percent of your grade so you have a better chance of passing. Some tools you can use are flashcards and study groups etc.