Welcome to exam week, the hopeless period of nonexistent student productivity.
Unfortunately, it’s also the week when productivity is most imperative. At this point in the semester, I typically find it difficult to stay focused on my academic work, let alone make time for other hobbies.
Despite this, I always make it a point to maintain a certain level of independent education throughout the year. In fact, I believe that education outside of the classroom is just as important and should be pursued more extensively than simply inside the classroom.
This semester has been one of the most intellectually rewarding for many reasons, specifically because of challenging classes and encouraging professors. What I’ve come to believe, though, is that my education has extended far beyond the classroom.
Now that I’m taking classes more in line with my major and, subsequently, my interests, I’ve noticed several instances where something the instructor said sparked my interest and prompted me to look into it later. Education shouldn’t be limited to within the walls of a classroom; I believe one can learn exponentially more independently.
Many of the things we learn in college are exclusively theoretical; depending on the field of study or specific class, you may seldom learn about the application of the education in your day-to-day life. Applying your education provides a unique edge of experience that can only be obtained outside of the classroom.
For example, I often apply things I learn in my political science and philosophy courses to modern issues throughout the world. The education also assists me in understanding those complex issues or even to speculate about a solution. Any field of study can be viewed this way.
It’s often easy to lose sight of the importance of our education. Many tend to perceive college as merely another roadblock or obstacle to overcome in life, but it doesn’t have to be. Universities exist to prepare us for the next stages of life, including a career; however, education is also valuable in itself.
I’ve noticed that many students, including myself, study only for the test. What I mean to say is that we learn what we need to learn to do well on a test and we tend to forget everything we’ve been taught the moment we step out of that classroom.
College isn’t just another stage in life and, like most things, you only get what you put into it. Our education should be intellectually challenging and rewarding.
It should prompt us to think more critically about everything in our lives. It should empower us to overcome greater problems. Every day of class should break down all of your values, beliefs and opinions.
Many students take their education for granted; those individuals forget the fact that many around the world lack the resources and infrastructure of a nurturing environment required for the higher level instruction we enjoy. To be educated is a privilege. Because of that, it also provides us with a responsibility to use it. Many let it go to waste, however.
Instead, it’s approached with a mentality of, “I’ll do what I need to get my diploma and then get on with life.”
If that’s your philosophy, a diploma is little more than an expensive proof-of-purchase sticker.
Universities have so much more to offer and I implore you to take advantage.
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