For the Love of Learning

I thought the electives I took were interesting.  I can understand not wanting to take them because they aren’t directly related to what you want to do with your degree, and they’re also more money out of your pocket, but I think they should be looked at with an open mind.  In class the other week, we discussed the idea of learning for the love of learning….and that’s how I viewed electives.  I majored in Spanish and Psychology at Kent State but I took an elective class in astronomy my freshman year and I LOVED IT!  I was interested in stars before I took the class; I’ve always thought the sky was beautiful and thought it was neat that I could find the Little Dipper. Taking the class taught me so much more than I was expecting to learn. I can identify consolations I learned from that class still, and it peaked my interested enough back then to continue reading up on astronomy to this day (I especially enjoy reading about meteor showers and then watching them in amazement).  So, I didn’t end up being a scientist, but that class interested me enough to continue learning about the topic…..why? because I find it interesting! I received an A in the class and now that the ‘pressure of learning’ is no longer there, I’m free read about things and teach myself at my own pace.  So isn’t that the whole point of education? Inspiration…the desire to learn….

I also took a geology course at Kent for an elective…..I think it was the summer after my sophomore year.  I enjoyed the class…loved the teacher, he was so passionate about what he was teaching and it inspired me to pay attention and give his perspective a chance.  I learned a lot in the class and to this day, when driving in the mountain, I look at the terrain through different eyes.  However, unlike my astronomy class, I don’t read up about anything geology related.  Even though I ended up with an A in the course, the topics didn’t excite me the way the astronomy topics excited me.  That’s what learning is about…figuring out what you like and don’t like.  I gave geology a shot, but it wasn’t for me..and that’s okay!

I think if electives are look at as a way to learn something now and out of the ordinary, you’ll appreciate them more….and probably end up learning more from them.  On the other hand, if you look at them as an obligation…you probably won’t get much out of them.  It’s all about perspective really…and your attitude.  If this is your ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY to take a class on astronomy, geology, a foreign language, or even bowling…why not take it and ENJOY the learning experience? When will you have a better opportunity to have someone teach you something new than in college?  That’s what it’s all about in the long run….learning new things…broadening your horizon….stretching yourself intellectually….right?