How is School Going?

"How is school going?"  How many times does a college student hear that question in the course of their student career?  How is it typically answered?  Many times it is answered pretty much the same way as the question, "How are you?"  As a student, I have certainly answered it that way myself, "School is fine."  or "It's interesting." or some similar expression.  Unfortunately, I just as often hear such responses as, "It's a drag!" or "School sucks!" and other negative comments.  These responses make it seem that students are unhappy at school and find it a harsh experience, at least on the surface.  In high school this was the case perhaps and certainly the prevailing "cool" attitude.  After all, high school was forced on the student.  College is different.  Yes, there is pressure, sometimes immense pressure to go to college, but ultimately college is still a choice.  And despite the negativity voiced, I have also seen students spending the time and effort to achieve success in college and so know that they really do want to learn, even enjoy learning new things.  Why then, do they answer the question negatively?  Is it fear of rejection?  What if we, as students, stop making it "uncool" to enjoy learning?  What if instead, we showed our appreciation and approval?  Acceptance is a powerful weapon.   The new semester is starting and I have returned to school looking forward to all the new experiences.  So I am resolved to find ways to let every student I can know that I think the better of them for continuing with their education and share with them my joy of learning. 

Comments

[Mary]

I loved this post so much that it inspired me to write my own. Thank you. As a former college adviser, I'm so encouraged to hear that you want to spread your love of learning to your classmates and to encourage them to get involved in their own learning experience. Wonderful post.

[michael]

just ran across your blog - some nice posts. thought a book i created might be of interest to your readers - Getting To The Quad - www.gettingtothequad.com

[pjbrowne]

Staying positive after classes begin is often hampered by the physical changes in your brain due to stress. Determination to stay positive is a good start. But it's physically hard to feel and show appreciation for learning when you are stressed out, as many student are. Here's a creative webpage with some hassle-free tips for reducing stress, and good info about stress. There are some great videos-one is hilarious- and another that is a clip from the National Geographic special "Stress, Portrait of a Killer" featuring Stanford Professor Robert Sapolsky. http://www.squidoo.com/stressreductionsimplified