Lessons Learned from Back in the Day

One of the neatest experiences of being a high school teacher is those too infrequent visits from recent graduates. I love catching up with them and finding about what they are up to and how they are adjusting to life post-high school. A bit of honesty here - I tell all of my current Grade 12s that my memory is dreadful and please do not be upset if you return and I don't immediately recall your name. Actually...even after some time I probably won't recall your name. Now bizarrely, after a brief awkward moment where I admit to forgetting their name, I will invariably blurt out their last name! Not sure what that says about my brain but I can dig out an obscure surname as soon as I hear a student tell me their given name.

On Friday, I was graced with a visit from two students who graduated in June of 2014 - Jaydev and Nuan. As is my habit, I didn't recall their names but no need to worry. I was about to walk into my Gr 12 Data Management class and asked if they wouldn't mind speaking to these prospective grads about their experience post-high school. I was able to skirt the name issue by asking them to introduce themselves to my class and to talk a bit about their university experience. Aha - got the names! 

I have told all prospective grads about my experience in university but I have been honest about what translates from the time I was in school to now. Some of my experiences are of course DATED! My first year tuition was a grand total of about $1500! I had to attend lectures or ask a friend who did attend for their notes if I missed one - no podcasts or online modules to access. The only technology you saw in a lecture was maybe a personal tape recorder. 

But there are experiences that have transcended the passage of one century into the next - yes it was that long ago. I worked doggedly to understand what I didn't. I left no resources or stone untouched. I accessed office hours, teaching assistants and any other resource that may help me in my pursuit of understanding what I didn't. I tell the prospective grads that when they are paying for the privilege of education that they should get their money's worth! It was so good to hear the recent grads echo this advice in the time they spent with my class.

A common refrain on the first day of my classes is that the best resource that a learner has is probably sitting right near them. We are all on this journey to learning and understanding and the experiences of classmates is most like our own. They are most close to our level of understanding and can help when there are any misconceptions. Jaydev and Nuan related similar experiences to mine. Often we would be sitting in libraries, cafeterias and even in the pub occasionally as we worked through a linear algebra assignment or discussed the reading from philosophical theology. We laughed together, sometimes cried together but most often LEARNED together.

The structure of the day in college or university can sometimes lead to a lot of down time between classes. When you aren't working on the latest assignment or reading it is critical to find an outlet that engages you in another way. I'm not talking about a pub crawl. I'm talking about being involved in a club, activity or something that can be a distraction from all of the pressures of student life. It is not critical that this be connected to your school community but it is helpful to form a connection to your school that is not purely academic. I was a commuter student which presented its own set of challenges but I still tried to be involved. I wrote for the school paper. Jaydev especially stressed this point. He didn't get involved in first year and he felt that disconnect. So he made a concerted effort to get involved. It gives you chances to connect with students that aren't necessarily in your academic program and year. 

Lastly (and predictably I think most important), be open to the path of your passion. I went to school enrolled in a business program. Applied to law school and was admitted to attend Western after two years. Declined that offer and found my passion in a history of math course. Jaydev was initially in health sciences but switched to urban planning when someone recognized something in him that told them that he may like the program. He loves it! Always be open to your bliss as Joseph Campbell would insist. The path may be winding but be open to it and be okay with the occasional detour. 

I wonder if I was to travel back in time and ask a student at the University of Padua  in Renaissance Italy (I have no idea if there is or was a university in Padua) and observed the life of a student if many of these same eternal truths would be evident. The life of being a student - actually of being a lifelong learner may change at the periphery but it doesn't change at its core. With a passion for learning and surrounding yourself with like-minded hungry learners - it is a good life.