5 Ways To Culture Yourself
Start writing a post
Entertainment

5 Ways To Culture Yourself

Becoming more cultured is about making the effort to expand your horizons and educate yourself.

1775
5 Ways To Culture Yourself
Logo Database

Many people wish they were more cultured. They wish they were better versed in literature, movies, art, etc. The list goes on. What most people do not realize is that becoming cultured does not have to cost hundreds of dollars in tickets to the opera. Becoming more cultured is about making the effort to expand your horizons and educate yourself. There are a myriad of ways to culture yourself. Here are a few of them.

1. Read a classic novel.

flickr.com

Most people are more likely to pick a book from a recent bestseller list than they are to pick a book revered as a classic of literature. Classics are classics for a reason! They are truly timeless parables that have endured the test of time and an ever-changing world. Remember that "classic" does not necessarily mean Charles Dickens or Leo Tolstoy; there are plenty of books written in the last century in more modern language, hailed as classics for the beauty of their writing and the complexity of the stories they tell. Try an author or a sub-genre of literature you have never read before — you may find a new favorite!

2. Watch a classic movie.

reactiongifs.us

(So you know all about Citizen Kane: rosebud, some guy with a mustache, something about a snow globe, and you've probably seen this GIF a million times)

Basically, "Citizen Kane" is the greatest movie in the world that no one has actually seen. See what all the hype is about. You may hate the movie, but having an authentic opinion about it beyond, "it's the best movie ever" will allow you to engage in upper-level discussion about it — very cultured indeed! Remember, classic does not necessarily mean black and white. I recently saw "Pulp Fiction" for the first time, and I am so glad I watched it. Experiencing critically acclaimed works of art is great because it allows you to form your own opinions about movies and literature, expanding your mind and enabling you to analytically think about the things you see.

3. Collect quotes.

This is one of my favorites. I recently started keeping a journal of quotes where I write down passages and phrases from books that I find particularly moving and beautiful. I started doing it over winter break with the books I was reading for fun, but since the start of the new semester, I have been jotting down my favorite passages from the books for my classes (as a politics and English double major, I have a lot of reading). Some time ago, I began keeping my favorite literary quotes in a note on my iPhone, but I think it's nice to have a journal dedicated solely to passages I find inspiring — a little culture notebook, if you will. It's nice to open it up and see all those beautiful words written down. What I love the most about collecting quotes is that I do not choose these quotes to impress someone in everyday conversation; rather, they are just for me, because I enjoy them. It's important to keep in mind that becoming more cultured is not simply for the sake of appearing or being explicitly more cultured. Rather, becoming cultured should be for yourself, so you can be more happy, fulfilled and inspired in your life.

4. Try something new.

ill-show-you-later.tumblr.com

We all have something that we've always wanted to try. Why not bite the bullet and go for it? Whether it's acting, painting, kickboxing or badminton, trying something new will help you acquire a new skill set and an appreciation for something you've never experienced before. You'll have fun doing it, and you'll expand your horizons in the process. Get outside your comfort zone and make it happen!

5. Talk with other people.

patriciaddrury.com

Don't just talk to other people; talk with them. Engage in conversation with other people. It's easy to forget that every single person on this earth leads a life that is equally as interesting and complex as yours. By conversing with other people, you will be introduced to new perspectives, new worldviews, new facts and new opinions. Discuss a book you've read, a movie you've seen, a favorite quote, or a new activity you've started. By reciprocating conversation with other people, you will become enriched with the thoughts and feelings of others. You can transcend the boundaries of your own life experience by learning about another person's unique life experience — something that, unlike a trip to a foreign country, you cannot put a price on.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

49919
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

31838
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955339
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180510
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments