It always seemed natural to me that I would learn life lessons from my family, values from my church, and facts from my teachers. This system proved tried and true for most of my life.
Things changed when I came to college and I realized that professors are more than teachers -- they are mentors. Under the guidance and advisement of some wise professors, I have learned three important life lessons and values during my short time (1.5 years) in college.
1. I learned how to learn.
As a mostly “A” student in high school, I never questioned that I may not know how to learn…or think.
This lesson is two-fold and I credit it to two professors. First, I had a professor who teaches communication studies, but his lessons often reach far beyond a textbook and into the realm of real-life application.
He told our class what I believe to be the secret of college: it is not about what you learn, but it is about learning how to learn. You are going to have classes that do not seem to matter, and you are going to forget the facts and figures you learn in the classes that do matter. So, an important takeaway of your educational career is learning how to learn. With this, you have a skill set that allows you to adapt to your situation. And you will need it one day. The unknown may rear its ugly head in graduate school, a job, or even a relationship, but with the power of knowledge (i.e. knowing how to get it), you can move confidently into a new situation.
Then I met an English professor who taught me how to make this a reality. Her advice came indirectly when she said, “thought does not precede language.” Think of those time when you have said, “I know what it is, but I do not know how to tell you,” well, chances are, you did not really know what it was. So when you are learning, you have to use your words. Write it down or say it out loud. Your language will lead to your thought and you will eventually get to learning.
In summary, I learned that I have to learn to learn and then I learned how to learn.
2. I learned to ask for what I want.
It is simple: people cannot read your mind.
It has always been in my nature to shy away from conflict or anything that may be perceived as conflict. This often translates into me beating around the bush in regards to asking for what I want/need. As simple as this lesson may seem, it is hard to break the notion that being straightforward is not abrupt, rude, or inappropriate; instead it is being clear and easy to understand. This lesson manifests in the classroom, workplace, and relationships. With the help of my leadership professor, both in class and in office hours, I eventually figured this one out.
I learned, not only to ask for what I want, but also to appreciate people who can do the same.
3. There is hope for the procrastinator in me.
I have a professor who recently called me out, because he knows that I procrastinate and that I get away with it. He made the phrase “you are a quick study,” sound like a bad habit, and he was right. He can see through my written-the-night-before paper, not because it is bad, but because he did the same thing.
I learned this lesson, because he learned it. He was well into his career before he figured out that he could break his habit of waiting until the last minute, and thankfully, he shared this with me early in my college career. It is one that I am still working on (this article is due in 45 minutes, as I write), but I know that procrastination does not have to be a part of my identity.
I still have at least two more years of schooling to go, but I am thankful to report that I am already growing. I am working to apply the lessons and values I have learned to the rest of my time in academia.
So, next time your professor calls you into his office hours, consider that he/she may be teaching you more than how to edit your paper; and take advantage of the mentors that you have during your short time in college.
