Not All Things Learned Are Taught
Start writing a post
Student Life

Not All Things Learned Are Taught

99% sure there isn't a class on feelings.

29
Not All Things Learned Are Taught

I'm typing this while sitting on my hand-me-down couch in my hand-me-down apartment as the school season winds down for the 17th year of my life.

More recently, four years of consistency, friendships and, much to my chagrin, knowledge.

The hand-me-down television in front of me plays the familiar sounds of the Kardashians, but I'm not paying attention (as far as you know). It's a sign that I've survived, well, everything so far, and the pettiness that blasts through the TV makes a clear point to me-

Life goes on.

Cliche, right?

Yeah, graduating is sad, especially when you have no idea what you're going to do over the next few months (a story for another post), but what's worse is having to leave the people you so dearly love and part ways with the only thing you've known since your arrival.

Ah, campus housing, campus meals, campus mail...campus e-mail...

Everything is provided here. It definitely costs, but the means are in our hands.

But I'd argue that the one thing college doesn't provide is the knowledge you come here seeking. Heck, you learn so many things through your time at your respective school, but the greatest lessons gleaned from these institutions isn't something manufactured in a classroom.

You learn self-discipline- a long-tried virtue whose teaching points just plain suck. It goes further than simply telling yourself not to eat that extra brownie. It's not heading down that dark path that just seems so easy, or turning "me time" into time for caring about the welfare of others, or using that extra cash for something more beneficial than food (if that's possible, I applaud you).

You learn that the world is greater than your little sliver of your social club or athletic team. That, while it's important to take care of yourself, there's no reason to care what others think about you. Go to Walmart in your pajamas. Wear your hair up 24/7. And if you feel like it, dress the heck up! Wear heels to class (if you can walk in them without dying)! Because these things don't matter in the long run- it's about what you're contributing on the way.

You learn how to contribute to your community, your country, Mother Earth, even. Your God-given talent was bestowed on you and for you to steward creation, right? So why not use it to its full extent? And so what you're not into politics or business. You've got people all around you that have an individual story- you realize that helping out "small-scale" is in its way, large-scale.

You learn about reality, about the crushing fate that proceeds most of us, about how "people actually are," about the way power works, about the importance of focus and passion and intuition.

No one goes to college to learn about themselves, but in the end, maybe our diplomas should say Bachelor's Degree of Whatever it Means to be Fully Human.

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.

40450
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?

25046
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.

950727
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.

131995
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