Our Infinite Learning Curves
Start writing a post
Student Life

Our Infinite Learning Curves

The first year of college is literally just months of being brand new, lost, and for the most part dependent on every one else’s patience.

74
Our Infinite Learning Curves
nerdglaze

It’s extremely humbling to be brand new at something. The first year of college is literally just months of being brand new, lost, and for the most part dependent on every one else’s patience. I also decided to try a brand new sport and walk onto the rowing team as a novice. If you think being a baby first year isn’t humbling enough, I encourage you to pick up a new sport and then learn new skills in the same boat as some of the team’s varsity members. There’s some stress for you.

While crew is physically demanding, I find most of my struggle is mental. I think constantly, wondering exactly where my body should be at which time or how fast I should be moving in order to keep up with the person in front of me. Sure, I’m slowly developing blisters on both of my hands, and sometimes stairs are a challenge after conditioning, but my mind definitely feels the most pressure after each practice. I’ve studied some psychology, and I’ve learned a bit about equine therapy, so I’m familiar with the idea that brains have little pathways that help us make connections and decisions. Learning new skills can help us make even more pathways, leading to better decisions and probably many more benefits that I would need to read about to really understand. So, I like to imagine that every time I figure something out, whether on campus or in a boat, a tiny pathway starts to form. Scientifically, that’s probably super false, but the image is great to remember when my day might not have gone as well as I had hoped.

What I’ve discovered since the start of school is that I absolutely love learning curves. A learning curve is literally how quickly or slowly someone learns something. And what I like so much about learning curves is that every one is on one. Learning curves are absolutely infinite; everyone just moves at their own pace. Although it’s sometimes hard to believe, professors, coaches, and parents are on learning curves. We learn from our own mistakes and our own successes. Professional athletes are on the same exact learning curves as novice athletes. While they may not make as many mistakes, they are definitely still learning.

I remember one of my classmates in high school talking to a first grader. The first grader asked her what she was going to do after graduation, and my classmate responded with “I’m going to be a student.” The first grader thought it was odd that she was graduating in order to learn more, and my classmate continued to insist that she would always be a student because she will never stop learning. I’m not sure she will remember saying this, but I won’t forget it. It’s extraordinarily comforting to me to remember that we will never stop learning. I will keep reading and keep trying and keep practicing, and even if the majority of my attempts end in failure, I will still be learning. None of my learning curves will end, and why would I want them to anyway? It takes away all pressure to be perfect. If my learning curve ended, where would I go from there? If I were perfect, what would I have to work towards? Honestly, college can be a very stressful place. Why else would there be cookies and milk every night in our common room if people didn’t need to stress eat a little? Life, in general, can be stressful, but if we stop focusing on perfection just for a minute and start focusing on actually learning new skills that interest us, the stress may decrease just a bit.

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.

58579
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?

37769
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.

959342
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.

194271
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