I think it’s a pretty well known fact that school is stressful. I mean classes have just begin and we college students are already up to our necks in homework, notes studying and lots of due dates that we are probably going to procrastinate on. However, at some point, in the midst of all the less than three hours of sleep, hair pulling, literally crying (when your work decides to delete!!!!), poisonous amounts of caffeine, curling up into fetal position, and trying not to die, we must recognize the significance of what we have at our fingertips. Only then can we transform our mindsets into valuing our education for all it’s worth.

Don’t your education for granted. This is the first step towards developing a more productive mindset for school. We all encounter those times when our only reaction towards school and school work is “Uggggggghhhhh,” but we must acknowledge that the opportunities we have for increasing our knowledge and growing more skilled in a certain field is a great privilege. There are a number of countries in which you would be lucky if you completed high school. There were also numerous times in history when various groups (blacks, women, and people outside of nobility) were deprived the opportunity to learn to simply read and write. Since we have more than all these opportunities, and resources literally at our fingertips, let us take advantage!

Desire knowledge just like you breathe air because knowledge is a breath of fresh air if you think about it. Our world is so full of various topics and subjects, and yes, all of them will not interest you but it is such a unique experience to feel yourself growing more knowledgeable in a topic, even one that is not quite your cup of Starbucks. Do not deprive yourself.

I was a little bit more than not too amused when I signed up for the one science class I knew I would have to take at some point. Geology, gross. I mean what in the world does that have to do with my political science major?? Absolutely nothing. However, after this first week, I actually became interested in learning about the deep parts and cycles of the earth.

Engage yourself. Instead of viewing our courses as a job, chore, or checklist, we must view it as an experience. Don’t just count pages as you read (and I promise you that actually makes the reading take longer). Truly engage your mind in the topic and you will finish the reading in no time. Whether the topic is science, history, English, etc., think about what you are learning and its impact on the world, teleport yourself to that time period if you have to, make yourself a character in the narrative, think about your personal reactions to what you read. All these are ways to engage yourself that will make assigned reading a whole different experience while increasing your knowledge.

Look at the bigger picture. If we’re honest a lot of times we could not care less whether or not we learn anything in a class as long as we get that A or B+ (or simply pass it, in some cases). However this kind of mindset is demeaning to your education. We must not care more about grades than we do about grasping the concept of the material we are learning because nine times out of ten when you grasp the concept of the materiel, then it tends to follow that your grades will reflect your actual knowledge instead of a successful all-nighter cramming-groaning-and-memorizing session where you know absolutely nothing the hour after the test.

I am totally guilty of all of the above, but this week in college, I am going to begin this transformation of my mind. I urge you to accompany me on this journey. Always remember that knowledge is something invaluable that no one can ever take from you.