2008 Woodie Awards
Learning Outside the Classroom
Lindsay Lane
Issue date: 10/16/06 Section: Life & Times
- Page 1 of 1
We live in a society which, regardless of political views, is filled with problems.
As students, we are all learning about these as they relate to our classes and the real world. My friends and I sit on our front porch vainly trying to answer the question, "What is wrong with the world today?" We usually come up with some interesting theories, but very few produce a means to change the society in which these problems exist.
Most students at Rollins can devote their entire college career to being full-time students. This idea carries over into our personal lives, and we start learning about what we as individuals believe in. During this time of intellectual growth, we are faced with the harsh reality check that we don't agree with what is going on in our lives. We start to align ourselves with causes that we truly believe in.
The problem that most students face is at this point: Many people realize that there are problems in the world, but very few know what to do about it. Rollins focuses its curriculum to direct us towards global citizenship, which makes us realize that problems, like relationships with other countries, are not isolated. Everything that we do affects someone else, and because of this consciousness, we are sometimes unsure if what we are doing is actually fixing the real problem.
The best thing that we as students can do is what we are already doing: learning. At this point in our lives, we should take advantage of the opportunities to learn more not only in classes, but from other students. If we all got together and let our opinions be heard, we would have a better collective understanding of our world and what to do about the problems that we all face.
Once we can recognize what our problems are, we will be better able to actually fix them. If you believe in a cause, stand by it. Find other people who share your view. This will help you to better understand what you do and don't like about the society that you live in.
There are many different organizations on campus and in the Winter Park community that can provide an outlet for change. Political and interest groups in particular provide ways for students to vocalize their opinions and make their ideas known. They can also focus a collective effort to produce change.
As students, our primary focus should be on learning both in and outside of the classroom. We are given a tremendous opportunity to be surrounded by our intellectual peers at this time of growth, and we should foster this growth with action. Stand by what you believe in and others may follow.
As students, we are all learning about these as they relate to our classes and the real world. My friends and I sit on our front porch vainly trying to answer the question, "What is wrong with the world today?" We usually come up with some interesting theories, but very few produce a means to change the society in which these problems exist.
Most students at Rollins can devote their entire college career to being full-time students. This idea carries over into our personal lives, and we start learning about what we as individuals believe in. During this time of intellectual growth, we are faced with the harsh reality check that we don't agree with what is going on in our lives. We start to align ourselves with causes that we truly believe in.
The problem that most students face is at this point: Many people realize that there are problems in the world, but very few know what to do about it. Rollins focuses its curriculum to direct us towards global citizenship, which makes us realize that problems, like relationships with other countries, are not isolated. Everything that we do affects someone else, and because of this consciousness, we are sometimes unsure if what we are doing is actually fixing the real problem.
The best thing that we as students can do is what we are already doing: learning. At this point in our lives, we should take advantage of the opportunities to learn more not only in classes, but from other students. If we all got together and let our opinions be heard, we would have a better collective understanding of our world and what to do about the problems that we all face.
Once we can recognize what our problems are, we will be better able to actually fix them. If you believe in a cause, stand by it. Find other people who share your view. This will help you to better understand what you do and don't like about the society that you live in.
There are many different organizations on campus and in the Winter Park community that can provide an outlet for change. Political and interest groups in particular provide ways for students to vocalize their opinions and make their ideas known. They can also focus a collective effort to produce change.
As students, our primary focus should be on learning both in and outside of the classroom. We are given a tremendous opportunity to be surrounded by our intellectual peers at this time of growth, and we should foster this growth with action. Stand by what you believe in and others may follow.
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