Tomorrow I begin my first day at a new “big girl” job and the following week I will begin my last semester of college. Like most students who are about to graduate college and begin life in the “real” world, I am nervous and anxious, but not for the reasons you may expect.
So what scares me most about graduating? I fear that I will stop learning. Weird- right? Before you scoff let me say that I am well aware that learning doesn’t have to take place in a classroom and there is more to learn than a textbook can teach you. I’ve spent my senior year finishing up with classes in both my majors but also taking classes like Biology, Human Limits, and Mass Media because I want to learn more and explore things that I’ve never had the opportunity to understand before.
I know that graduating does not mean that my journey for knowledge will end but I am saddened that I can no longer take classes for fun. Knowing that my class taking days will soon be over, I have acquired a large pile of books to ensure that my learning doesn’t stop. Richard Preston will help me explore the undiscovered species in tree tops, Jane Goodall will share her story of life with Chimpanzees, Jon Krakauer will take me to the top of Everest, and Tolstoy will help me appreciate classic literature.
My passion for reading and learning developed when I was incredibly young. My nose was always buried in a book about plants and animals. So many children see school and learning as something that they have to do. Instead I have always wanted to learn and I hope others will develop the same appreciation for learning.
It doesn’t matter if you are in school, a grown adult, or have young children, learning never ends. Open your eyes and mind to the world around you and learn something new and encourage your children to do the same.
“I live in two worlds. One is a world of books.” –Gilmore Girls
The world of books holds endless possibilities. It is a world of curiosity, comfort, and exploration. It is a world that I have grown to love and appreciate and I hope that you will too. Pick up a book and remember that learning is not tedious it is a privilege and something to be celebrated