On Being Back in the Classroom

I can honestly say at this point that it’s great to be a student again.  Apart from being able to sleep in on some weekdays/stay out late on some weeknights, being a (formal) student again has allowed me to do what I enjoy most again on a daily basis – learn.

Of course, it sounds cheesy as hell, but I honestly love being in the classroom and taking notes on a new topic.  Like almost anything, our desire to learn can grow if we nurture it and stay curious.  Simply put; the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know, which then only pushes you to know more.  Thus, sitting in a classroom taking notes becomes less of a chore and more of a satisfying-this-unending-desire-to-know-more hobby.

Learning is dope.  One of the most gratifying feelings in the world is knowing that you understand a previously unknown topic.  For example, I had to give a presentation last week on the political system of the European Union – something I previously knew very little about.  So, I read up on it, made a snappy PPT (using those Korean ESL skillz!) and presented it to the class.  And guess what, I now know a little something more about the political system of the EU…feels pretty good!

But then again there are downsides to the student life – mainly being homework.  In Korea I could come from ultimate tournaments, eat a stupid amount of Mom’s Touch, and then go to bed.  In Germany I come home from ultimate tournaments, eat a döner kebap, and then start writing that damn Grafikbeschreibung that’s due every Monday.

Nevertheless, the pros of learning absolutely outweigh the cons, even when that means staying inside to study on this sunny and beautiful Thursday evening.