Study madness
Sep 10th, 2008 by Miranda
Disclaimer: As per Genevieve’s advice, today’s theme is kind of just randomness. It’s one of those days when I just don’t really know what to write exactly so I think some free-thinking/writing might just be what the doctor ordered.
It’s kinda weird being back at school again. Don’t get me wrong, or maybe I am the odd ball out, it’s definitely a good weird, but weird just the same. I missed this busy-ness. It’s a whole different kind of busy-ness isn’t it? On one hand our schedules are more free, none of that 9-5 business, we can choose how to fill the majority of our hours (clubs, greek life, fundraising, volunteering, work, … what am I missing? Oh yeah, and study!). This freedom to choose is nice though there is one emotion that all University students ought to take courses on avoiding: Guilt.
Guilt is kind of like the modern day plague isn’t it. With this new, fresh sense of freedom and choice from the daily grind of our summer-jobs, comes the responsibility of study. Yeah, I mean, I COULD go out and have a few drinks with my friends, but am I just going to be stuck thinking about the chapters I could be reading at home? And this isn’t just the case with students; it’s everywhere. The efficient 24-hour day is losing it’s efficiency. Are 30 Hour days the thing of the future? I mean, we can control everything else in this world – why not be able to control daylight? Its the next logical step isn’t it.
Anyways, this guilt is here to stay. I have 2 more years of my Bachelors left and 2 more years for my Masters so I might as well embrace it. On the plus side, I guess it could be classified as a motivator, even if it is a poor one.
My choice? EMBRACE it, like I might a tree in a whimsical moment.
Note to the New Student: I don’t know if you are going to be taking PSYC 100 but psychology is my Major so I am likely to through in little Psych tidbits and morsels but here’s a little food for thought. Focusing on external or extrinsic types of motivation, like marks, grades, money, external validation, etc. are actually VERY poor motivators and can eventually become de-motivators. The more you think about and focus on the reasons why you personally have chosen to attend University, or more specifically, your personal interests in the courses you are taking, the more likely you are to succeed. Trying to remove yourself from the whole idea of grades is actually quite beneficial especially when it is 4AM and you are cramming for an exam. Remember that it was your choice to be where you are and that you love your studies.
PS If you don’t love your studies, I’m sorry to hear that. Its gunna happen from time to time that there are classes that you just don’t click with, but if they are a means to an end to achieving what you want, then that is the intrinsic motivator you can focus on. As for those of you studying what someone else wanted you to, I have my own advice for you but in light of not wanting to offend your parents, I will keep it to myself. 😉
Hey, I’m a first-year student taking Psych 100. Actually, this is the second time I’m taking it, I’ve already done it in high-school (and didn’t pass the AP exam). I took it again cause I thought it would be more interesting and I would be more motivated. I don’t think this will be the case, however.
It’s initially very interesting, but the course is so broad it’s hard to maintain that interest as we’re quickly shuffled from section to section. I’m thinking about dropping psych 100 even, but I am curious about some of the higher-level courses. Do you think it’s worth powering through? Will it get more interesting later on? As a psych major I guess I probably know what you’re going to say, but think of it from my perspective: At the moment I only have a passing interest in psychology, and I have no idea what I want to major in. Could be psych, maybe sociology, maybe even literature, I’m totally clueless.
I’d appreciate any advice on the matter, cheers
Silviu
Hi Silviu,
I totally know what you mean about the class being very broad. This is unfortunately my experience with the majority of 100-level classes. What is there to do about it? Well.. not much. As for Psychology – its my major so I am definitely going to have to say POWER through!
Honestly, if you are really interested in the types of things that are studied in the class (even though there are many different subheadings included), it gets easier as you go. Psyc 100 just happens to be the gateway to the rest of the Psyc classes really. I mean, I know that for some Psyc courses, there is a way to get around the whole having to take 100 BUT its definitely worth it if you wanna understand much of what is going on in the 200-400 level classes.
It definitely gets more interesting as things go on because you will likely notice that classes get more in-depth on a few subjects rather than cramming in as much as possible.
I am hearing that even though you like what psyc MIGHT have to offer, there are still some confusions around what to take. If you are trying to fill up your schedule though with classes that might lead to something else, Psyc 100 is a good one there. I even took Sociology 100 last year too just to see if it was something that I might be interested in. No matter what you end up majoring in, there is relatively little chance right now that you are going to be “wasting your time” with anything because no matter what you end up in, you will likely need electives (classes outside of your Major) to obtain your degree.
Another way to think about it is that right now you don’t know what you are going to take. If you don’t take Psyc 100, you won’t know if that is something that you might be interested in. If you DO take it and decide that it is not for you, you can at least make a definitive decision. Plus, there is always that option that it will be EXACTLY what you are looking for.
🙂
Thank, that makes me feel a lot better. Well, that and Psych has been getting a bit better in the past couple of weeks. It’s probably the least interesting of my classes still, although really it’s because it also has the least interesting of professors.
I’ve decided to ignore that uneasy feeling of I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M DOING for the moment, because I’ve been told by everyone it’s very normal. I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually.
Thanks,
Silviu