19 November 2008

Education vs. Schooling

You know, it's funny, but I'm in an Honours Writing class and today the teacher talked about how trying to get a C in a class would change our university experience. She talked about how it would give us new insights to life and learning, among other things.

While I haven't been trying to earn a C in any of my classes (my presence in an Honours Writing class should give good indication to that), I have realised that, in some small way, I have been following some of the principles my instructor discussed.

As a resident assistant, my life has become one of service to my floor and building. I've given a lot of time to others to help them with papers and other assignments, putting my faith in God to bless me in m studies. And I've seen Him come through. As I've trusted that my service would help someone else, I've seen my own studies greatly blessed (and I've felt very rested on little sleep). In fact, I'm doing better this semester than my previous two--and I feel like I'm studying less.

It's pretty weird, but I have learned a lot as I've put my education (about life and all other subjects) in front of my schooling. I've learned more overall.

So to all you uptight Honours students, don't favour your schooling above your education. Put others first, and trust that the Lord will bless you. I've seen it.

4 comments:

  1. And I thank you so very much for your assistance, and your willingness. It's helped me, so much. There's no telling what my papers would be like, if you didn't help.


    Thanks. So much

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  2. Good for you, Lee J. I guess it could be interesting to try to get a C, but I'm pretty sure the stakes are too high. Why mar your transcript? In my opinion, it's kind of like saying, how about you sin, and then repent, and it'll make you appreciate the Savior better. Right? Well, it is better to not have to repent, even though it's possible. And it's better to help others than to be selfish with your time. Good ideas.

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  3. Dallin, you missed the entire point. Since when were the stakes too high to be an instrument in the hand of God? To compare a poor mark to sinning is way beyond anything. The idea isn't to understand the subject better. It's to understand LIFE better. No one can argue that when your head is stuffed in books, your eyes can't see what is beyond them.

    And while it may be the season of our life to spend in the books, why can't we try to look beyond them? Why can't we have other experiences? The most Christlike person I know isn't an 'A' student. But she doesn't care. She knows some things are more important than the marks on your transcript--the marks on your soul. Don't trade one for the other. Jesus wouldn't

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  4. Lee,
    I'm just a Dad in Bountiful who saw an article in LDS Living about Professor Holzapfel's blog assignment for his students and I'm reading through your all's blogs with the thought of maybe starting my own in the spirit of Elder Ballard's suggestion.
    I enjoyed reading and was impressed with your observations of the impact your service as a resident assistant had not only on the ones you served but on yourself.
    Though I'm not a BYU grad (notice the University of Virginia hat in my picture) five of my seven children are.
    Keep up the good work.
    Richard

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