In several previous posts, I have focused on the pursuit of knowledge, not only as it pertains to your schoolwork and the development of your study skills, but also as it pertains to life experiences and how they can be opportunities to further your learning. I have suggested watching Jeopardy!, bonding with grandparents and other treasured adults by exploring their interests and/or teaching your technology skills to them, and exploring in your own hometown and/or on vacation as ways to expand your knowledge beyond school walls and course expectations. I have also suggested that you find inspiration by expanding current interests and/or exploring new ones. While each and every one of these are suggestions I hope you have already taken or plan to take at some point, they are far from the only ways to pursue knowledge. In addition to thinking about these and other ways to pursue knowledge, another important aspect of gaining knowledge is finding ways to expand your knowledge base and learning to appreciate the knowledge you have gained. The more willing you are to not only learn new things, but to appreciate what you’ve learned, the more your new knowledge will positively impact both your studies and your life.
For many students, the very definition of knowledge begins and ends with their studies. Whatever they do outside of classes, be it in extracurricular activities, with friends and family, or through their life experiences, they never think about the learning that can and should be taking place. To a point, of course, this is a good thing – sometimes, you should be able to just be, without needing to learn, and at other times, any learning that is happening should occur without you needing to think about it. When occasions to actively learn do arise, however, be sure to take advantage of them. No matter what the subject or situation may be, try to observe, listen, and/or ask questions. When any sort of active participation is involved, be sure to take part in the activity as best you can, ask for any assistance or accommodation you might need, and participate not only as well, but also as enthusiastically, as possible. If you are not initially interested in a topic or activity that someone you are with wishes to discuss or to do, it can be only too easy to avoid it at all costs or only participate grudgingly. It should be fairly obvious that neither of these approaches are conducive to learning, and that having a more open mind toward new knowledge, activities, and experiences will not only lead to more knowledge, it might just lead to more enjoyment as well.
Just as being open to new knowledge, activities, and experiences is important outside of school, so it is important in school as well. Though I am sure this was not nearly as true at the height of the pandemic as it was before and is hopefully starting to be again, in-school activities, special events, and elective classes often provide opportunities to pursue knowledge that it can be tempting not to take advantage of as fully as you should. Knowing events, activities, and/or elective classes will not be graded at all or will not be graded as strictly as classes in required and/or more academic subjects will be is often an invitation to students not to take them seriously, whether due to lack of interest, peer pressure, and/or the inability to understand and appreciate their purpose and the learning opportunities they represent. Striving to appreciate the less rigorous, more broad and creative ways to pursue and gain knowledge, instead of writing them off as less important, too easy, boring, or unnecessary to your success, is yet another way not just to develop your study skills, but also to become a more well-rounded person. Even if you already do approach events, activities, and electives you are interested in with a view to enjoying them and gaining knowledge from them, try to go the extra mile and take the same approach even when you aren’t, and don’t think you will ever become, interested. There are certain things you may never truly like, or do particularly well, but if you are open to them anyway, you might just surprise yourself and gain new knowledge after all.
In addition to taking advantage of every opportunity to pursue new knowledge, both in school and out, it is just as important to appreciate the breadth, depth, and variety that exists, not only among different topics and areas of interest, but within them as well. If you have ever taken an elective course that included the word “appreciation” in the title, you may have some idea what I mean, since those courses usually include a sampling of works from different eras and/or in different styles. Whether or not you have ever taken such a course, being open to different varieties and genres, whether in art, music, literature, sports, or anything else, is a great way not only to expand your knowledge base, but also to develop new interests and gain an understanding of where people who already have such interests are coming from. When you keep your focus too narrow, whatever the topic, you run the risk of missing out on new knowledge and interests to pursue. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have a favorite, or that you shouldn’t pour more energy into it than you do any new thing that comes along. Rather, it simply means that you shouldn’t dismiss new and different things out of hand. You will never know what you will come to like, and maybe even love and want to pursue further, if you don’t try to gain as much knowledge from and appreciation of new things as possible. Being open to learning new things in all areas of life, as well as to appreciating the breadth, depth, and variety inherent within them, has the additional benefit of having a positive impact on your study skills, because the more you learn to appreciate what you are learning, the more focus and dedication you will be able to bring to everything you do.
In all areas of life, both in and out of school, there is much to be gained, and nothing to lose, by increasing your ability and willingness to pursue knowledge in all its forms and varieties. The more willing you become to appreciate what you are learning and the knowledge you are gaining, regardless of expectations being placed on you and the level of interest you may or may not have in a subject or topic, the more able you will be improve your study skills and increase your success. You don’t have to like everything you are learning, and you certainly don’t have to love it, but if you are open to it, you may just surprise yourself and learn to appreciate it after all.