Day 44
Thursday, October 19, 2006
More on Russ's (is that right? I think it is) post.
I'm thinking back to my schoolin' at Geneva, thinking about when I learned the most and what's helped me since.
The conclusion: classes really didn't help much. Working on my own, however, did. Several professors helped in ways that weren't anchored in the classroom.
What's helped me the most--
- Working on the Cabinet, Chimes and yearbook staffs. I think my year-long stint at Cabinet assistant editor was probably the best thing I did at Geneva. It may've ruined my sleeping pattern (four--I think four--years later and I still have insomnia), but it gave me a near psychotic workload tolerance level. Cal Seerveld is right: art isn't about talent, it's work. Working for sixteen hours straight no longer effects me. In fact, it rebuilds me stronger, faster. Um. Wait.
- The Christian community. I might've isolated myself, but being around fellow believers for five years really matured me and fostered growth in some important areas. I'm still immature in many ways, both emotionally and spiritually, but the college's environment kickstarted some things in me that really needed kickstarted.
- Several professors, including Dr. Kilpatrick(s), Dr. Szabo and Dr. Hanna. Especially Dr. Hanna. He was the best teacher I've ever had--he spent countless hours of his freetime chatting and hanging out with me, talking about writing and life, faith and work, art and my flaws and strengths as a writer. Suhail is definitely one of the most influential people in my life, praise God. He's a wonderful man who has made me a better writer and better human.
posted, with grace and poise, by Jason @ 10/19/2006 11:49:00 PM,
3 Comments:
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At 2:07 PM,
RVWarren said...
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I usually go with Russ', instead of the extra, awkward 's'.
I'm not sure if I agree with your statement: "the best things I got out of college were far from the classroom." That isn't exactly what I was trying to say. I think that the problem I'm running into at college is that colleges are trying to be all things to all people, instead of concentrating on what they are (obstensibly) good at: education and training.
I think it is a problem, though, when colleges try to make themselves into a small sort of town, with student activities running constantly, etc. You end up getting most of your education outside the classroom, then, because comparably little is spent in/on the classroom. Part of the difficulty with town and gown relations is that the colleges try to be both town and gown! No wonder there is a split between the "academics" and the "student affairs" folks. Maybe this is a bit off topic, though. It would make a killer blog entry though! -
At 2:50 PM,
Jason said...
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Maybe I also have no clue what I'm talking about.
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At 4:45 PM,
RVWarren said...
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No, not necessarily. That is a logical next step that can be taken from my post. However, I'm not sure if that's the one I would take. Especially since I'm on a college's payroll...
