Blog Entry #4 - The Educated Student or the UN-Educated Student?

OK, that didn’t sound right; I mean it’s a bit of a rhetorical question, right?

If we’re talking about students, they ARE educated, or aren’t they?!?

I suppose it’s what you consider a “student.” Technically, we are all students, right? Okay, I really didn’t want you to answer that because; of course the answer is a resounding YES! My dad is 91 years old and guess what? He’s still a student! I know, you’re yelling at my blog saying, “NO WAY!” YES WAY! From the moment of conception (ask me later about that!) until the day we graduate to a different life (no matter your belief about death, when we die we all graduate to a different life) we are constantly learning. 

So, the real question is: Are you pushing yourself daily to learn? If the answer is NO, then you should be!

Just last week, my dad was asking me how we could see my husband on my phone “live” when my husband was in Jordan and we were in Arizona. Simple answer, modern technology. It was hard for him to conceptualize that a phone could do that. But, at 91 years old, he learned something!

Now, I know what you’re saying, ‘Melinda, everyone knows that we learn that kind of stuff, but what are you really referring to?’ Well, I’m glad you asked (or was it me who asked? No, telepathically you asked me)!

Easy answer: Live and Learn. We’ve all heard that old adage. But, have you ever thought about what it really means? Well, you live through experiences and ultimately, you learn from those experiences. In that definition, experience is your teacher. But, are you willing to be the student and learn the lesson it taught you?

How about this Live and Learn moment…In a conversation among your family, your brother says: “If you want to figure out your total income for tax purposes, you will have to extrapolate the information.” And, you’re like: ‘What? Hold up! What was that extra-baloney word he just used?’ Okay, truth time! That really happened to me; of course I was too embarrassed at the time to ask what it meant. So, I did like any good listener does and nodded my head in understanding. The minute he wasn’t looking, you know I looked that word up!

WOW! Just having a regular family conversation, I learned something. And, you know what? I will never forget that word again. In fact, I try to use it when I’m attempting to impress people! Mind you, this word came from my double Master’s degree brother. But, because I chose to learn something, I sound intelligent too, well kinda'.

I guess my point is, we learn our whole lives. How much MORE we choose to learn is up to us. I don’t know about you, but I enjoy learning. When I’m pushed to learn, I do it kicking and screaming. In general though, I do enjoy learning something new.

Melinda's Final Thought….(crowd cheering in the background: Melinda! Melinda! Melinda!) 

No matter what, we are ALL students. We learn every moment that we are alive.

Are you going to choose to be an Educated Student or an UN-Educated Student?

I don’t know, Educated just sounds more scholarly, right?!? Happy Learning!