The joy of learning
In my first semester, I took General Biology and during the first week of classes we (my classmates and I) had to take a diagnostic test with questions about genetics, mitosis, taxonomy, botany, zoology, microbiology, etc. A little bit of everything. Just the basics. Needless to say we came out of that test thankful that it didn't count as a grade, because we guessed most of it. Classes were given, notes were taken, the semester passed. At the end, when we were going to take the final exam, we were handed that same diagnostic test along with it.
I find it hard to put into words how I felt when I answered that test. Nobody knew that it was coming, so nobody prepared for it, however, I was able to competently answer every single thing. A little voice in my head said "Look, you didn't know any of this 5 months ago, but now it's common knowledge to you. You have mastered the material. Isn't that incredible? You're smarter now. Doesn't it feel great?"
It did feel great and it still does. If it were within my capabilities, then I would have liked to become one of the eternal students. You know the type. Those that study several fields, get MS's and PhD's just for the hell of it. To study Biology and several of it's branches. Then to take on some Art and History, learn a bit of the Humanities. Find out if I'm good enough at languages to learn a 3rd, 4th or 5th one.
*sigh* Sadly, it isn't within my reach. I'll get my BS, then a MS and find work. Maybe I'll be able to obtain a degree of my dream. That's for later consideration. I shouldn't belittle what I do have. Not many have the resources or the opportunity as I have. I'm grateful, very much so. However, it's part of human nature to always desire more than what one has.
I find it hard to put into words how I felt when I answered that test. Nobody knew that it was coming, so nobody prepared for it, however, I was able to competently answer every single thing. A little voice in my head said "Look, you didn't know any of this 5 months ago, but now it's common knowledge to you. You have mastered the material. Isn't that incredible? You're smarter now. Doesn't it feel great?"
It did feel great and it still does. If it were within my capabilities, then I would have liked to become one of the eternal students. You know the type. Those that study several fields, get MS's and PhD's just for the hell of it. To study Biology and several of it's branches. Then to take on some Art and History, learn a bit of the Humanities. Find out if I'm good enough at languages to learn a 3rd, 4th or 5th one.
*sigh* Sadly, it isn't within my reach. I'll get my BS, then a MS and find work. Maybe I'll be able to obtain a degree of my dream. That's for later consideration. I shouldn't belittle what I do have. Not many have the resources or the opportunity as I have. I'm grateful, very much so. However, it's part of human nature to always desire more than what one has.