Were you a fan of studying and homework? I most definitely wasn’t. In fact, there was nothing I used to detest more than having to study for a subject I found boring. I was never much of a mugger; my memory wasn’t good enough for it. When it came to studies, I had to be interested in what I was learning— only then was I fully be able to absorb, understand and grasp the material.
You see, I always had the desire to learn and explore history. I wanted to immerse myself in the ancient civilisations of Greece, Rome, Egypt and India. I wanted to know more about Marco Polo and his adventures through Asia and how Charles Vane became one of the most feared pirates in Nassau. But instead, we were taught the same old colonial history over and over again through 10 years of school. So I grew bored of history in school, studying it merely to pass my exams. The same thing happened with several other subjects, and I wasn’t the only one thoroughly fed up with what we were learning.
My friends and I would often sit and complain about the useless things that we were studying— half of it rarely caught our attention. Perhaps space or the wonders of the uncharted deep blue depths of the ocean interested you as a child, or maybe you preferred carpentry or gardening and bringing things to life. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to stick to the curriculum and subjects allotted to us.
The problem with our current education system, one that has been in effect for generations, is that it is built to pander to an ideal. It covers all the bases but barely scratches the surface. How many of us were taught to write or deposit a cheque in a bank or to file our taxes in school? Isn’t that something that every person, who is about to become an earning member of society, needs to know? What about personal finance and budgeting? Or how to build a fire, pitch a tent and first aid? It is the practical things that ensure our survival and a smooth transition into the ‘real world’ that need to be taught to children, not just the fact that the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell.
Our education system sets the basis of our entire life. It determines what college we go to and what job we eventually take. After so many years of following the same structure, isn’t it time that this rigid system adapts to our ever-changing world? Shouldn’t it focus on making learning fun and easy for everyone through interesting projects, documentaries and activities?
It’s not just practical subjects that are important but, students should also have the opportunity to explore their own interests. We all have passions and hobbies that we pour hours of time and effort into learning and mastering. So, it’s safe to say that we all desire to learn new things, but how often do we get the opportunity?
If you have spent time with a toddler, you have probably dealt with their 101 questions. They tend to spew a constant barrage of when, how and why. It is because children see the wonder in everything. They are curious and inquisitive about even the tiniest things because everything is brand new to them. Be it simple things like how long it takes to reach somewhere, or why they need to eat greens and can’t have chocolate for dinner, or more complex questions like who took a bite out of the moon and why humans can’t climb walls like spiderman.
Children are like sponges, they absorb just about anything you say and do in front of them, both consciously and subconsciously. Unfortunately, as they grow older, it takes a lot more effort to learn and remember things, especially if they aren’t particularly interested in them. This is where we need to tap into their hobbies. If your child is engrossed with online games, ask them if they would be interested in learning how to make their own; if they like doodling and drawing, encourage their habits. Whether it’s dancing, singing, sports, building things, gardening, bird watching, knitting or reading, be the person who pioneers their passion.
The beauty of life is that we never stop learning until the day we die. There’s no age limit to educating oneself on different subjects. If you can’t or couldn’t learn it in school, then explore the other options around you. Whether you are a seven-year-old or a seventy-year-old, the almighty Google is a one-stop library for all your queries. We’re so lucky that we live in a day and age where information and knowledge are freely available at our fingertips.
When we think of learning, we automatically associate it with our days of spending hours studying from school textbooks that we hated, but that’s not what learning really is. Learning doesn’t have to be associated with our dreaded school subjects, learning is just about anything and everything that we do. Learning how to cycle, how to drive a car, how to cook your favourite meal or how to level up in a video game. Each of us has the desire to learn, we just need to tap into it.
Nurture your passions and interest and do the same for those around you. You never know, your hobby might become your new business! I hope that everyone takes a little time to do the things that they love, to learn and explore the different facets of their desires. And remember, the greatest part about knowledge and learning is that nobody can ever take it away from you.
Written By Jessica Albuquerque.
A master of being a Jack of all Trades, A method in madness some may say. I’m just a girl on a never-ending journey, Standing on the precipice of my next big story.
Week 18, April 2021
