The Joy of Learning

“I’d like to add some beauty to life,” said Anne dreamily. “for people to have some little joy or happy thought that would never have existed if I hadn’t been born.”

As the literary character Anne of Green Gables began her teaching career, she found herself asking the same questions that we might ask. “What is the value of education?”  “How can I be most effective?”

As students learn things such as algebra, writing, biology, or technology, they are also learning life lessons that may be “some little joy or happy thought” that enhances their lives.

     Students learn the value of discipline.

Organization, focus, and work ethic are skills that many students struggle with in college.  Just as professional athletes develop rigorous routines to keep their bodies healthy, students can learn to discipline their minds by learning study skills. The college years are crucial for developing discipline as students learn to overcome obstacles and be persistent.

 

Students learn to appreciate diversity.

Our students have the advantage of studying at a very diverse campus. We often see things from the lens of our own experiences, but by interacting with classmates of all different backgrounds, our students can learn an appreciation of different cultures and ideas.

 

Students learn to think critically.

NSCC values critical thinking and analyzing ideas. Students learn how to determine the validity of an argument, how to communicate well, and how to solve problems. These critical thinking skills are crucial as our students face life’s challenges.

 

Students learn what they have to contribute to the world.

Each of our students has a unique opportunity to bring hope and joy to others’ lives---in their families, in their workplaces, and in their communities. By helping our students realize their talents, we can provide encouragement as students find their places.

 

As Eleanor Roosevelt said “it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” NSCC can be that light in the lives of our students as we give them “some little joy or happy thought that would have never existed if [we] hadn’t been born.”