Art by Sacha Irick
“Never let school get in the way of your education.” Were those really the words that were coming out of my AP English teacher’s mouth? I never thought I’d hear my most admired instructor advise such a thing. Although I must admit that now, three years later, that offer of guidance has been one of the most treasured pieces of advice I have ever received.
Our campus breeds over-achievers — many of us over-commit. Most students would agree that our student body is very hardworking. This is a commendable trait. However, are we hardworking in building strong friendships? Are we proficient in accepting unique growth opportunities and in appreciating others’ opinions? Are we diligent in taking the risks needed to understand ourselves?
When I was an over-committed freshman, I wasn’t concerned with these kinds of questions. Freshman year in general is a challenging but socially important time for one’s well-being. Several years ago, Iowa State University researchers conducted a study with 3,411 students. The results suggested that freshmen in college who suffer from attachment anxiety tend to be less socially self-sufficient.
This attachment anxiety, which can be recognized in the form of loneliness, is understandable and natural during all stages of university life — most notably during freshman year. One piece of advice that I’ve learned at Pepperdine is that it takes a friend to be a friend. American advertising executive Lois Wyse states that “A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” Understanding the power of creating a friendship is part of the college experience for those who are willing. Going abroad is a grand way — but not the only way — to find personal answers to life’s meaningful questions.
Taking a risk is nerve-racking, yes, but it can be oh-so-fulfilling, too. A large percentage of second-year students take a chance by constructing their own international experiences. With opportunities that urge students to build lasting relationships, explore new cultures and become more sociable, it should be up to the student body itself to apply those positive characteristics back in Malibu, too.
As every person is unique, so is every individual’s international encounter. In my own experience, the best part of studying abroad was the deep friendships formed. After all, most students don’t even know one another before moving across the world and living together.
This bond should not be limited to upperclassmen or to those who travel abroad. It should be found in all classes and on campus in Malibu. It’s that risk-taking confidence that many sophomore students encounter as they are thrust outside of their comfort zones and left to learn how to make a foreign place feel like home — an ability that all students should embrace more often. This includes making the effort to develop social self-efficiency with acquaintances and with oneself.
American poet Edwin Markham wrote, “There is a destiny that makes us brothers; no one goes his way alone. All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.”
Finding one’s place within the university or even discovering a best friend takes time. But when pursued, these are the parts that are often most treasured.
As another year begins here at Pepperdine, it’s important to note that there are always impressions to make, friendships to enjoy and opportunities to take. No matter where one is in the world, there is always something new to explore. Why not be the person to take the risk, make an effort to create lasting friendships and develop a distinctly purposeful college experience? There is no time like the present! And remember, never let school get in the way of your education.
As published in the Aug. 26, 2013 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
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