Why It’s OK to Study What You Love

The only D I got in college was an upper division philosophy class titled Values and the Future. The grade for the course was based on one assignment: a paper and an oral presentation. I took the course seriously. I was invested. I put a lot of effort into my research. When it was time to give my presentation, I thought I would hit a homerun. But while the other students in front of me were presenting their papers, I slowly began to realize I had blown it. I had gone off-topic, and it cost me, grade-wise. But, I still learned a lot about a subject even if it wasn’t the one assigned.

What if your student could study what he or she loves without the nagging awareness that other subjects “need their attention” too? True, other subjects do need their attention, but they don’t need the same amount of attention. That approach leads to burnout. Some researchers suggest it takes 10,000 hours of practice to truly master something. Not sure about the number of hours, and I know there are other factors that lead to mastery, but one thing’s for sure.  You won’t get there without commitment and time. And, there is only so much time and energy you and your students can commit to the subjects they will be studying.

I’ve had the privilege of working with students in our diploma program who I would call, “functional monomaniacs,” (not to be confused with the clinical variety). While they did meet the requirements to graduate with our diploma, we “tweaked” and lightened some of their other courses to free up more time to do what they really wanted to do. Their passions varied: everything from training for the Olympics, to pursuing professional careers in music, ballet, photography, and even motocross. Some of our students went on to start businesses, others into real-estate, and one student in our diploma program began making money in the stock market as a minor. It was hilarious. Every time he wanted to make a trade, he’d need his mother’s signature.

As you plan your courses and choose your curriculum for next year, keep three things in mind:

• Feed, don’t frustrate your student’s educational passion.
• Remind yourself that all subjects should not receive equal attention in time and intensity.
• Remember that “grades” don’t tell the whole story.

Thanks for reading!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE

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