Another Life Wasted on
Learning
Genre: OPINION
Over the course of our young adult lives we, youth, have spent
approximately 2,600 days in school. That's approximately 28%
of our lives so far, "wasted" on learning.
I've spent the last thirteen years of my life in school and,
to tell you the truth, I haven't enjoyed nearly all of it. There
have been times when no matter how hard you try, there is no
way anyone can get me out of bed, just because it's a school
day. I've longed for weekends and holidays since the first day
of classes. But you know what the worst part is? When I'm not
in school, I miss it! All this time I've been looking forward
to leaving school, and now that it's finally here, I'm disheartened.
I've realized that being in school has become a part of me. Of
course, it's a part of my daily routine...waking up in the morning,
washing up, eating breakfast, and then heading off to school...the
same thing everyday for years. It's also impacted me in other
ways. I've developed awesome friendships with classmates and
teachers who I'll never forget, and who I never would have met
without being in school.
But being in school isn't always sunshine...there has to be a
little rain. I'll never forget that inevitable fall up the stairs
on the first day of high school, or the time I barfed while singing
"O Canada." Though those experiences may have been
embarrassing at the time, I've learned to look back on them with
fondness; it's all just a part of learning and growing up. And,
without all the interesting adventures, school would have been
boring.
Over the years I've also realized what it means to be successful.
It has nothing to do with your grade point average, who you hang
out with, or what kind of car you drive. It's all about who you've
become, and whether you are happy with who that is.
So as I look back on my time at Garden Valley, I realize that
what I'll remember most are the things they never intended to
teach me. Sure, I've learned how to add, read, and solve for
"x," but most importantly I've learned to live and
to be me. George Savile, the first Marquis of Halifax, (1633-1695)
says "Education is what remains when we have forgotten all
that we have been taught." And that is what I think school
is all about. It's not so much what you learn in class, as what
you get out of class.
CRITIQUES OF ARTICLE BY
PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
- This headline and lead is misleading! The article has a "buried"
lead -- the real point of the article isn't reached until the
last sentence. Maybe a teaser sentence, like "Or is it?"
tacked on to the end of the lead would make the article more
clearer.
- Well structured, well told. .
- Good work! It's something we can all relate to; reaching
graduation; reflecting what school has meant to us; and how it
has changed our lives.
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