A Chemist's Perspective on the Habits and Skills STEM Students Need For Success
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
– Mark Twain
Truer words have never been said. Learning to be an active listener, and be comfortable in our silence is a valuable skill that most of us, myself included, need to practice daily.
“We are a culture that worships the winning result: the league championship, the high test score. Coaches are paid to win, teachers are valued for getting students into the best colleges. Less glamorous gains made a long the way – learning, wisdom, growth, confidence, dealing with failure – aren’t given the same respect because they can’t be given a grade.”
– William Zinnser (On Writing Well, 30th edition) (pg. 253)
I wonder if the same can be said about the process of personal growth. I am absolutely certain that there are teachers whose passion lies in seeing they’re students grow as people of substance, encouraging their passion for learning, challenging students with inquiry-based lessons. I know this because I have worked alongside many of them. However, the pressure to meet state and federal established testing benchmarks by which schools are judged and state curriculum standards leaves little time for creativity and discussion in the classroom. So many feel like they are fighting a losing battle. And it not only these restrictions that affect the development of our students’ personal growth in the classroom.
I have also experienced a paradigm shift in the STEM students I work with. While there are still some who are open to new ideas and are willing to explore and develop the foundations of personal growth: curiosity, a passion for solving problems, and a passion for learning. There is a growing majority of students whose primary interest is in just getting the grade, whose focus is on getting the highest ACT score possible, not through learning the baseline knowledge to support the score, but only in the quick techniques to “cheat” the test with the least amount of effort. And, with minimum ACT test score standards being implemented in school systems as graduation requirements, schools now offer courses teaching these methods. ” Memorize and forget” is now the status quo for many of our students.
We are doing a disservice to our students. For when they get to college, and especially when they graduate and join the workforce without a solid foundation in knowing how to deal with failure, learn from their mistakes, develop a strong support network, to be resilient and to persevere – essential skills and traits that cannot be given a grade – I guarantee you they will struggle.
“Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
– Princess Diana
It is very easy to get so caught up in our own lives. Spending time to cultivate relationships, work on our day-to-day interactions with others, or pausing for a simple act of kindness can seem to be an inefficient use of our time in a world of texts and emails, and rapid digital information. The constant rush of our “microwave society” leaves us with less perceived time for deliberate acts of empathy and compassion.
Students juggle demanding class schedules, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and social lives. They are often genuinely stressed, tired, and mentally preoccupied. When overwhelmed, people tend to conserve their energy, and sometimes, basic courtesy can be overlooked in the rush.
That being said, there are some easy ways to practice empathy and compassion every day:
Be open and friendly to everyone you meet. Simple things like holding a door, offering to help them a task, or really listening to their ideas or opinions without judging can make a big difference. Holding a door for someone struggling, or offering a kind word to someone who looks down, can make a huge difference in a person’s day.
When you see someone, whether you know them or not, start by saying “hello”. A warm greeting, with eye contact, and a real smile go a long way to make them feel important and noticed. And remember, it’s really easy to send rude texts, emails and other digital communication since you don’t see the other person face-to-face, so be mindful.
Show others that you sincerely care about them. Don’t just ask “How are you?” out of habit. Actually listen to their answer without interrupting. And a sincere “thank you” always makes people feel appreciated. These small acts help build stronger connections and relationships.
Be willing to share what you know If you’re good at something, maybe help a classmate out with a difficult concept or tutor them. It can really help them learn and stress less.
And finally, always try to make someone’s day better and leave a positive impression with little, unexpected gestures. This could be anything from picking up some trash to leaving a nice note or giving a genuine compliment.
For your consideration:
“We are still in the position of waking up and having a choice. Do I make the world better today somehow, or do I not bother?”
– Tom Hanks
We are the architects of our own personal growth, and only we can determine what kind of person we will become. How will you define what personal success looks like? What do you desire? What is your true reward? Is it a high paying position or personal recognition, or is it becoming a person of value who makes those around you better?
