Musings of an Old Chemist

A Chemist's Perspective on the Habits and Skills STEM Students Need For Success

  • A Lifetime of Learning

     

    Definition: Student

    A student is someone who is actively engaged in learning. This learning can take place in a formal educational setting, like a school or university, or in informal settings. In essence, a student is someone who is actively seeking knowledge and understanding.

    (“Gemini 2.0” 2024)

    No matter how old you are, whether you’re in middle school, high school or college, you may even have graduated and started working in your chosen field, the information and techniques discussed in this blog are universally applicable. You are always a student.

    For example:

    Perhaps you embrace lifelong learning – actively seeking knowledge and understanding, driven by curiosity and a desire for growth. You enjoy and thrive on the continuous nature of learning. You seek new experiences, ask questions, and are always looking for opportunities to learn and develop.

    Perhaps you are on a journey of self-discovery – learning is not just about acquiring information; it’s also about self-awareness, understanding yourself and your place in the world. Exploring your interests, values, and potential. Being open to new perspectives and willing to challenge your assumptions.

    Perhaps you embrace challenges and setbacks, actively confronting life’s difficulties and placing value on the lessons learned from making mistakes. You see these challenges as opportunities for growth, requiring you to be resilient, adaptable, and willing to learn from your experiences.

    Perhaps you are a problem-solver – life is full of challenges, and learning is often about finding solutions. You’re someone who approaches challenges with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn. You see problems as opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge, and they persist until you find solutions.

    These are just a few ways to think about “student” beyond the traditional classroom setting. Remember, the most important thing is to have a curious mind and a willingness to learn, no matter where life takes you!

     

  • The Essential Question

    How do we prepare ourselves to address life’s challenges?

    Throughout my posts I will attempt to identify and describe in detail the answers to the following questions:

    What are the attitudes and personality traits crucial for your personal growth and success, regardless of what your definition of success may be? While everyone describes success differently, whether it is how much you make, what your job title is, or how much your name is recognized, it is your attitude and personality traits that provide the foundation for your achievements.

    What are the rewards of being resilient and persevering through all the trials you will face in life?

    And, how do all these pieces fit together?

  • Why Do I Have to Learn This? I’ll Never Use It.

    By our very nature, we are inquisitive – always asking “why?”; usually in response to being asked or told to do something. Have you ever asked the question:“Why do I have to learn this? Or, “Why do I have to do this?” I’ll never use it.” I know I did, more than once. Rarely are you given a reason why it is essential to understand the information presented in your high school or college courses and how it relates to what you want to accomplish in life. Sometimes, the answer is simple: you need to know it for the next test. But other times, there are deeper reasons. For example, learning about history can help us understand the present. Learning about science helps us make informed decisions about the world around us and how systems work together. And learning math teaches us to think logically and solve problems in our everyday lives.

    Speaking from experience, there is a great deal of information taught in your math and science classrooms, the facts, figures, formulas, dates, and names, you will never use again – whether you intend to go to college or not. And don’t think you will stop asking this question once you decide on your career path – there will always be a training session you don’t want to attend, with more information you don’t see as being vital to you doing your job. It’s a never-ending cycle. What if I told you that the challenges and struggles you face in your classes, more than content knowledge, are vital to your overall growth as a student and will positively impact your success in any career you choose? Content knowledge measured by test scores and grades may or may not be your ultimate objective; that depends on your priorities. I believe what’s truly important and what we sometimes fail to realize is that the “process of learning” equips us with the “tools” for our success.