Pay attention, this is important.

Pay attention, this is important.

While you are somnolently (that means sleepily) cruising through another day on Planet College, you may, while sitting in one class or another hear your instructor say, "OK. Pay Attention. This is important." While the temptation is to let this become a part of the endless ebb of sights and sounds of another school day you could be well advised to actually do what she says. That is, Pay attention.

Here's why.

While it is generally a given that students need to pay attention in class, that is why they are there, it is also a given that they don't. Don't usually pay attention. With this in mind many instructors have learned to highlight important material, material they regard as important, with the introduction at the top of this post.

Your instructor in this course has spent many, many hours of her life preparing to teach this course. Really. So when she determines something is important she is going tell the class, "This is important." What this means is that this lesson, presentation, set of facts, formula, author or whatever she is referring to is going to be on the test. Yes. That is why she is calling the classes' attention to it. Instructors are like that. They like to point out stuff they think is important.

There. That was important.

Volunteer? Overseas?? Me???

Along with travel, volunteering is a traditional part of most student's experience on Planet College. Combining these two traditions has also for a while been integral to college students experience. The most widely known American institution which provides both of these aspects is the Peace Corps. This government program is not limited to students but does require a degree among other things to qualify. The United Nations also has a volunteer component but these too are only available to experienced professionals. What about students, professionals in training? For one example Geekcorp places volunteers internationally in positions requiring technological expertise.
When seeking overseas volunteer positions bear in mind you will be required to pay at least part of the expenses involved. Also volunteer positions usually require a time commitment, at least three months often more. Finally if you are seriously considering volunteering overseas you will no doubt need a valid, up to date passport and possibly such immunization as your destination country may require.

Zs Get Degrees, Or Do They?

Learning while you sleep is an appealing sounding method to acquire Knowledge. Various programs available offer 'sleep learning' usually meaning tapes. These recordings play while the learner sleeps and those available advertise results, sometimes described as 'amazing'. Customers they say have mastered subjects while sleeping and this mastery has assisted them passing difficult courses. One discussion of this subject declared," Z's get degrees." There was no indication whether the students took the test while sleeping.

Looking around any of your a early a.m. classes you will observe many students earnestly practicing another form of sleep-learning. Are these students sleeping? Definitely. Are these students learning? Possibly. Their grade will tell.

Only you can tell the best methods for you to acquire and retain the information necessary to pass any given course. If sleeping helps, well, sleep. What is more likely, though, is the need for you to bring your full attention to any subject you are attempting to master or at least pass. It is also likely that you need to be awake while doing so. Zs may help a student occasionally pass a class. Degrees are obtained through persistence, diligence and an organized approach to studying. And all of this means work. The lure of 'sleep learning' is the implied effortlessness which is in fact very appealing. But, most veterans on Planet College learn nothing worthwhile is achieved without effort.

Ok, now, go take a nap.

Planet College Explanation: Education versus Training.

Some time ago it was deemed beneficial to the general good or social order or what ever you want to call it to have an educated population. For this to occur two types of learning were relied upon. During your life you will probably be exposed to and may even benefit from both types of learning. One is called education and the other is called training.

Training is usually applied to learning a set of skills in order to accomplish a task. These tasks are usually associated with a trade. A trade is literally a set of skills which a tradesman or woman exchanges for a wage, money. Some training of which you may be aware are x-ray technician, electrician, dental hygienist among many. You may know, know of or even be a trades person. This is essentially what is meant in the world by training.

Education is meant to teach people to think. This may not have been explained to you when you began your education. Since you were very young at the time you simply started "school". But, school, whether you knew it or not, was essentially meant to supply you with the skills necessary to think independently and function as a member of society.

These are the essentials and you need both education and training to function.