Collegiate Times

This semester my physical chemistry professor offered an opportunity many of us in the sciences rarely see — one point extra credit for our final grades. How? For simply reading and writing a one-page paper about any novel.

Although I was a bit confused as to why I was allowed to read a novel of my choice for extra credit in a science class, I eventually made my way through the glass doors of Newman Library and asked a librarian for help finding a book that was recommended for me.

Throughout the process of being assisted, wandering past bookshelves and searching through call numbers, I felt as if I was recalibrating the balance on a bike after many years.

Reading the book later that night and being a part of someone else’s train of thought through a novel felt even more foreign, but familiarly good at the same time. I couldn’t recall the last time I had gone to a library solely to find a book to read for enjoyment. I realized as a consequence of focusing only on literature pertaining to my degree, even my approach to everyday reading had changed.

I started wondering, how many other things have I not revisited or explored outside of my schoolwork and friends since I’ve been in Blacksburg?

Each semester we fill our shelves with thick textbooks and make class syllabi the center of our lives. 

We accidentally become so caught up in completing assignments and preparing for exams we forget to engage in things that spark creativity and imagination.

Virginia Tech hosts more than 600 diverse student clubs and organizations that cover seemingly every possible interest a student could have, but many of us tend to lose the healthy balance between our academics and doing something we’re simply curious or excited about when faced with large amounts of course work.

Studies in occupational and mental health have highlighted the importance of creativity — being involved in something that triggers experimentation or potential for creative expression. 

According to occupational therapist Jennifer Creek, exploration and creative engagement have been shown to increase one’s ability to cope with stress and adversity, and also help build a strong foundation of learning outside of the classroom.

In other words, if students choose to apply their computer science coursework by working on a research project or website idea, the foundations learned through lectures and textbooks would be naturally strengthened through creative application.

If a student chooses to pursue some sort of art, in the form of cultural dance or music production for example, while simultaneously handling semester course loads, the maintained balance between class and creative exploration will not only promote a less stressful learning experience on both ends, but keep classroom learning exciting as well.

As many of us start going through weeks that seem as if professors had convened to make as hard as possible, take time out of your day — even if just for a few minutes — to do something you simply are curious about.

If you want to know how long your voice echoes at 4 a.m. if you were to yell on the Drillfield — take a break from a late night of studying and do it. 

If you’ve always wanted to know a few basic steps of salsa or merengue, find out where and when specific clubs meet and try it out.

Sustaining a balance between learning for your major and learning through exploration is imperative. Asking questions and engaging in creative art should always be kept at the core of our approach to learning.

A version of this article appeared in the Oct 20 issue of the Collegiate Times.