I don’t see myself as a “scholar.”
Even though I’ve been in school as long as I can remember, with just a few summer and Christmas breaks thrown in, I still see the title of scholar as reserved for someone in the Middle Ages, holed up in a castle with lots of scrolls and ink and dust.
I think it’s time I reeducate myself on this subject.
Merriam-Webster defines a scholar as someone who “has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it.” Well, that’s pretty simple. According to that definition, scholarship comes down to a desire to learn; I’d say that most of the students I’ve met at CNU thus far fall under that category.
As we approach finals, it’s easy to lose confidence in your academic skills. I constantly find myself thinking, “I should have studied one more hour for that test” or “Did I write enough for that essay?” But, the good news is: scholarship isn’t something that’s achieved overnight. It’s a process; thankfully, one bad test won’t ruin the whole thing. Becoming super knowledgeable in a certain area of study takes several years, many classes and lots of reflection.
So, with the end of our fall semester nearing, remember these wise words from A. A. Milne (the creator of Winnie the Pooh and other nostalgia):
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Thanksgiving break is almost here! Let’s finish strong, Captains!
