Personal Application

Part of Brigham Young University's mission statement is to develop "lifelong learning."  Since my senior year in high school, I have developed a thirst for knowledge and experience.  I want so much to grow, learn, and try to become the best I can.  Coming to college has only enhanced my desire to learn.  There is so much knowledge available, and as I experience new things, I am faced with many questions.  In the past I may have written them off and ignored them.  Now, I want to find the answers, and I want to remember them.  I don't want to sit idly, I want to apply that knowledge.  I think that my definition of learning has caused me to set many goals.  As I ask questions and find the answers, I learn things that I could do better.  I set goals to make those changes.  If, after some time, I still haven't made it to my goal, I may need to reevaluate and ask a new question about why the method isn't working.  The cycle continues until I feel I have truly accomplished something, and then I set a new goal.  My goals are guiding me to a career in academia.  I want to be a professor so that I may continue to research and learn as well as share my experience with others.

I think this class has helped me to focus on what learning means to me.  It has helped to give me some direction as I apply my knowledge, and I have seen what great things people can do if they do it right.  Hopefully I can pass on this thirst for knowledge to others, because there is true joy in learning.