Graduation, check
As I come to the close of my four-plus years of celestial BYU education, I’ve noticed one thing that’s been constant no matter where I am. People can’t take classes fast enough to graduate and move on.
Is getting a bachelor’s degree so worthless that its only purpose is for us to check off another box in our list of things to do before we’re great? Whatever happened to learning? It seems that if we can ensure a good enough grade in a class, then why come (or is that guy in front of you really learning something from beating a new online game’s high score?)
Students complain that BYU religion classes have become too academic and as such have lost the Spirit. BYU students and faculty, slow down! Are you here to learn? Then do. Are you here to check a box just so you can move on? We’ve all made fun on those who attend BYU just to get married; is attending for a piece of paper any different?
Eric Schott
Meadow Vista, Calif.
Elementary education not easy
Am I the only elementary education major who is sick of defending her career choice? Over the last several months, people have made many derogatory comments about my major, and I have had enough. Didn’t we all get into the same school? I am done with friends and strangers telling me they are envious of my “easy, stress-free life.” I spend hours in the library studying and writing papers just like other students.
I grow weary of the stereotypes people make about elementary education majors. Believe it or not, we actually want to teach and mentor children and are not at BYU to find a husband. We want to make a difference in the world, and much time and thought went into choosing our field of study. We didn’t simply choose what we thought would be an “easy” major.
I may not be able to build or design something, but I’d like to see an engineer control a classroom of yelling 6-year-olds. In the words of businessman and retired CEO of Chrysler Lee Iacocca, “In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less.”
Jesslyn Poulson
Lafayette, Colo.
Cease to be late
No one I’ve met wants to be late, unless they’re visiting the in-laws. Yet week after week, I see people rush into church all flushed. They hastily scramble over people sharply whispering “Sorry! Sorry!” and cause a distraction for others. If no one likes it, why does Mormon Standard Time happen?
The reason is because people set their mental clocks to be on time. Frankly, this way, no one gets to their destination on time because no one accounts for waiting for a roommate to get out of the shower or for lost shoes or red lights. They end up being late for a litany of excuses with no foundation. The secret is: leave to be early!
The Savior believed in the principle of being early. He revealed this to Joseph Smith: “Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.”
Arriving to church promptly gives a one-up over the other guys. We can find a good spot to sit, our scriptures are out and we are ready to listen and feel the Spirit better than one who is overdue. “Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God — he will justify in committing a little sin.” Is this our frame of mind? I hope not.
Willis Weight
Wilsonville, Ore.
Pay closer attention
It is great to have a section in The Daily Universe that shares perspectives of current students on different matters. In the “On the street” section of the April 28 publication, I was reading the quote by “Natalie” and noticed not one but two spelling errors.
I wondered if that was just carelessness by the editor or if the quote was submitted carelessly by the student. But then I read the subsequent quote by “Danny” and it was the same quote with the same spelling errors. This puts the blame on the editor. I appreciate these features and insights to student perspectives, but please use a finer-toothed comb when going over your material before publication.
Additionally, I couldn’t believe how similar the appearance was of all the students interviewed. Surely, there must be someone not blond and blue-eyed on campus.
Brian Miller
Sacramento, Calif.
Copyright Brigham Young University 4 May 2009
