Learning is exhausting. It’s better when you’re studying something that you’re actually interested in, but either way it takes work to concentrate and process new knowledge. Although it can be tiring, there’s a way to do it so that it isn’t boring. Learning new things outside of school, if done correctly, can be rewarding. Cole Frick, ‘27, says that “you don’t necessarily need to look at stuff that doesn’t interest you. And that’s one of the best things about being [learning outside of school]—you can be informed on what you want.”
I first started thinking about it like this when my friend influenced me into trying out a new podcast, Stuff You Should Know. Since I’ve learned about it, I’ve become a big fan. The podcast is hosted by Chuck and Josh, and their way of explaining things is more like storytelling, which I process better. There is something comforting and calming about having a podcast where you can just listen without the pressure of needing to memorize.
Frick affirmed that learning history out of class can provide a different experience, expressing the idea that “because you’re not being fed the information in a linear way that the school deems is how you should learn. You can learn how you want to learn, you can go back and forth between things. You don’t have to follow [the path they set for you].”
I was also recommended video essays, which I watch on YouTube. I know people who like to watch the ones about movie reviews or explanations, but I really like to watch the historical and psychological ones. They’re interesting and usually very to the point, which I appreciate.
Tommy Calhoun-Lopez, ‘27, explained the difference it makes to learn from internal motivation, saying that “there’s nothing forced, and so having the option to just not kind of makes you wanna do it more.”
Calhoun-Lopez emphasized the importance of the habit of learning, stating that “If you don’t stay informed and engaged, it’s way harder to get back into [it]. Once you know about current world events, it’s way easier to stay on top.”
