On Studying

Justin was rather surprised by the cheerful outlook towards studying by two kids whom he was tutoring.

They were looking forward to learning new concepts, acquiring fresh perspectives, deepening their domains of knowledge when school begins within a week. How did they manage to adopt such a view, when the education system they're in is Singapore's? And they're going to be sec four students!

Here, he was, feeling all morose that the pleasant monotone of holidays was about to give way to the mad cacophony of school life. There, they were, looking forward to school life.

He was the tutor. They were the students. Surely, there was a misalignment somewhere.

Out of the blue - in the typical random fashion that human mind functions - Justin recalled one's friend idea:
'Everything can be interesting. In fact, everything should be interesting. As long as one has no prior exposure to the discipline of knowledge, then one should find it engaging.'

Wow, he felt overwhelmed, I had never thought like this before.

He had studied because he was expected to; nothing more than required and perhaps, just perhaps, a little less than the norm. A fleeting interest maybe, but nope, no sustained passion. He was perpetually embarrassed when people asked him why he was majoring in Science. Er, because I want to teach? I don't care, I can major in Psych or Math or English or Econs or - , it doesn't matter to me, I just want to teach.

But recently, his encounters with his tuition kids and his friend, Sarah, forced him to examine his position. The once-peripheral issues took center-stage.

He really ought to find interest - even, comfort - in the knowledge so freely fluxing about him. Yes, he should. Yes, everyone should.

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