notes from underground

I wonder sometimes whether the idea of concentrations at schools like Brown is counterproductive. We are told, quite reasonably, that we have to focus on one area of expertise. This makes sense, as there simply isn’t the time to do more. Most schools require a basic smattering of general education, then let you get down to the business of focusing on one thing. Brown decided that people would satisfy distribution requirements on their own, and that they should be allowed to guide their own path to either specialization or greater breadth of knowledge, however they saw fit. It’s their own future they are playing with, so chances are they’ll take responsibility for it and get a well-rounded education of their own making.

Well, for the most part it works. I only know a few people that focus narrowly on one thing, as most of them disperse out to many different fields, especially those who are interested (as I am) in those interesting liminal places in which different disciplines overlap. However, I for one feel pressed for time. We are reminded how short a time we have in college or university, barely four years. The suggestion is to get a good basis in everything, then go in for a specialized type of knowledge that, hopefully, you can apply to whatever you end up doing after graduation. The strongest effect I have noticed is that people scramble to learn all they can in those short years, to the extent that most of us overextend ourselves and try to do everything at once. The complaint I most often voice about school is that, because I am trying to do everything I can, while I still can, I don’t have time to finish any of it.

It’s an issue that can only be resolved at the personal level–it’s not like schools are going to shift to teaching one course, in depth, at a time–but it still bothers me. There has to be a way to allow myself the time to explore subjects to a satisfying degree, without self-defeatingly trying to do it all at once.

I’m still terrified of the schedule i have constructed for the next semester, and Dad’s still not happy with it. Some things never change.