“The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life.”
Engraved in the stone at the center of campus, these words could not be more true of Concordia College. The overly theme of my Concordia experience has always been service and contribution to the larger society. While at times campus has felt small, since the day I stepped on campus, it has been the goal of my professors, coaches, and mentors that when I step off of this campus I am equipped with the necessary tools to positively influence the world around me. This goal is carried out and proven by courses such as Neurochemistry.
Rather than sitting in a classroom listening to a professor describe, in detail, the neurological pathways of various diseases, this class challenged me to read, research, comprehend, and communicate the finding of empirical articles. Because of this, I was more invested in my own learning. It also taught me how to be engaged in a scientific society outside of the classroom. As an undergraduate, it can be difficult sometimes to remember science is an ever changing field with new discoveries occurring everyday. Because of this, I came to realize that the field of science is much more than just facts and information, but rather it is a field of discovery and curiosity.
In order to be an effective and and successful learner the most important trait to possess is curiosity. Curiosity is what sparks the human interest to discover. This is what has driven the field of study in neuroscience and it is what has driven our educational system. Neurochemistry has taught me how to harness my inquisitiveness and dig deeper into the available resources to find answers or find the real question I am asking.
The other essential aspect of learning that neurochemistry has taught me is that learning can be about formulating questions rather than finding answers. Throughout school, the goal of classes has been to find the correct answers to questions. However, this semester it was our job to ask questions. I found this to actually be more challenging for the same reasons as described above. We were responsible for figuring out what we wanted to learn rather than being told what we were supposed to learn. This is the cornerstone of being social active in society.
Individuals that greatly impact the world in a positive light do not sit around waiting for someone else to make a change. Instead, they are at the head of the pack leading the charge. They have the ability to formulate their own ideas and opinions and communicate them in an affective manner. This is what it means to be a Cobber.
As I leave this place for the last time, I take with me countless memories, friends, and life lessons. Why most students discuss the former, I believe that it is the later that will propel my career and life to a vocational calling. Throughout my Concordia College career and especially during my final semester, I have learned to learn, how to be responsibly engaged in the world around me, how to effectively communicate my thoughts and opinions in a professional manner, how to be curious, and how to see the bigger picture. Education is the culmination of all of the topics and experiences one has throughout school, not just the individual tests and classes one takes. This semester of Neurochemistry has taught me to think in a way that draws upon all of my knowledge rather than isolated topics.
Thoughtful and Informed Citizens
