By Adonis
Time is the most precious nonrenewable resource in existence. Lost money can be re-earned and lost items can be found or repurchased, but the precise moments that one spends in a lifetime cannot be undone or redone. Many college students, between the ages of 18 and 24, are in a period of psychological development that shapes their personality and intellect for the rest of their lives. The experiences that one has in this period produce a more profound effect on the individual than if they went through the same experiences at a later period in their lives. What does this mean in terms of time management in college?
Obviously, the point of undertaking an academic program is succeeding in the curriculum as much as reasonably possible. The key word in the previous sentence is “reasonably.” Learning the curriculum in an academic course of study is beneficial primarily for the career track that the individual decides upon, and even may have utility in their personal life. The humanities and liberal arts teach people how to think about and approach situations in different ways. Business, accounting, and finance provide a sound education that one can use for personal or professional matters. However, it is impossible for one to receive the building blocks for a sound personal education if they put themselves at the mercy of a prescribed set of courses without going out of their way to develop their own educational experience.
What are the different areas of expertise that one should work upon? They go as follows: Physical fitness, nutritional, cultural, quantitative, reading and writing comprehension, functional intelligence, and an understanding of current events are the fields that one should build a basic level of educational attainment towards in order to truly be educated. Let’s break down each category:
Physical fitness is part of the foundation of life. Many people only understand the bare minimum of “exercise and stay active. Burn calories to avoid weight gain.” There is so much more to it. If one doesn’t have a comprehensive strength training plan that incorporates compound lifts, cardiovascular endurance, and calisthenics, then that individual isn’t even in the ballpark of what a human being needs to do to maintain health and longevity. This may sound like too much to expect from the ordinary person. It’s not. One hour a day for four or five days a week is enough. Basic compound lifts like, barbell squats, deadlifts, military press, chin-ups, dips, and pullups are enough. Many people do “push days” and “pull days” to separate these workouts. In terms of cardio, the ability to run a six-minute mile is a worthy goal for anyone to strive towards. Doing one or two days of distance runs, two miles or more, as well as one or two days of sprints is enough for cardiovascular training.
Nutrition is arguably more important than physical fitness, but the same level of emphasis should be placed upon it. Understanding macronutrient intake, basal metabolic rate, and different components that make up nutritional needs are facets of information for anyone who eats to survive.
Culture is a tricky one. This essentially is describing a basic understanding information of the humanities and liberal arts that most people should know. Philosophical ideologies, world religions, and major historical events are some examples.
Quantitative education encompasses mathematics, physical sciences, and economics. The act of learning mathematics trains one’s mind to think more analytically and logically. This is crucial for success in the modern day. In addition, physics and chemistry are important subjects for all to understand.
Reading and writing comprehension is crucial for any field or profession. The way one articulates words and phrases and understands context creates a foundation for communication and shapes the way someone thinks. Understanding rhetoric and logical fallacies is an insurmountably important skill in daily interpersonal interactions regardless of occupation.
Functional intelligence is a tricky one. This is one area that many academics lack in proficiency. The man who makes his living under a car or on a construction site is generally very advanced in this form of intelligence. The ability to assess and apply different practical functions to situations is a skill that must be practiced. Many times this category is seen as “common sense,” but that is an unfair description since it truly is a skillset that must be developed and practiced.
Understanding current events will shape the ideologies of tomorrow’s voters and the interactions of consumers in today’s economy. Those who can assess what is occurring in the news and place it within the context of the rest of international politics are the most powerful members of society.
There is value in every field of study. No vocation is more worthy than another. The Japanese concept of ikigai explains this. The combination of mission, passion, vocation, and profession allows one to achieve this experience regardless of the specific occupation pursued. The devotion to a particular education doesn’t excuse one from developing themselves in the other vital areas of human existence.
