What do you think about when you look at your grade point average? “I should have done better on those tests” or “I really did learn a lot?” I have experienced a little bit of both, but whatever the outcome of the classes you’ve taken so far, the deed is done. During these reflections, it is important to look at the bigger picture and consider what you’ve learned, rather than dwell on certain grades you earned.

Writer and educator Jeannie Fulbright once said, “If the purpose of learning is to score well on a test, we’ve lost sight of the real reason for learning.” I agree. The purpose of a test is to assess your knowledge, not memory. However, when students cram information into their heads, it ends up doing the latter, and soon after, the information is forgotten.

Sometimes we are taught too quickly or have too many things on our plate, which prevents us from devoting time to learning information that we don’t find interesting or useful. In these cases, it is important to perform as best as possible, while still putting in the effort to understand the information, not to merely memorize facts. The purpose of learning is to learn –to enhance and add to the knowledge we already have.

Marva Collins, a famous educator who opened her own school in Chicago because she was unsatisfied with the education her children were receiving, believes that a good education includes learning the basics and the classics, and is fostered through positive reinforcement. At the collegiate level, we don’t have grade school teachers pushing us to succeed.

From my experience, most professors want what is best for their students and are willing to help them do well, but their help is limited. Their job is to teach, not to motivate. A bit of positive reinforcement helps us feel encouraged, which is where grades come in. If I receive a good grade, I feel motivated to work for another. On the flip side, if I receive a poor grade, I have the drive to do better.

We’ve been taught that in order to succeed in life, your GPA means everything. That has been nailed into my head for years and puts a lot of pressure on me when it comes to graded assignments. However, when applying for jobs, some businesses don’t even look at GPA. Experience is what matters most. A resume consists of your GPA and also lots of words. These words convey more information about you than any number could. It is important to invest time in internships and classes that interest you. These demonstrate to your employers that you really want to learn and aren’t in it for the grades.

It isn’t worth it to study something that you don’t want to learn. Sometimes it is inevitable due to general education requirements, but in terms of choosing major and minor courses, it is imperative that students pick courses that they know will interest them. Otherwise, you are wasting not only your time but even the time of those around you who actually want to be in that class.

That being said, if you are heading toward a profession that you won’t enjoy, don’t do it. What’s the point? There is time now, even if it may take a little longer, to get on the right track for you. Professors teach and guide students in their area of study, but they can’t make life changing decisions for the student.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, most adults aged 18 to 26 have had about 11 jobs in their lifetime. That sounds like a lot of jobs, but over the span of adulthood, it allows for a nice change of pace every so often in our employed lives. Employees continue to learn at each job. The motivation to do well at a job is encouraged by the salary, by the desire to impress those around you, by the desire to make an impact, and most importantly, to learn about yourself and all that you are capable of achieving.

As college students, it is our choice whether or not we want to learn or glide past. College is not a life requirement like grade school is in the U.S. I pay for my education and want to put in all the effort I can, to get as much out of these four years as possible, while still having fun. Going to class, doing homework and studying for exams are all part of the deal and the learning process.

I’ve had semesters where I’ve overloaded myself and semesters where the balance was just right. For my senior year, I am lucky enough to have the time to take classes that interest me both in and out of my major so I can find a specialization of what I really want to do. Just because I’m heading into my senior year, doesn’t mean that I am confident in my career path. It takes trial and error. I don’t think we ever stop learning.

Karen Podorefsky is a Collegian columnist and can be reached at [email protected].