"He emphasized learning the process, not the answers."
Dear students,
No one likes to fail. And after this past weekend's 63-21 game I'm not sure it's any easier to take. But failure is a part of life and how we deal with it impacts how successful we will be. I think back to my first physics class. It didn't go well, and after bombing 3 quizzes I (reluctantly) went to see the professor. He pointed out that the study strategies I was using were not well-matched to the problem-solving goals of a physics course. He asked me to imagine what the final goal would be (passing an exam), and work backwards. What would I need to do to build up those skills over the weeks leading up to a midterm or final? In short, he asked me to learn from the process of failure, to not take it personally, and to ask for advice from those who know better. He emphasized learning the process, not the answers. That conversation still lives with me 27 years later.
In fact, college is about failure. It is a place for you to try things out and, if failure happens, learn from it without the world ending. Didn’t like that research lab? Great, time to try another area or another style of mentor. Didn’t master that midterm? Great, time to think about strategies that seem to work for other students. We tend to think of college as if we are on a linear path, and any deviation from the path will mean disaster. Instead, consider college as your learning the process of dusting yourself off when failure occurs and figuring out how not to encounter the same kind of failure in the future. That act of trying, failing, and moving on will teach you how to become who you are really meant to be. As Dumbledore advises Harry Potter in the movie The Sorcerer's Stone, “It is the choices we make, Harry, that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
Best wishes for a fun and informative week,
Sacha Kopp
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education,
College of Natural Sciences
PS: If you're looking for some other resources for help, consider the Resident Hall Study Groups for help on specific classes, or check out the Sanger learning center, where you can receive one on one drop in tutoring, coaching on study skills, free classes and workshops. Also visit the Undergraduate writing center about any writing project. If you're concerned because things are piling up beyond control, there is a 24 hour hotline — 471-CALL (2255). If you're worried about a roommate or friend, see http://www.utexas.edu/safety/bcal/ for help.
PPS: The Texas Exes announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 Jean Holloway Award for Excellence in Teaching. You can help recognize an outstanding Liberal Arts or Natural Sciences professor who has had a genuine influence on the educational experience of university students by nominating a professor at: https://texasexes.org/form/holloway.asp. Nomination Deadline: Friday, Oct. 26 at 5:00 pm. The purpose of this award is to recognize a professor who demonstrates the ability to impart knowledge and challenge students. The $4,500 award is given annually to a professor from the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Natural Sciences. This award is student nominated and selected.
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