Adrenalin Rush

Learning excites me. Gaining new insights and perspectives gives me an adrenalin rush. I want the same for my students. Unfortunately, my excitement is often met with blank or, at best, amused stares. They don’t get it.

The reason I get excited about learning something new is because I see how the new information or skill connects with my passion. If we want students to be excited about learning, we need to help them first discover their passion. It troubles me when college students in their last semester before graduating are unable to tell me what they are interested in. I don’t mean what they are interested in academically. I mean they can’t identify anything that excites them. To me, that is scary.

A book I recently read conveys the excitement of learning. The Cosmic Serpent by anthropologist Jeremy Narby traces his journey of discovery across academic disciplines as he undertakes research in his field. The book conveys the thrill of research and learning. We need to help students uncover their own questions and assist them in discovering answers. Let’s find ways to help our students experience the adrenalin rush of learning.