TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Smart or not,...

Published on: Jan 6, 2008

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=17839

Many students nowadays have dreams. They try to enroll in a good university, get a good education, apply for a good job and maybe continue their study for Master’s and PhD degrees. However, these dreams can come up against a lot of troubles. Thirty years ago the rules were different. At that time if you studied you could ensure that your future would be safe. Those meant the only thing you had to do was study and not worry about anything else.

Today traditions have changed. In addition to your hard work, you really do have to think and worry about what to study. In other words, the type of study nowadays is important. That can lead to a huge problem, which is a lack of creativity. Previously, a student did not have to be creative, but recently you are supposed to bring up something new to ensure a good place in the world.

So what is the main cause of this problem? What prevents students from being creative? The answer to these questions is the word “but”. The first factor making students or researchers afraid of being creative is financial support. This is the kind of support that causes the student to put a huge “but” in front of his wished-for project. When a researcher tries to think about a new development, the first thing that comes to mind is how to supply the money needed for his project. Perhaps most plans have failed because of this major factor. Since students and researchers have not been hired yet, they can’t get over that barrier unless somebody gives them a hand.

The second major factor is relatives’ and friends’ support. It is important from the psychological and emotional point of view for the person. You can have the intention to do something, and once someone close to you discourages you, the intention will disappear. Families and friends have to work together to help this creative person by encouraging, supporting and sustaining him. The significant part here is dealing with children. A lot of talented kids can abandon their hobbies and skills because of a little word from their parents. Even if the expected idea is pretty imaginary and fanciful, we should keep believing in this promising person and support him to the end.

Thirdly, the technical support arises. It’s true that the one who tries to invent, discover or develop something has knowledge, but he still needs extra help. As an example, a second level student at college would need further information from an instructor with a PhD or Master’s. These kinds of instructors ought to give a hand to this student, otherwise he is not going to have a clear vision of his project and consequently it will fail. A 5-minute question would not affect the lecturer’s precious time but it will affect the whole future of this one student.

By gathering all these factors we come up with the fact that it is everybody’s responsibility to develop the community in every way possible. One of these ways is to help creative students and researchers as much as we can. The major part lies on the shoulders of the person himself. He has to have enough strength to challenge the problems facing him by being firm, willing and patient. So let’s all try to erase the word “but” from our future plans and replace it by the statement “Yes, I can”. Finally, keep this in mind: whether you are smart or not, never say but.

« return.



by Mustafa Nabulsi
Published on: Jan 6, 2008
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=17839


Many students nowadays have dreams. They try to enroll in a good university, get a good education, apply for a good job and maybe continue their study for Master’s and PhD degrees. However, these dreams can come up against a lot of troubles. Thirty years ago the rules were different. At that time if you studied you could ensure that your future would be safe. Those meant the only thing you had to do was study and not worry about anything else. Today traditions have changed. In addition to your hard work, you really do have to think and worry about what to study. In other words, the type of study nowadays is important. That can lead to a huge problem, which is a lack of creativity. Previously, a student did not have to be creative, but recently you are supposed to bring up something new to ensure a good place in the world. So what is the main cause of this problem? What prevents students from being creative? The answer to these questions is the word “but”. The first factor making students or researchers afraid of being creative is financial support. This is the kind of support that causes the student to put a huge “but” in front of his wished-for project. When a researcher tries to think about a new development, the first thing that comes to mind is how to supply the money needed for his project. Perhaps most plans have failed because of this major factor. Since students and researchers have not been hired yet, they can’t get over that barrier unless somebody gives them a hand. The second major factor is relatives’ and friends’ support. It is important from the psychological and emotional point of view for the person. You can have the intention to do something, and once someone close to you discourages you, the intention will disappear. Families and friends have to work together to help this creative person by encouraging, supporting and sustaining him. The significant part here is dealing with children. A lot of talented kids can abandon their hobbies and skills because of a little word from their parents. Even if the expected idea is pretty imaginary and fanciful, we should keep believing in this promising person and support him to the end. Thirdly, the technical support arises. It’s true that the one who tries to invent, discover or develop something has knowledge, but he still needs extra help. As an example, a second level student at college would need further information from an instructor with a PhD or Master’s. These kinds of instructors ought to give a hand to this student, otherwise he is not going to have a clear vision of his project and consequently it will fail. A 5-minute question would not affect the lecturer’s precious time but it will affect the whole future of this one student. By gathering all these factors we come up with the fact that it is everybody’s responsibility to develop the community in every way possible. One of these ways is to help creative students and researchers as much as we can. The major part lies on the shoulders of the person himself. He has to have enough strength to challenge the problems facing him by being firm, willing and patient. So let’s all try to erase the word “but” from our future plans and replace it by the statement “Yes, I can”. Finally, keep this in mind: whether you are smart or not, never say but. « return.