Take Your Time
There is a pervasive mindset that can be felt immediately upon arriving at Yeshiva University. It’s both palpable and understandable: the feeling that you must finish your undergraduate studies as fast as possible.
It is only natural — perhaps even instinctual — to rush our way through things. For many reasons, especially as young individuals waiting to encounter all the excitement and special opportunities we hope life will bring us, we feel burdened to get through various stages of our lives. At YU, that sometimes translates into a rush to finish classes, major requirements and extracurricular obligations, in order to move on to the next phase of our lives, whatever that might be.
Some may argue there is a sense that you are here to receive a degree because you have to and then leave and advance to graduate school or a job. As young individuals, not only are we narrowly focused on the professional future, but sometimes our haste and desire comes at the cost of not even entertaining our status as undergraduate students. There is a preoccupation in what comes next but also a lack of interest in the academic environment that should be fostered for students, especially those that will be there for four years. There is a lack of emphasis on what currently is around us, which is worrisome.
As a current senior, I have spent much time resisting the urge to rush through my classes and have tried to appreciate ideas that I learn here. I often find myself applying concepts I learn about in my biology courses to life at large and taking the ideas I learn in limudei kodesh as a way to grapple with an ever-changing world around us. Both my religious and secular studies here have immeasurably impacted the way I feel as a Jew. I have found my experience at YU ever more meaningful because of my choice to “stop and smell the roses.” Heeding my parents’ advice, I tried not to rush through each semester by piling on classes; I came to understand that college is my time to choose. I have only one opportunity to be an undergraduate student and I want to appreciate my time here. I want to stop now and give thought to the ideas that face us.
Sometimes, students are not entering the room and considering all the ideas around them, but instead walking right by the room and past the hallway. They do not appreciate the holy place around them — the sanctuary of the university. This is the only chance that students will have in their lives to deal with these ideas because later they will be busy with other responsibilities. Later, we won’t have the opportunity again to grapple with ideas the way we do now.
A saying I don’t like, but is often heard is “youth is wasted on the young.” As an undergraduate student, one only has a short time where they have open opportunities at their fingertips ready for them to explore. For us, the YU student body, now is that time. To waste it on solely desiring an A in every course or rushing through it for a temporal reason, does not make sense to me either.
Although we are not meant to stay here forever nor would I encourage it, I urge you, the incoming class, to take time to appreciate all that YU has to offer — the rebbeim, small classes, religious values, even all the hyper-niche clubs that are here and, of course, writing for The Commentator.
In my case, after thoroughly enjoying my time taking Sense of Music, one of the general education requirement options at Stern College, I went on to take Chamber Ensemble, a course that changed my entire perspective on music. So what? Well, that class challenged my preconceived understanding of music and years of piano lessons. While I was only used to playing piano by myself, when I played with an ensemble, I very quickly realized everyone literally has to be on the same page and note. No one wants to be the one that messes up the ensemble. I realized that there is an application to playing piano and simultaneously, there is the importance of working on it in a group — each musician’s instrument blending together to create one sound.
Upon greater consideration, my newfound love for the complexities of music is just one example of many experiences I am grateful to have had at YU. Whether a fully thought-out choice or not, having an open mind, even if just for a moment, gave me the privilege of adding those “extra” classes to my schedule and reaping the rewards.
It is certainly understandable to want to rush through things, especially school, if you don’t enjoy it. Of course, there is a financial burden accrued with every semester added. However, perhaps, we students, can change our mindsets; it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if you spent more time being focused on the here and now while you’re at YU. For example, you might accidentally fall into a class just because it is part of the core curriculum. So, instead of having the perspective that this class is stupid or I just want an “A”, think to yourself, “I have to take it anyways, I might as well try to enjoy it.”
Don’t be fooled by the often unquestioned yet extremely prominent expectation that you need to get out in three years. I suggest that you take advantage of your time here — you are only going to be an undergraduate college student once in your life. Slow down and appreciate all the good, the stress, the happy moments and the difficulties that come with it instead of being solely focused on the destination. That’s because the journey it takes you to get there is ultimately what shapes you, challenges you and gives you the strength and experience to encounter all that life brings.
