Backdated post: written 26/9, 4:24AM

What is the difference between learning and studying? Is there a stark difference between the two really? Admittedly, I do not have oodles of time to ponder how likey the two may differ, but it was just a thought that struck me a couple of days back as I was stoically trashing through my revision. Perhaps it seems like a rather trifle thought, as afterall, they are merely terms. And terminology often does not account greatly for the actual substance of things.

Nonetheless, it seems like a very interesting school of thought to me. I guess personally I would choose to think of learning as developing a passion for acquiring new knowledge and skills. While studying, maybe more the process of achieving the results of learning. I remember reading the definition of both terms a few days back, though only remnants of the latter's stuck with me, so as much as I can recall as of now – studying: the devotion of time and attention to a particular field (or something along that line). If so, how does studying differ from mugging, as students these days choose to call it? The act of mechanically cramming information into our minds without much consideration. Then again, we probably do not harbour much capacity left of 'consider', taking into account the amount of memory space dedicated to "cramming". Excess thought would only obstruct the efficient process of cramming information, won't it? Congestion, blockage, mental block.

It almost seems like force-feeding to me; as long as that brain-food gets down your throat somehow and remain there for a considerable length of time, just enough to aid you through the Paper, you are poised for success. What utter load of bullshit.

Then again, I guess if that is the way society envisions learning – simply absorbing facts and concepts absurdly like a thoughtless sponge – then maybe it will, indeed, work. Afterall, if the world thinks it, anything goes. I like to think. Yes I do, I like to think. It is really queer, and it does not seem to get me anywhere, more often than not. But somehow I do favour thought process; it unlocks new ideas and expands your mental boundaries unknowingly. It does result in me overthinking things sometimes too though. Yet its frustrating how I detest thinking excessively about the things that I ought to be dwelling over – logarithms, particular nature of particles, formation of landforms, acids and salts, graphs... The list is inexhaustible.

Perhaps that explains why I enjoy taking humanities subjects more – I really am gratified for such subjects, like social studies and literature, which encourages thought. I mean, of course there is the memorising of background information for these subjects as well, which is also an unavoidable onerous task, but I think I can handle that. Humanities. Small reminders of our form in an advancing highly-technological world – humans. Yes, so I like these subjects even though my grades are not particularly stellar.

So, should thought process not be promoted over brainless memorising? How much does a student truly profit from memorising text wholesale and regurgitating? As much as I loathe it, at the end of the day, past all the ranting and complaining, I still do what is expected: conforming and memorising.

If I had it my way, the choice to decide, I will want to spend my time growing my passion for learning instead. Growing it like a plant. I will put all my attention and energy into cultivating that passion, watching every bud blossom with every season change. I will grow it so vast, it exceeds its basic purpose of providing sustenance. For the fruits of passionate learning will be – is – a delicacy. It is a privilege. An indulge that we have grown to forbid ourselves from enjoying.

But will I ever get a chance to grow that passion? Perhaps one fine day when living up to academic expectations and surviving financially independently are no longer burning priorities. Perhaps one fine day after I retire, if that day ever comes. I will then dedicate my late years to developing that passion for learning. I shall.

But maybe, even if that day does come, and I finally reap the fulfilling rewards of my yield, life will still surreptitiously steal the sweet joy away from me. Imagine, when I finally do get that fruit: biting deep into the succulent flesh of the fruit of my labour, the tangible taste on the palate, the tender texture of happiness; but then, my teeth will eventually strike the dry hard seed of reality below. And all that will remain is a slippery memory of the tongue's delight.
(this paragraph just can't seem to carry off without sounding wrong)

Even so, I await the day I reach that knowledge-infused Nirvana, one where learning is boundless and expectations are zilch. The freedom to learn as you wish, as you please, as you want is – just so out of reach. A reserved right. A right currently so entirely out of my league. So I do await the day. But yet if it truly does not come eventually, maybe I will succumb to mental obsoleteness instead. It is, really, that tough to fight for such a fantasied world. Realism is the killer of bliss. Is that why some people live with the desire to go to heaven someday? To live to see it once, and never return to tell the tale.

But if I could, I would.

Backdated post: written 26/9, 4:24AM

What is the difference between learning and studying? Is there a stark difference between the two really? Admittedly, I do not have oodles of time to ponder how likey the two may differ, but it was just a thought that struck me a couple of days back as I was stoically trashing through my revision. Perhaps it seems like a rather trifle thought, as afterall, they are merely terms. And terminology often does not account greatly for the actual substance of things.

Nonetheless, it seems like a very interesting school of thought to me. I guess personally I would choose to think of learning as developing a passion for acquiring new knowledge and skills. While studying, maybe more the process of achieving the results of learning. I remember reading the definition of both terms a few days back, though only remnants of the latter's stuck with me, so as much as I can recall as of now – studying: the devotion of time and attention to a particular field (or something along that line). If so, how does studying differ from mugging, as students these days choose to call it? The act of mechanically cramming information into our minds without much consideration. Then again, we probably do not harbour much capacity left of 'consider', taking into account the amount of memory space dedicated to "cramming". Excess thought would only obstruct the efficient process of cramming information, won't it? Congestion, blockage, mental block.

It almost seems like force-feeding to me; as long as that brain-food gets down your throat somehow and remain there for a considerable length of time, just enough to aid you through the Paper, you are poised for success. What utter load of bullshit.

Then again, I guess if that is the way society envisions learning – simply absorbing facts and concepts absurdly like a thoughtless sponge – then maybe it will, indeed, work. Afterall, if the world thinks it, anything goes. I like to think. Yes I do, I like to think. It is really queer, and it does not seem to get me anywhere, more often than not. But somehow I do favour thought process; it unlocks new ideas and expands your mental boundaries unknowingly. It does result in me overthinking things sometimes too though. Yet its frustrating how I detest thinking excessively about the things that I ought to be dwelling over – logarithms, particular nature of particles, formation of landforms, acids and salts, graphs... The list is inexhaustible.

Perhaps that explains why I enjoy taking humanities subjects more – I really am gratified for such subjects, like social studies and literature, which encourages thought. I mean, of course there is the memorising of background information for these subjects as well, which is also an unavoidable onerous task, but I think I can handle that. Humanities. Small reminders of our form in an advancing highly-technological world – humans. Yes, so I like these subjects even though my grades are not particularly stellar.

So, should thought process not be promoted over brainless memorising? How much does a student truly profit from memorising text wholesale and regurgitating? As much as I loathe it, at the end of the day, past all the ranting and complaining, I still do what is expected: conforming and memorising.

If I had it my way, the choice to decide, I will want to spend my time growing my passion for learning instead. Growing it like a plant. I will put all my attention and energy into cultivating that passion, watching every bud blossom with every season change. I will grow it so vast, it exceeds its basic purpose of providing sustenance. For the fruits of passionate learning will be – is – a delicacy. It is a privilege. An indulge that we have grown to forbid ourselves from enjoying.

But will I ever get a chance to grow that passion? Perhaps one fine day when living up to academic expectations and surviving financially independently are no longer burning priorities. Perhaps one fine day after I retire, if that day ever comes. I will then dedicate my late years to developing that passion for learning. I shall.

But maybe, even if that day does come, and I finally reap the fulfilling rewards of my yield, life will still surreptitiously steal the sweet joy away from me. Imagine, when I finally do get that fruit: biting deep into the succulent flesh of the fruit of my labour, the tangible taste on the palate, the tender texture of happiness; but then, my teeth will eventually strike the dry hard seed of reality below. And all that will remain is a slippery memory of the tongue's delight.
(this paragraph just can't seem to carry off without sounding wrong)

Even so, I await the day I reach that knowledge-infused Nirvana, one where learning is boundless and expectations are zilch. The freedom to learn as you wish, as you please, as you want is – just so out of reach. A reserved right. A right currently so entirely out of my league. So I do await the day. But yet if it truly does not come eventually, maybe I will succumb to mental obsoleteness instead. It is, really, that tough to fight for such a fantasied world. Realism is the killer of bliss. Is that why some people live with the desire to go to heaven someday? To live to see it once, and never return to tell the tale.

But if I could, I would.