Stevenson

Today in class, we discussed whether or not Stevenson's mentality about grades being important instead of learning is teaching us the right lessons in life. That kid who tries really hard, but isn't naturally smart is more likely to get the benefit of the doubt than the more knowledgeable student in the class. I think that there are both benefits and drawbacks to the way that schools in general unintentionally enforce this mentality in students. While it is good to encourage kids to try their hardest, it also shows people that knowing something isn't what actually matters, which is contradictory here at Stevenson. We are taught that grades are everything, no matter our effort, yet when a kid tries hard the teachers give them that extra edge. Well if grades are all that matters, how does someones effort influence that grade? A lot of the smartest kids at Stevenson do not apply themselves, yet when it comes to testing they score the highest of anyone. I'm not sure how Stevenson sees these kids. On one hand, they are not achieving the grades they possibly could, yet they do still have these craved high test scores that the school puts so much emphasis upon. Sometimes, I feel that this school isn't the great learning place it is made out to be. We are pushed so hard to get grades here, but how will that play out in the real world? Also, even the best is not good enough here. The first time I took the ACT, my score was over a 30, and I was told that I should probably take it again if I was to be sure that I would get into the colleges of my choice. To me that showed that good is not good enough. We need to be perfect to be praised here at Stevenson. I think that this school often brings down the brightest of kids despite all the hype we get.

Tuesdays with Morrie-Love

The movie, Tuesday's with Morrie, discussed love quite a bit. I think that his statement, "love eachother or die" carries a lot of meaning that many people today don't realize. In America today, I think people close themselves off from love. For some reason, people are afraid to love eachother. Morrie discusses love between friends and family, not necessarily romantic love. I think that this kind of love is the most important. Love for ones friends and family is the kind of love that will last forever, while romantic loves often come and go. In our society, I believe that one needs to love oneself before they can truely love another. I think that this is a major reason for the lack of the kind of love that Morrie discusses in the movie. Another problem that I think is becoming more apparent in society is the use of the world love too loosely. Especially when it comes to romantic relationships with teens, today the word seems to be tossed around and loses its true meaning. A lot of times, I think that this could connect to the fear of loving that many people have. If they say the word, they feel they are facing this fear, yet truely they are avoiding it even more. In the end, I think Morrie was right, as humans we need love and it makes life worth living.

Does money buy happiness?

Today, in class, we discussed whether money causes happiness. We know that there is a direct correlation between unhappiness and money. I think that as Americans, we think that money is the most important factor in our lives. We are willing to do just about anything for money, but oftentimes the measures we take to achieve this money and what we ultimately think is happiness have quite the opposite affect. Also, I believe that we are a very materialistic society and that often times we think that buying the newest or biggest tv is going to enhance our lives, when in reality it doesn't do anything to ultimately better our lives. Oftentimes we buy on impulse or for short term satisfaction, but this feeling wears down quite quickly and ultimately does not increase our overall happiness. Another factor that I think increases happiness amoung those with less money is that they value what they do have. When a person has less money, they take pride in their hard work and the prized possessions they are able to afford. I think that this feeling of satisfaction is greatly important but also greatly lacking in America today.