A Scholarly Prefect Thought of the Week— Xanthe Jones
A common message often repeated here at RHS is to seize every opportunity you can. When we are told this, it is more than likely than not in relation to the numerous extracurricular activities available to us: sport, CCF, debating, music.
This is excellent advice, and I urge all of you to follow it. However, I would like to offer you the same advice, but set in the context of academic endeavour. I put it to you that if you treat your academic work with the same enthusiasm and vigour as you do a rugby match, you may find it just as, if not more, rewarding than those non- academic pursuits. These rewards come not just in the form of good results; personally, I find little more satisfying than cracking a maths problem long struggled with, or finally carving out a coherent translation for a piece of Latin prep. Now, you may call me a nerd for saying this, and you would be right to do so; I will be the first to admit that I am one. But I don’t think this is a bad thing. I have found a passion for the things that I study, as I hope you will too.
I implore you all to find your inner nerd; don’t worry about whether it’s ‘cool’ or not – find your own niche, find the things that make you excited, and allow yourself to be nerdy about them. Every subject offered here, and the many more that become available once you leave, are filled with interesting facts just waiting to be uncovered, and you can’t feel the satisfaction of uncovering them unless you allow yourself to try.
The willingness and enthusiasm to learn is just as important as natural aptitude, whether it be for biology, art, PE, or Latin. If you put that same enthusiasm from band practice or English into maths or Science, you may find that you can excel just as much in your academic career as in your sporting activities. If you take the opportunity, for example, to talk to your teachers, ask niche questions, go to the library, or research ideas you have. The academic world is your playground; a playground full of exciting new experiences, and one which we can all learn to enjoy.
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