Seven reasons not to skip boring lessons

Column by Natasha Safina

My average Wednesday and Friday mornings begin with the alarm clock shouting “bara-bara-bara-bere-bere-bere”, but I just turn it off and go on sleeping. Then I suddenly wake up. I open my right eye and my attention is grabbed not by the time, but by the words on my blanket. “Seni seviyourum,” it says in Turkish. Good morning to you, typical Student of Foreign Languages Faculty. You don’t even think you’ve missed the first period again, only the Turkish phrase denoting “I love you” attracts your half-asleep mind.

I’m not a truant. I don’t skip English grammar or Journalism course or other practical subjects. But when it comes to useless ones... like audiovisual technologies (ATO). Fancy that, the ATO’s area of study tells you about things not used for 40 years! Yeah, when I grow up and earn my first million of dollars, I’ll definitely collect that kind of the highest art. Now there is no purpose to go there. Are you sure?  You’ll see.

Actually, the stereotype that a university should give students all-round education crashed in my mind not so long ago. To prove it, let’s point out a linguistic fact: the derivation of the Latin word “universitas” means totality. So it is multisectoral educational institution, where people are prepared in different fields, which states the variety of faculties teaching their own specialists of particular area. But Russian Ministry of Science and Education doesn’t approve of that idea. That’s why about 65% of my curriculum is filled by subjects where outdated material is taught in a dull way.

I daresay every student has the same problem. During these long 2 months of skipped ATO I found out there are about seven usual excuses “to wave a kiss” to the university in the morning. Here are they:

1.     You will get bored anyway.

Erm, dear, how can you think of that, if you don’t even know what may suddenly come to you?!  That’s why here is the first tip: get ready for surprise, as every day brings something new. Possibly, you just need to look at it with your wide eyes open or from a different angle.

2.  Oh, I’d better have a nice sleep. Hey, pillow, I love you!
Alarm! You might have had a heavy overstrain. Tomorrow you go to bed 2 hours earlier, to compensate today’s 7200 overslept seconds.

3.  Audiovisual technologies? What?! I don’t care.

Actually, you should, otherwise you might be expelled. Do you want to hear a sad story about the student of Foreign Languages Faculty not having received the degree because of the most awesome discipline?  If this thought is not helpful, remember that nice spiteful gaze you received while discussing your attendance.

4. Hey, I gave New Year Resolution to stop skipping ATO.
You make me laugh really. With your character the best way is to give resolution that you’ll never break New Year’s resolution. Therefore, try to find some kind of punishment for yourself. I mean literally, no bad thoughts here. For example, you make yourself do more at that subject you’ve missed. Or compensate ATO with physical training you don’t like.

For example, I did squatting. 50 times I did and shouted out some ATO facts. When mother saw it, she thought I had gone mad. Actually, I don’t think you are as masochistic as I am in this way.

Your logic might be: “Don’t you go to  ATO? Go by sweets to and fro! ”

5.  There is always a better way to spend the time.
Just kidding! And you can do it at the university, combining your presence at ATO classes and reading that brilliant novel by Erich Marie Remark or doing English home task for tomorrow.

6. I know everything about it.

How could I miss the day you became a know-all? Poor me! This mission is really impossible, even for James Bond. Don’t stop! Broaden your horizons with the help of Google. There are always some questions left, that you don’t take in and surely you’ll need to ask the teacher.

7. That awkward moment, I feel like doing nothing.
Congratulations! You are a representative coach potato! Every minute of your life is a treasure that is not to be spoiled, while others develop themselves. I hold the opinion that laziness is not the feature of the character, but a bad habit. Try to remain motionless for about 3-5 minutes.  Right now! Stand in the middle of the room, don’t listen to music, don’t think, just breathe in and out. And then you’ll feel strong desire to take action.

All in all, as some clever man stated centuries ago, the long way to Fuji starts with the first step. In your case it is a long road to the university. My list is an example of how I have overcome all this prejudices and pretexts. You can break the habit too! Remember! An attempt is no sin - if you try you may win ;)