"No need to be anybody but oneself."

(This post is inspired by our class reading of The Phantom Tollbooth.)

     I have procrastinated in writing this biblioblog post because, quite naturally, it's hard for me to think of something needless that students learn in school. If someone had asked me this way back in Middle School (which, by the way, nobody did), I would have made a huge long list starting with rivers in France, fractions, the planets, decimals, Mesopotamia, percentages,World War I, and geometrical shapes. Of course, that's only because at the time I thought all these topics were quite boring (although I was a good student - you can ask my mom to show you my old report cards!) and had absolutely no idea that they would become interesting to me later on in life when I just became, well, curious about more things going on in the world.

     After all, a middle school student really can't look into the future and see what he/she might actually need or want to know about later in life. How can you have any idea what you'll end up doing with your life??
     I really don't like the idea of people making comments such as: "You won't need to know that for your job later in life!"
     For one thing, how do you know? You haven't yet met your future self! 

     For another thing, we do a lot more in life than just go to work (fortunately!).

     Finally, it's quite surprising how much seemingly random knowledge and wisdom can be used to do your job even though it might seem as though none of it is directly related to your actual job. 
     People with interests in all kinds of areas are the best people to work with. Why? The answer is: they have a point of view on particular issues and are able to solve problems in unexpected ways. You never know how much someone's knowledge of the ancient Greeks gives them insight on how to attack and solve problems relating to the stock market. I have seen it happen.

     In short, everything we learn is a building block to something else, which is exactly what one of the Princesses in The Phantom Tollbooth meant when she said to Milo: "All the things you learn today will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow."

     However, you can see that I am sort of avoiding the topic of this biblioblog post! That's not good. After all, I assigned the topic and have promised to do it. 
     I know you might be thinking right now: "All right, get to the point, Ms. Forbes. What do you think is needless to learn in school?"

     Well, you're going to be surprised to read what I have to say, but I actually believe that it is needless to try to teach students to be more extroverted or introverted. We sometimes try to do this in Advisory but, if you want to know the truth, I don't think we really can nor, in fact, really should. I have been reading some psychology articles lately and have discovered that psychologists consider the quality of being either extroverted or introverted one of the five big personality traits with which people are born.

     In other words, our brains are wired to be either extroverted or introverted, so it would be pointless to try to learn to be different.

Here are some definitions to help you understand.

Extroverted:  People who are extroverted tend to seek out social stimulation and opportunities to engage with others. They are often described as being full of life, energy, and positivity. In group situations, extroverts are likely to talk often and assert themselves.

Introverted: Introverts are people who tend to be quiet, reserved, and less involved in social situations. Being introverted and being shy are not the same thing. People who are introverts are not afraid of social situations; they simply prefer to spend more time alone and do not need as much social stimulations.

Which one are you? Be happy!! It is needless to teach you to be different! 

"No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but onself."

Virginia Woolf

It is indeed true that being a positive group member is something that teachers want their students to know how to do. Both extroverts and introverts can be good at working with others when the situation calls for it. However, sometimes in Advisory, we try too hard to get students to be more outgoing and talkative when it would be all right for them to just listen and think. I believe that teachers do need to remember that there are many ways for students to learn, and that certain fundamental personality traits need not be changed.

On the other hand, while it is needless to learn to be a completely different person, it is certainly useful to know how to learn best and enjoy life to the fullest with the personality traits you were born with.

This is exactly what Susan Cain talks about in this excellent video from TED TALKS (do you know the TED  TALKS videos??) called "The Power of Introverts." She reminds us that many people love to explore "the adventure of their own minds."

Enjoy the video! (It's in English with French subtitles)


Susain Cain: The Power of Introverts     TED TALKS: The Power of Introverts


Let's not be stuck on just saying, "This is the way I am and I can't be anything different." 
Here is an amazing video that only lasts 10 minutes. Amy Purdy talks about her journey to become a professional snowboarder despite losing both her legs! 
It is really inspiring!  


Amy Purdy: Living Beyond our Limits