Day 7 - Are We Preparing Students for the World Outside the Classroom?

Our students need to learn that to understand any business, they need to understand people, and the first step to understanding people is for them to understand themselves.?

Hey Fam,

Thanks for stopping by.?

Question for you.?

When you're planning your semester or the lecture for the day, do you ever stop and think: Am I getting my students ready for life outside the class or just for the test coming up?

This question challenged me to reflect on my teaching approach and evaluate how effective I was at preparing my students personally and professionally.?There are many times when I feel caught in the middle, struggling to balance the official "student learning outcomes" against teaching important life skills.

I want to teach my students human skills like the nuances of effective communication, empathy, how to overcome self-doubt, and how to push through adversity when things don't go as planned.

But there was this constant tug-of-war, with institutional goals on one end and my desire to help students develop as whole, well-rounded humans on the other.?And somewhere, while aligning with academic standards and ensuring job readiness, the essence of nurturing their human spirit seemed to be slipping through the cracks.

So, last year, I decided to intertwine life lessons with academic learning in my Senior Residency course (one of the final courses students take before graduating).

Inspired by Unlearn: 101 Simple Truths for a Better Life by Humble the Poet (I highly recommend you read it), I brought my students on a journey to explore the essence of unlearning the many misconceptions and societal pressures that bind us. Using this book as a jumping-off point for our class discussions, I shared stories from my life, where the principles of unlearning paved the way for personal growth and understanding.?

One lesson revolved around the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.?

I reflected on my early days as an educator, how I stumbled, made mistakes, and faced criticism. Yet, through these trials, I learned the most valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the courage to keep going. My story served as a mirror for my students, reflecting the undeniable truth that life experiences often provide the most impactful lessons that you simply can't get from a traditional textbook.

I connected the lessons from the book to case studies of executives of Fortune 500 companies who made massive mistakes in business because they were closed-minded or weren't willing to "unlearn" traditional ways of doing things.?

The students loved the book!

Even more so, they appreciated the class discussions and working to connect the dots between personal and professional development. These conversations opened their eyes to how their personal journeys could shape their professional paths. They began to see themselves beyond just students or future job seekers, but as whole individuals with the potential to make a meaningful impact in whatever career they chose. I was on to something.

From this experience, I learned some key lessons.?

1- Bring "Life" Into the Class:??

Introducing books that focus on self-improvement and personal growth into the curriculum can spark deep discussions and reflections that students can apply in various professional contexts, teaching them that the path to professional excellence often begins with personal transformation.

2 - Embrace and Share Failure:?

It's important to show students that failure isn't the end of the road; it's part of the journey.?

Sharing my setbacks illustrated that stumbling is an opportunity for growth, not a sign to give up.

3. Unlearning is Learning:?

By challenging students to "unlearn" outdated or narrow-minded thinking, we open the door to innovation and adaptability.?

I challenge you to think about this: How will you bring life into your classroom??

I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and try new ways to prepare your students for more than just exams and research papers but for the ups and downs of real life. Teach them human skills that often aren't available in traditional textbooks or academic journals. Remember, it's our job to invest in the whole of our students, not just the future professionals.?

We are on the front lines of change.?

Our students need to learn that to understand any business, they need to understand people, and the first step to understanding people is for them to understand themselves.?

Thanks for your time today.?

I appreciate you.?

Much Love,

Dr. Jae

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