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Ponder with Peter

What are you going to do next?

At the end of my board year there were always three things people would ask me. “How did you experience your board year? Are you glad it is almost at its end? What is next for you? Now the first two questions don’t surprise me, although I do think that the second question is a bit odd. I was only ever glad my board year ended, because all good things have to come to an end. It simply was the best time of my student life, so how can I want such a thing to end? That set aside, the last question never ceased to baffle me.

In my, and many other cases, the answer “I am going to study” would simply not suffice. It is an answer that is rarely given, but which should be more common. In essence the reason why we call ourselves students, is because we study. This should be our top priority throughout these years. And for most it is. More and more students finish their degrees sooner. But the ‘need’ for experience outside of the curriculum is as great as ever. Committees, a board year, involvement with the university and many more forms of extracurricular activities are seen as a must-have for every student wanting distinguish himself from his peers.

To me, the question what I am going to do after my board year insinuates compulsion. I feel a pressure of some sorts. As if I am obliged to do more than ‘just’ my studies. But why? Is it because we challenge ourselves and others around us when the study fails to do so? Are we pushed to do this so we can build our CV and get the best possible job for us out there? Perhaps it is the other way around and companies ask for these extracurricular activities because we seem to do them. A sort of social and moral obligation is starting to exist to fulfill these demands.bWhatever the reason, I am starting to despise the pressure to excel that is put on us. No matter where- or whomever this pressure may come from. Your studies are, or at least should be, a full time job. There is enough reading and learning material. It is what should make up your schedule each week.

We strain ourselves. And I am starting to wonder what the consequences for those not capable to cope with all this extra stress are. It might distinguish the calf from the chaff, but at what cost? I know I have had times at which I, due to the ever increasing pile of work I was gathering, found myself in stress and agony. Of course, this is a choice I made myself and one I have always supported. Personally I often feel and perform best when overwhelmed with work. This is not the case for everyone though. Please don’t get me wrong, I strongly support personal development and cultivating knowledge outside our studies. I believe the opportunity to do so should be integrated as much as possible within our beautiful city. I do not, however, believe any obligation of having to do so should be present. At all.

Peter Karrenbelt