For my liberal education journey at Bishop’s University, I had the chance to take two electives that I never would’ve thought to sign up for, but I’m glad I did. Math and Art are two drastically different subjects but the way I went about being introduced to them in a post-secondary context has really made university more fun.
I Took a Math Class and Didn’t Die
Ok, I had not taken a math class since high school, which seemed like over a century ago and, yes, I was worried I would be completely lost, but the class mentioned games in its description, so I thought I’d give it a shot.
MAT106: Problems, Puzzles, and Games challenged us to think outside the box, and I wasn’t sure I had the skills. Working together in groups, though, turned the course into something not only manageable but genuinely enjoyable. I found myself talking with friends that I never got to see at school. Otherwise who had a stronger grasp on math and were able to explain concepts in ways that clicked for me.
Classmates who were stronger in math helped me work through problems, turning stress into collaboration and fun. Their ability to help me work through problems made the puzzles more exciting rather than daunting. Together, we tackled the course’s challenges and ended up doing well in the class.
I started building connections with people I wouldn’t normally interact with. I realized that cross-disciplinary relationships were just as valuable as those within my own field of study. And it wasn’t just math students that I got to bond with. A lot of Business, Sports Studies and Education students were in the class too. I believe learning to work with all kinds of people is one of the most beneficial things about a more liberal educational experience that you will find at Bishop’s.
Monday Morning Paint Sesh
Then came the painting class. Before I enrolled in this course, I didn’t particularly like art. Like, at all. I had never even taken it in high school. I’d hardly ever been the kind of person to sit down and spend time being creative. The thought of being patient with a paintbrush and expressing myself through color just didn’t appeal to me.
So, when I signed up for this painting class, I was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone. I expected it to be awkward and frustrating, and, in many ways, it was! I was actually so horrible at it, and my paintings looked nothing like what I envisioned.
However, I found that there was something surprisingly enjoyable about the process itself. The class, which was scheduled on Monday mornings, turned out to be the perfect way to kick off my day and week. Starting with something as calm and creative as painting gave me a sense of peace that carried me through the rest of my day. The small class size made it even better. I had the chance to work closely with the teacher, who was incredibly supportive, especially when it came to those of us who lacked technical skill (that’s me).
Why So Serious?
Now, I have new friends who love math and make me smarter and paintings hanging in my university apartment that I created myself. While they might not be gallery-worthy, they are colourful reminders of the fun, silly moments that university has allowed me to have.
They capture a time when I stepped outside of my little bubble and tried something I never thought I’d enjoy or be good at. Every time I see them, I remember that university lets you be goofy, dive into the messiness of trying something new, and just enjoy it. School doesn’t always have to be so serious and sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself.
