The near perfect college

   The college nearly for me: thus is the description of St. John’s college. I am in love with books.

Everyone who knows me well know that I am taking all my spare moments either reading or climbing trees. St. John’s reading program is exactly what I would love. Sitting around talking about Plato’s Apology, Homer’s Odyssey, or Roger Green’s Fable of Troy sounds like heaven! It also sounds like Honors Western Civ. 1. We sit around a table, receive a brief lecture on the time period around the book, then discuss what the book says. This formula, while not exactly like St. John’s, is what works the best for me. It fits perfectly in that zone of proximal development. It requires just enough output from me to keep me interested, but also just enough difficulty to keep me thinking. Sadly, this is the only class I have that works this way. All my other classes, except Honors Orientation, have one textbook where we read it before class, then are taught the exact same stuff in a long boring, probably sleep filled, lecture. I hate it. As I was reading through St. John’s description (4 years of Ancient Greek, no lectures, 1-8 faculty-student ration, etc.) I wondered why I never applied there, minus the exception that they wouldn’t teach my major. I even considered transferring, but I looked a bit closer and saw something I completely forgot about; the Professors lecture us because they actually know what they are talking about. While it’s great and very important that we spend time in discussion, we also need to be taught and lectured because we aren’t all knowing being like God.

Tis the end of the book. sad, I was starting to love it.

Here be the words of Shane slathered upon a page. I don’t do well with new people. I’m not much of a conversationalist and I tend to say/do stupid things when I’m nervous or tired. I typically try to avoid hanging with people I don’t know well because I feel like I’d be a nuisance or a burden to them. I love it when people come talk to me though. If someone takes the time to come over and say hi, that’s someone I could be friends with and talk to. In light of these circumstances, I didn’t do what I was asked for this prompt. However, I know perfectly well what it’s like to meet new people randomly. For me it’s very awkward and I tend to shut up like a clam. My hands usually are connected and start fidgeting, drawing intricate webs per say. I don’t speak unless asked to and I certainly don’t ask questions. This only takes place when I am in a relaxed environment. If I was in class and I was put with people I don’t know for a group, I work just fine. I’m still nervous but I tend to lead the conversation and distribute ideas. The difference is that I don’t actually have to “meet” these people, just work with them. Thus ends the random ramblings of Shane Buxman.