It was that time of the year again: course selection and registration. I often dread this
stressful process, as it generally involves meticulous planning and coordination so as to enroll in
courses that correspond with both my personal schedule and desire to take them in the first place.
Last semester, however, as either an attempt to alleviate this stress, or simply as a decision made
on a whim, I decided to try something new.
As a third year student, I luckily have the privilege at this point in my academic career to
be able to pursue courses and experiences that are not specifically required for my major but
open to anyone who may be interested. This is precisely what I decided to do when selecting
courses last semester, and the personal growth and new experiences that I have been a part of
thus far have been incredibly eye-opening. This process of stepping out of my comfort zone and
taking classes I wouldn’t typically consider engaging with, at first, felt a bit strange; especially as
I am a science major who enjoys sticking to the status quo in most cases—especially when it
comes to devising a schedule each semester. That being said, however, the two courses I decided
to take that fall outside of my general field of study have provided new and highly insightful
experiences that have yet to be matched within the required courses I have taken thus far.
The two courses I decided to take on a whim are “Environmental Sociology” and “Youth
Development in Community.” It just so happens that both of these classes have provided me with
opportunities to venture off campus and interact with members of the community—an
opportunity that has never been offered within my other classes in the past—which has certainly
enriched my learning as both a student in each of these classes as well as a member of my own
community and sphere of influence.
Referring to the former of the two classes mentioned previously, my professor invited us
on an optional field trip to visit a local organic farmer who shared his techniques and experiences
in the realm of regenerative farming. Hearing about some of these topics in class has been
insightful, but the ability I had to step outside the classroom and into an environment where these
topics aren’t simply topics anymore—they are real-world scenarios that impact the way in which
a member of my community makes a living—was incredibly moving and foundational to my
understanding of environmental sociology in my everyday life and the world around me. I like to
believe that experiences like this shape who I am as a person, and allow me to recognize how
interconnected each of us are with those around us, and how much we can truly learn from each
other.
The circumstances in which I decided to enroll in “Youth Development in Community”
slightly differ from my motivation behind enrolling in “Environmental Sociology.” Where I
could see a connection to my major of biology within the realm of environmental sociology,
community youth development seemed, at a glance, to have little relevance to my field of study.
However, after engaging with class during these first weeks of classes, and meeting with the
community partners that I have the privilege of collaborating with, I have realized how beneficial
this course has been not only to my experience at Naz thus far—it has changed my perspective
and widened my horizons as a member of society.
Sure, it may sound a bit odd for a biology major to say that she has learned so much
from classes that do not explicitly pertain to her major, yet the skills I have gained from only a
few class meetings and interactions have proven to be invaluable. Where I once found it difficult
to make new connections and embrace the diversity around me, I now find myself celebrating
these topics, and being more aware of the knowledge derived and exchanged from every
interaction I have. It’s things like this that have proven to me that learning does not have to come
in the form of gaining information or memorizing equations—it can come as a product of new
experiences and the formation of new relationships that will continue to impact me for the rest of
my life.
Veronica is a biology major from Henrietta, New York with a passion for seeking opportunities to grow as a person and advocate for positive and fundamental change within my community.