I have always been a rather indecisive person when it comes to academic decisions – do I study science or arts? History or mathematics? Philosophy or physics or psychology? These are the decisions that we are required to make during our studies in school, and which often dictate where we end up in university and beyond. In this day and age, I believe that there is a pressure to be good at one particular thing and see it through – as though each person has a mind for a particular subject, without the need for balance or breadth of study.
During my schooling, in high school and beyond, I have always been questioned for my academic interests – why would someone choose to go to university and study a joint degree in astrophysics and English? – but I believe that it is this breadth which makes any perspective unique and valuable in having productive discussions and generating creative, interdisciplinary ideas. Most of all, it is the exposure to different modes of thinking and approaches to problems that impacts the way we approach decisions and issues in our own lives. Being able to think methodically like a statistician, but to compose arguments like a philosopher, to communicate concisely and effectively as a writer, are all important skills which allow us to be well-rounded members of society and to make a positive impact on our environment and other members of our community.
Therefore, we should encourage all students to pursue any interests that they have, no matter how small, because it is in exploring these avenues that we discover the endless pool of things to learn while improving ourselves along the way!

Tyler Klinger