This week, I had the opportunity to reflect on the course. I was anticipating another typical class with lectures full of information to memorise but I would soon forget. However, I am feeling completely different about the class now. After every single week focused on a different aspect of the environment, I gained a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation. The lectures felt like stories rather than text on a slide and every time we had a class discussion, it was inspiring to see so many like-minded students. This course exceeded my expectations, I was expecting to feel discouraged learning of how inevitable the end of our planet is and learn of all the negatives surrounding this topic. But instead, I was educated on feasible solutions. I was previously hung up on the idea that I personally could not make a difference by myself but am glad to know that change is possible through real specific solutions and collaboration. The values and skills I am leaving the class with revolve around my newfound appreciation for the environment and the skills I picked up from the hard conversations we had in class. I am motivated to have more conversations about sustainability with my community, starting with my friends and hopefully expanding to even strangers in the near future. The hard conversations have made me realise that not all conversations have to have a clear goal. Rather, the act of discussing an important topic actually contributes to making a change as it helps people to start thinking of the possibilities and bring light to environmental topics that are so often overlooked. Leaving this course I want to take what I learned and move forward to making a change in my planet, unleashing my values for many years to come.
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Hi Sara, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. It touches on the same thoughts I've had coming into and out of this course. I also agree about how this course felt more so centered on storytelling and not memorizable lecture content.
Hi Sara!
I loved reading your wrap-up post! It is beautifully written! I totally agree with you that this class felt so different from anything I've taken before! From the hard conversations, to the stories we got to listen to, to creating the final workshop, this class has given me so many new skills and knowledge and I also hope to continue to unleash my values within my community!
Totally agree about how compelling the story-telling like format was. Found myself actively engaged even through the three-hour lectures.
This class has only further solidified my confidence that choosing enviro. science as a degree was one of the best decisions I have made. It has surrounded me with great people and has made me more passionate about solving our planet's problems
Hi Sara! I also feel the same way about this course. It was way more fun and interesting than I have initially thought. The hard conversation was definitely an impactful activity because it really put us in a situation where we had to discuss what we learned from class and transform it so that our friends/family members could understand.
Hi Sara I absolutely agree with you! I also believe I would forget most of the contents in other courses but this class is different. I really enjoyed learning those feasible solutions and I'm pretty sure we are all able to make our own individual changes for the environment.
Hi Sara,
I feel the same about this course! I was really able to sit and enjoy the learning process rather than stressing over which facts I needed to memorize. I wish more classes could be like ENVR 430
Hi Sara, you brought up such an important point! I've forgotten a lot of my first year and second year content in math, physics, and chem since I didn't continue learning about them after the course ended. But for ENVR 430, I'll remember what I learned with Kai for a long, long time.
Hi Sara! I agree, I really liked how the course showed us that we are in a position to make a change even though it may seem like the problem is impossible to tackle.
I also loved how much I took away from this course. Traditionally, I would forget the course content by the end of the term, but the way this was taught made the info almost an integral part of how I act in responding to environmental issues now. Nice reflection, Sara <3
I agree that this course really helped us learn not only the problem but helped us really think about the solutions and how we can bring change!