Independent Study... Did You Know?

Did you know it was 65 million years ago that dinosaurs went extinct? Did you know the whale shark is the largest fish in the ocean? Did you know there are nine Muses in Greek mythology?

And did you know that when people are doing independent study, they are often able to zero in on their interests?

At Laurel Springs, students are taught the basics. However, at this unique kind of school, students are also able to spend an increasing amount of time learning about the specific things that really catch their attention. In my life, three topics that have really interested me are dinosaurs, marine biology and Greek myths.

I can’t say what it is about them, but I’m always happy to read up on certain topics. My interest in dinosaurs started early, back before I was even old enough to go to school. The truth is, I even knew more about dinosaurs when I was four than I do now. That’s the unfortunate reality of not being able to remember every detail you ever learn.

Back when I was younger, it had to be dinosaurs or I wasn’t going to have much interest. I wanted to read dinosaur books (or have them read to me). I had to have dinosaur toys. I had to watch dinosaur TV shows, even the ones aimed for older people that I didn’t fully understand. My parents let me have my dinosaur hobby, getting me the books I wanted, letting me choose toys, and videotaping the programs because I didn’t know how. They took me to museums so I could see the bones up close. I was always thrilled.

But a funny thing happened . . . as I got older, I got interested in things that haven’t been extinct 65 million years. Around the time I was eight, I got obsessed with animals alive today; namely, animals in the ocean. Then it was sea otters this, crustaceans that. I learned everything I could about marine biology, even if it meant not catching up on all my dinosaur reading. And then, after so much reading on sharks and dolphins, I continued to get interested in other things. Like Greek myths, and specific times in history. As soon as something would catch my interest, I’d want to learn whatever I could about that. That passion for knowledge on certain topics continues today.

The loose structure that often comes with independent study allows people to really learn what they want to learn. They can learn about dinosaurs, sharks, Muses, and so many millions of other things. The world is full of knowledge, and all we have to do is look for it.

About the Author: Danica Davidson is a professional writer and recent graduate of Laurel Springs. She enjoys spending her days writing, reading and learning, even though she's not 'technically' in school now.