Compassion in Communicative Learning by Shannon

Compassion in Communicative Learning by Shannon - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

The most unique characteristic, we as humans share, is our ability to communicate and understand each other,not only through our words, but also our actions. In the fall of 2017, the aspect of communication in leaning will be the part of my college experience that I will be most thankful for.
Throughout my first years of high school, when a teacher would mention “group work” I would shutter at the thought. I used to hate subjecting myself to the uncomfortable, struggled communication with classmates I barely knew. It wasn't until the end of my sophomore year of high school did I truly understand the purpose of collaboration and cooperation in the classroom.
The final assignment in my AP U.S. History class was to create an hour-long presentation of a critical decade in America’s history. As my group suffered the first day of individual work, I could feel we were in way over our heads. We met the next day and spoke about how impossible the project would be complete. However, as we each went around in a circle offering different ideas, did I realize how much stronger we were as a whole. With these ideas, we collaborated—making two ideas into one, or one idea into two. After only two hours of discussing, we had more information and proposals for our project than we had time for.
It was in these moments I leaned the true value of communicated learning. We often celebrate, in society, individualized successes. What I believe is most important is how we, as a community, thrive as a whole. In my college experience, I will value those who surround me. It will be my fellow colleagues who push me to become better, open my mind to new ideas, and offer depth into my own thoughts I would have otherwise not seen. When I go to a college or university, I will most value how I interact with others in ways to better my education.