The Most Important Thing You'll Learn

[originally published on History Survey on 5/29/2007]

The most important thing you will learn at university is how to learn. That is a skill you will need, no matter where you go or what you do. The corollary of this proposition is that you must spend a lot of time teaching yourself. Professors can show you possible paths to take by presenting information, engaging you in conversation, and offering feedback on your work, but you must choose your own path and then you must walk most of the way by yourself.