An alternative to study and drink

A chara,

As semester examinations draw slowly to a close, it is timely to consider the traditional structures of this country's education system which mean that, in practice, the success or otherwise of a pupil will be gauged primarily on the basis of academic performance. Speaking recently in UCG, Senator Joe O'Toole stressed the need to diversify the focus of education so that opportunities are created to enable people to develop entrepreneurial, leadership, argumentative and decision making skills and also to acquire motivation techniques.

The totality of these observations provides the backcloth for the crux of my letter. Once the threshold of third level education has been crossed, formal learning structures are less rigid and there exists a plethora of extra curricular activities which correspond to all conceivable interests and predilections. These activities, co ordinated by clubs and societies, provide outlets for students' intellectual, creative and physical energies. They provide important opportunities for personal development in social contexts.

Unfortunately all of this potential is being stifled by increasingly prevalent student apathy. We have become too accustomed to the tune of the strict, narrowly defined education of our childhood and adolescent years. Our lives have now progressed to a new stage of maturity, yet by a self damning lack of imagination we continue to dance the same old tune.

Many of the pressures of university life are to "go out" in order to socialise. Our university years should not be conditioned by striving to fulfill these two seemingly polar needs as the ground between them could very satisfactorily be ploughed by participating in non academic and non inebriating pursuits. I would argue that it is high time students in general at least consider the adoption of a new approach to their own education.

We must drag ourselves out of the unimaginative educational rut in which we find ourselves and confront the torpor which is gnawing at the success of student extra curricular activities. It is high time that we beat a different drum and dance to a tune other than that imposed on us by the educators of our formative years. Carpe Diem!

Is mise,

33 Woodlands Park, Moycullen, Co Galway.