To Future Sideways Seers…

This class is really unlike any class you’ve probably ever been a part of. In fact I don’t even know if I would call it a “class.” I mean, you have assignments, and you learn things, but it’s not a typical “go to class, open textbook, write notes, take test” sort of class. The class is all about what YOU make it about. And that’s the simplest way I can put it. Whatever you, the students, put into is what you get from it. Don’t expect Beth to teach (no offense Beth). But she’s there to learn to. Learn what? Again… it’s up to the students.

There are vague outlines to class that Beth may construct, but ultimately, it’s like an open forum. You’re there to discuss anything and everything that’s important and valuable to you and to help you grow into better versions of yourselves and to better understand yourselves. I know this sounds really vague and almost cliched, but this is exactly what the class is meant to do (in my opinion).

And this is what I got out of class. I learned to not worry about class and homework so much and that education is not solely based on reading and taking notes and being tested. You can be educated about yourself and others by just discussing with and listening to other people. And that’s what I did in class. I listened to what people had to say and kind of got a sense of what makes others run in comparison to myself.

I think a class like Seeing Sideways has better equipped me for future classes. Instead of stressing as much about getting perfect grades on tests and homework, I will learn to take things from class that are necessary and important to me. I’m important (as are YOU) and it’s good to get an education that will make a better version of myself and help define who I am not just study random knowledge that I can spit back out on a test. I want to learn and grow and carry these things with me, and that’s one of the many things I took from Seeing Sideways.

I hope my confusing words have helped… though I know they probably didn’t.

–Trent