Author Archives: drsageavery

In the United States, striving for independence and maintaining our freedoms remain some of our highest espoused ideals. These values deeply infuse our culture, impact our worldview and influencing our daily actions, in ways that may seem so natural as to be beneath our notice. Even if we do not always agree on what constitutesContinue reading “The Ball Is in Your Court”

At the risk of blowing up this blog, with one of the more important Things the Professor Cannot Actually Say, I will note, simultaneously gently and firmly, that higher education is presently a privilege. That’s a weighted word right now, loaded with potential landmines, in the midst of considerable societal discord. I employ it intentionally—toContinue reading “Embracing Educational Opportunity”

After focusing upon the joys of learning last time, here I recognize that higher education is not the end all, be all. We need enrichment beyond what an academic program can offer, especially because attending university requires a significant amount of work. So many students have related to me, some complaining, others speaking matter-of-factly, howContinue reading “Musings on Study-Life Balance”

        In my last post, I encouraged you to identify what motivates you to pursue higher education. Having acknowledged a broad spectrum of perfectly understandable reasons for attending college—from being swept along with the tide of good intentions, uncertain of your own desires, to having your eyes determinedly fixed on the prize at the end, inContinue reading “Remember When Learning Was Fun?”

Why are we here? is the kind of question with which human beings have wrestled for millennia. A living question, one that endures for each generation and every person, because longing for a sense of identity and purpose for one’s life is at the root of the human journey. And unless you happen to studyContinue reading “Why Are You Here?”

A meme during the time of COVID-19 highlighted signage at a Japanese theme park, which apparently invited roller coaster riders to help prevent the spread of the virus by remembering to “please scream inside your heart.” I myself have found that the most effective way for me to manage the simultaneous thrill and terror ofContinue reading “Beginnings…”