When I was researching the literal translation of parfait (and by research, of course, I mean just using google) I was expecting it to mean something like “layered dessert,” but it turns out it just means “perfect.” For all you kids out there that took French you’re probably thinking “duuuuhhh” but as a Spanish student, I thought this was kinda nifty.
This little bit of linguistic research had me reminiscing about my years of taking a Spanish in school, which of course plunged me into reminiscence of being a student. There are many things I miss about being in formal education, the exposure to new ideas, inspiring teachers, the social aspect of learning in a classroom. However, there are a plenty of things I don’t miss, the seemly endless and arbitrary assessments, a constant sense of competition over collaboration, and the emphasis on results over process.
I absolutely love learning. It’s one of the best feelings. When I learn I feel like my brain’s perpetual thirst is being quenched. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being immersed in a topic you’re truly curious about, especially when you can nerd out with people who are equally as curious and passionate.
However, much of my educational experience was not like that.
It felt way more like jumping through hoops than quenching a “brain thirst.” To be honest, looking back, I wish I wasn’t such a “good student.” And by that I mean I wish I wasn’t so obsessed with following rules and trying to get good grades. In retrospect, I think my drive to achieve actually got in the way of my actual learning. I was always afraid to make mistakes which meant I adhered to rubrics like religion, instead of embracing the material in new creative ways. Turns out “real world” doesn’t have rubrics, which was tough realization.
As a naturally curious and occasionally rebellious kid, I yearned to get into more heated debates. To push back. To reject certain things I felt were arbitrary and focus on what truly excited me. But I didn’t. Instead I followed rules like a champ because I thought that’s what it meant to be successful. Good grades equals good school, equals good college, equals good job, equals good life. UGH. So boring!
In high school, I wish I had had the guts to go all in on writing and arts and explore the independent study options, instead of trying so hard to be “well rounded.” Like why did I take bother taking physics (sorry Mr. Williams!)
In college, I wish I had focused on 2 or 3 clubs, work, and class instead of trying to be on the e-board of 5 clubs and take 18 credits and work 3 jobs. It was too much width and not enough depth.
However, I do have so much to be grateful for when it comes to listening to my gut. It was after my freshman year of college that I found the blog a Beautiful Mess and decided to transfer into the Integrated Marketing Communications program instead of being in the Television and Radio department. Something about Elsie and Emma’s lifestyle wrung so true to me. It was what I had wanted but never seen in action. I wanted to be my own boss and create something of my own.
But then, for the next three years of college, I tried to fight back against my urge to just start my own “thing,” and instead tried to get a steady job that would give me “good experience,” all the while knowing in my gut that I never wanted that.
But finally, after years of reluctantly and dutifully following the rules, I’ve changed my mind and I quit my “steady job” I had worked so hard for. So here I am. Writing a blog about a parfait and making coffee during the day, to make ends meet and relying the generosity of my family for 10 months while I try to make my “something” happen. And hopefully during this time I’ll stop trying to be “perfect” and just embrace that I don’t want to be normal, I just want to learn.
[Tweet “Come for the chia pudding parfait stay for the rant about our education system”]
- For Chia Pudding
- 1 Cup of Almond Milk
- 3 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds
- 1 Tablespoon of Maple Syrup (or sweetener of choice)
- For Parfait
- 1/2 Cup of Greek Yogurt
- 1/2 Cup of Chia Pudding
- 1/2 Cup of Fresh Blackberries
- 1 Tablespoon of Nut Butter
- 1/3 Cup of Granola
- To Make Chia Pudding: in a mason jar or tupperwear container mix together maple syrup and almond milk and add chia seeds. Mix until well combined and allow chia seeds to gel for at least 3 hours
- To Make Parfait: In a clear glass layer together yogurt, chia pudding, berries, granola until all ingredients are layered together. Top with a drizzle of your favorite nut butter
Your Turn:
- Those who are out of school: is there anything you might have done differently?
- Those who are in school: what’s one thing you love, one thing you could do without?
I also wish that I wasn’t so concerned with being “perfect,” then I would actually have the guts to go out and take classes that I would be interested in instead of focus solely on my major, which I do love. Kudos to you for going with your gut and doing what you truly love to do and being successful at it without caring what other’s think, your so inspirational Georgie! Oh, and that parfait looks heavenly 🙂
Good on you for taking charge of your professional goals. I’m still working on that, and figuring out what I want exactly.
I kind of wish at least in college I focused more on getting involved than working. I did play soccer in college but other than that I just worked and now I realize all life is, is work! But other than that I don’t regret a thing! And chia seed pudding is totally my favorite thing right now!
I was the perfect (aka parfait) student until my senior year of college. At that point I realized “why am I taking classes I don’t enjoy just because they ‘look good’?’ I was admittedly never challenged academically until high school (and it took a notoriously challenging high school to do that) and I wish I ignored the stereotypes of clubs and classes and took more fine arts programs. I realize now (of course) I enjoy that and it’s helping me feel comfortable to follow a different path, rather than what society says we should.
I love this post. Being a future teacher, I always appreciate seeing other’s perspectives on the educational system. I completely know how you feel about the pressure for results rather than progress and one of my goals as a teacher is to focus on the progress and not always the end result. I love seeing learning happening throughout a time period rather than just being proved to me at the end of a period.
I wish that I had followed my dreams a bit more and pursued my Ph.D. I wish I had been a bit more independent when I was in my early 20s. I love seeing your posts!
1. This looks super yummy. I haven’t made chia pudding in a long time, so it’s time to get back on that train with this gorgeous recipe. 2. You and I were/are the same person. I have always been obsessed with success and following the rules and I think I spent too much time focusing on doing well in school and like you said, I think that constant worry affected me (negatively).
im in the process of being my own boss although i have no idea what im going to do..or where to even begin with. i did all the formal education and training etc etc and right now trying to finish grad school, which has been sucking the life out of me. im constantly inspired by people like you and so many HLB bloggers. sending you big hugs for always writing your post that i can relate to because i feel like im not alone here 🙂
I think this is the exact reason I so appreciated Oxford. You study one subject in depth, and apply to study it, and you learn so much in doing that. I was truly a historian, not just a history major. I will say there is merit to both sides – instead of being well rounded, I found myself with very jagged edges, and then I realized the rounding comes from being among the other students and having wide ranging discussions about everything under the sun, from ancient Greek with classics friends to talk of plays, film, literature and more. Even in high school I knew I wasn’t meant for science classes and I started focusing more on a few things early on. Yet now, I love having varied interests like running, blogging, volunteering, art and music…because it makes for a good life. Still no science though even though I respect those who make advances in it for us!
Life is a strange journey for sure- it seems real learning is often about the right timing. We are only ready for real learning when we are ready. For teachers, it’s about creating that safe place and opening the doors to exploration. In this society, playing by the rules can offer opportunities where one has more choices
Like that chia pudding; now, or later??
Ugh COMPLETELY agree with all you wrote here. I stressed myself out way too much in high school, and now in college, I’m taking an entirely different approach to my education. My grades are worse, but honestly, I’m learning so much more, and at the end of the day, I feel better for it! Plus, I’m letting my writing take the central focus because that is where my true passion lies. Love your words, Georgie!
I really enjoyed reading this although maybe my feelings on my own education are slightly opposite. I grew up in England and feel I was shoved through education that narrowed very quickly with little discussion of career or options. I now have a masters in a field I do not work in and would need to reenter education to really change career. A large part of this is due to my own lack of confidence and lack of certainty in what I want. But generally I feel that education is does not teach us about how the subjects we study link to the real world, or how we might use them in future careers. Also, we have to make choices that affect the rest of our lives very quickly and at such a young age. I think if I had not gone straight to university from school, I’d have made very different choices. That said, I’ve still reached a happy place – and I couldn’t change any of my choices if I went back in time as I wouldn’t end up where I am now.
Chia pudding parfait looks so good – I’ve never tried chia seeds but I have a jar at home waiting to be experimented with!
We were vibing on recipes today!! I did Chia Pudding this week too! :p I hear you on the school thing! I wish I would have loosened up and had more fun instead of focusing so hard on grades and being well rounded! Oh how tunnel visioned we can be as young adults focused on the future!
Ahh I love reading about this stuff because I can relate so much. One thing I wish I would have done was traveled abroad in college. I was I love with the “college life” and didn’t want to be away from my friends and miss out. Right now all I want to do is travel and college is literally the perfect time to do so.
These pictures are absolutely gorgeous and so are your words! I had the most amazing college experience and never ever wanted to leave, but I honestly didn’t really find my ambition until senior year. I spent my first three years being mad at school getting in the way of my college, but I finally got my ish together and it felt good to apply myself and succeed. I’m not the traditional leaner though so I really agree that some of the structure gets in the way for a lot of people. Luckily my major was incredibly hands on and unconventional or I would have been toast!
There is something about that nut butter drizzle that looks SO FREAKING GOOD!
I’m so glad you talked about all this today. I’ve kind of hit a point in my college career where I realize…I really don’t like it that much, and can’t wait to get out. This is strange coming from the straight-A, valediction girl her whole life. I feel stifled in my classes, I’m not into the college scene, and I’d much rather be working or blogging (I am a work-a-holic, after all). I guess everyone just has to suck it up and get through it!
I’m glad you discussed this. I feel like I spend too much time worrying about grades instead of pursuing the topics I’m interested in. I’m really happy that last semester I took a lighter course load and got my food blog up and running. It’s nice to take time off from class work to write about food and connect with other amazing bloggers. The chia pudding parfait looks wonderful, or should I say it looks parfait?
I feel you on all of this! 1) I love chia pudding and this looks delicious 2) I actually never wanted to go to college, I wanted to go to hair school and be a really creative hair stylist. I was pretty much forced to go to school, got a degree in French Language & Literature (so this post made me laugh about the definition of parfait), then graduated and got a job at an organic grocery store and met my (now) husband. I guess what I’m trying to say is life is weird, but the choices and paths we take seem to direct us to the end result that we want. The time that you spent doing all of those things has led you to writing an awesome blog, growing a big and supportive community and hopefully on the path to what you love and want to do.
Obsessed with that nut butter drizzle, I often make chia parfaits so this recipe is one I will be trying. Xx