Learning Outside of the Classroom Makes Us Smarter

Students at Drexel are learning inside of the classroom, but it there any learning going on outside of the classroom? And is it making us smarter? The answer to both of these questions is yes. If you think about it, students are learning a multitude of skills every day and are learning them the best way; on their own.
Students, whether they are commuters or they live on campus, are learning to manage their time wisely. This skill is something that is used now and will be used in the years to come; there might be that job interview that they cannot be late to or maybe they plan on having a big family someday. It is making students smarter because it involves planning, which can be a very complex task. Planning is like a big puzzle; you have to figure out what pieces fit where. For example, maybe in one week a college student has three projects due on three different days, work on two days, and two exams to study for. The student must then map out an efficient plan, looking at the different days and times and putting them in an order that will work in their favor. We all know that puzzles are rarely ever easy to figure out and are frustrating. It really gets the brain thinking in a problem solving way.
Another skill students at Drexel are learning is to manage their money. They decide what is absolutely necessary to buy and what they can live without. This gets the brain thinking about the difference between a necessity and a luxury. It is sometimes hard to resist getting what we want versus what we need, because what we need does not usually satisfy us as much. This leads to getting the student to prioritize. It can be hard to distinguish at times, but it gets the brain thinking about how the decision will affect the student in the future.
Drexel students are getting smarter each day and its not just the classes to thank. They are learning outside of the classroom, and are doing it without the help of mom and dad. They are challenging their brains and are obtaining skills that will shape them into well-rounded adults. These students will be successful.