Each of us has an identity: it is who we feel we are. Our identity is an honest reflection of who we are. It is made up of lots of different facets that both connect us to others and distinguish us from others. Our identity impinges on everything that we do. The most important things to be said about identity are:
- Every identity is OK: we are all entitled to be respected and valued for who we are so long as we do no harm to others.
- An honest identity is best: so long as our identity is true to life, then we are in a good place. If it has elements that are not true to life, then we can be in a bad place.
- Identity is fluid: you are allowed to be uncertain about gender and sexuality issues, about religion and everything else.
There are aspects of our identity that can change. A really good summary of nearly every novel and movie goes like this: “Person’s identity changes after being vulnerable.” There are ways in which being involved in learning can make great changes in our identity:
- Willingness to try: Learning is all about going to new places, finding new concepts, having new thoughts, setting new goals. It is about aspiring to be something new knowing it may not work out for you. It is much better to be the person who tried than the person who didn’t.
- Willingness to share: Learning is about going to new places with others, talking to others, comparing thoughts, setting joint goals. We can always learn from each other. Actively sharing with others is a powerful way of learning. Sometimes that sharing supports them, sometimes it supports us; either way the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
You are unique.
You are different from everyone else: develop and use that because you didn’t come here to become a carbon copy of anyone else.
You came to be the best version of you. Answer these questions:
- What are your own personal expectations? These will influence what you attempt to achieve . Bring them to conscious mind, test them, stretch them.
- What type of learner are you? Do you work best in small bursts or lengthy sessions? Choose a style of study that works best for you and produces the least amount of stress for you.
- How do you personally balance (i) planning and thinking and then (ii) producing and presenting? Is your style to mix them up – make multiple drafts, refining as you go along – or are you more suited to making extensive notes and then a single write at the end of the process?