We live in the twenty-first century. We live in an age where information is easily accessible, with technology, the glorious internet, libraries and a good education system.

I am not saying that everything on the internet is true, but knowledge is very much within our reach and is handed to us day by day upon a silver platter. So why are we not eager to learn?

Compared to many other countries in the world, the United States has the most opportunity in education but yet many students find the concept of learning more burdensome than precious. Unknowingly, we take advantage of our abundant resources.

Of course, I am a student as well and I understand the stress and sleep deprivation that comes along with high school. Those factors lead us to look forward to weekends and summer when our brains don’t have to be cranked up to their full capacity. We tend forget that learning is why our brain exists in the first place.

I have been to parts of the world where children have to share a wooden pencil and fight over small, torn books. They relish the chance to take in any information they are given because for them, education is the only path to a happy life. As I look around at the information piled up around us, I can’t help feeling like all of this is being wasted.

We should take in the knowledge that is readily available to us instead of pushing it away. In America, we have both the resources and the opportunities to chase after our dreams and become who we want to be.

I am not implying that we should study our textbooks from cover to cover, nor I am saying we should do our homework five days before the teacher has even passed it out. I just hope that we – as capable, intelligent, ambitious and hardworking students – can be more eager to learn.

If we are faced with a question we don’t understand, we should look for a solution instead of just turning away. We should embrace the chance to experience new things and meet new people.

Our school may be small, but if we can be willing to step forward and utilize what is given to us, we can do anything.

16szhang@usd489.com