The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 30, 2006 - 17 It's not what you learn in school, but how you learn By Morenike Omage GRADE 12, T. A. BLAKELOCK D oes the study of fatal turmoil between adolescent lovers from feuding Italian families really benefit my future? What merit does the correct construction and graphing of a parabola possibly hold in the real world? And lastly, why is cafeteria food so ridiculously overpriced? These were all questions that I pondered to myself during my second year of High School at T.A Blakelock. As a result of my frustration with the questionable interworkings of the public school system I devised the following answer. School was a cruel joke devised by adults to keep their children out of trouble for seven hours of the day, and out of their way for another two to three hours (depending upon the course homework). Luckily for my parents I managed to stay out of their way for nearly four hours or more during the evening particularly due to my incapability to comprehend anything math oriented and my failure to understand 1600 Century English. Seeking out a helping hand over my academic hurdles only heightened them due to my own angst when I heard the same response repeatedly; "I haven't done any of this since high school." I thought school was supposed to set people for life, yet the majority of its curriculum is soon forgotten by adults and passed onto those who are too young to resist its forceful grasp. The importance of an education is constantly associated with the importance of being a successful adult yet what we are taught seems to hold no importance at all. I held onto this very idea for nearly two years and it almost destroyed my future. However, and luckily for me, I had a much needed epiphany; it isn't always what you learn in school, but the skills developed to learn. Discipline, patience, and consistency are all essential in achieving sufficient understanding in any challenging subjects. Those are just some of the things that do set you for life that are learnt from school. I carry this newfound attitude with me to this day during my fifth and last year at T.A. Blakelock, as well as a newfound love of learning and plans to pursue university next fall. The challenges that mathematics presented to me have now only motivated me to overcome them and continue to gain the discipline derived from overcom- ing them. It is now my favorite subject. Although I am almost certain that years from now Shakespeare's plays and sonnets will sit in the back of my mind and wither away with time, perhaps not. Shakespeare said that "All the world is a stage," maybe I will find myself in a situation in which I will recall the trials and tribulations of a Shakespearean drama or comedy! Of one thing I am sure, the only math I will ever do will only require a calculator and absolutely no graph sketching. I will always be in possession of the self perpetuating skills in order to succeed in life and most importantly I will never have to eat over-priced food from the cafeteria ever again. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) LOCAL PROFESSIONALS WORK TO MEET CHANGING SENIOR NEEDS GLEN OAKS Memorial Chapel & Reception Centre CEMETERY · CREMATORIUM · MAUSOLEUM Raymond & Simon Jackson, with Berkshire Securities Inc. completed a comprehensive course on priority senior issues on August 19, 2006. The course is conducted by the Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors, the Canadian licensee of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors, s an International organization that has trained over 19,000 professionals in North America. Successful participants complete a thorough examination to earn the Certified Senior Advisor, CSA(tm) designation. Raymond and Simon Jackson have taken this educational initiative to become professional leaders in meeting the key needs and issues concerning senior citizens. Professionals in the fields of medicine, insurance, investments and recreation require a broad spectrum of information to serve the needs of seniors. Whether financial, medical or social, senior concerns are different from other age groups. The Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors keeps the professional abreast of all these issues by providing education, monthly updates, support and marketing assistance regarding new developments, practices, and research about senior citizens in Canada today. In the history of the world, two-thirds of all people who have lived past the age of 65 are alive today. In Canada, seniors (age 65 and older) number almost four million and will continue to rapidly increase, leading a shift in population distribution by age never before seen. This demographic shift requires an educated response in how professionals work with the challenges and opportunities seniors face. As Certified Senior Advisor's (CSA), Raymond and Simon Jackson will participate annually in continuing education provided by the Academy. The CSA membership will ensure that they remain informed professionals for the 50 plus and senior citizens. Everything you need at ONE location. Whether planning ahead or at your time of need, simplify life by arranging all details for the funeral, reception, cemetery and cremation at Glen Oaks' convenient full-service facility. For a Free Tour & Consultation, call 905 257-1100 today. For Further Details Contact Raymond & Simon Jackson - Berkshire Securities Inc. y 710 Dorval Dr. Suite 505, Oakville, ON L6K 3V7 Phone: 905 849-4700 email: rjackson@berkshire.ca & sjackson@berkshire.ca j Canadian Academy of Senior Advisors Inc. 907-6540 Hastings St. Burnaby, BC V5B 4Z5 Email: info@CertifiedSeniorAdvisors.ca www.CertifiedSeniorAdvisors.ca 877-272-9066 Fax: 604-648-9647 GLEN OAKS www.glenoaks.ca Ninth Line, just north of Dundas St. Call for your Pre-planning Kit - FREE! Making Your Cooking Fun & Easy ing Fu · Knives and Garnishing tools · Spiceracks · Small Appliances · Cookware and Tableware · Linens, Aprons and Mitts · Bakeware · Barware · Espresso makers and accessories Summer Hours: Monday-Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday CLOSED River Glen Mews Plaza 2530 6th Line, Oakville (905) 257-3500