Combining The Arts and Sciences

Although we are naturally born to be three-dimensional thinkers, we still somehow like to separate everything and place things into their own categories, especially the arts and sciences.

Most people see science as being more analytical while art is more creative and therefore, totally separate entities. However, it turns out that science needs art just as much as art needs science. They are actually interdependent on each other.

For instance, the fiction stories found in novels like Harry Potter often have some element of imagination (in this case, witchcraft and magic) which many readers will consider as art. However, creating fiction stories require an increasing amount of research on the author's part. In addition to this, imagination also requires knowledge in order for it to work. Imagination cannot work solely on its' own and neither can science.

In the case of science, art is often used to enhance the text that author's and publisher's present in science textbooks. If they were to only include text about the subject without any detailed illustrations and graphs of the concepts they present, most people would never understand concepts like DNA transcription and physics projectiles. No one would probably even bother to pick up a science textbook if this were the case. This also doesn't suit people who have different learning styles-- those who are more visual learners.

The difficulty with this kind of integration of the arts and sciences is that our society and the culture in our society often places higher value on the sciences which is now referred to as "STEM" or science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Many schools across the United States as well as in other countries around the world are currently trying to implement more of these "STEM" programs in high schools, universities and are even promoting it to students as young as elementary school age. There's nothing wrong with trying to implementing and encouraging students to study the  "STEM" curriculum. However, schools shouldn't only be focusing on just teaching students about science. Rather, schools need to develop and then, implement a curriculum that includes a plate of diversity-- one that includes both science and art.

It shouldn't stop there. Many schools and universities will claim that: "Yes, we already have the curriculum that teaches both subjects,"  but an even larger problem is that schools, parents and our society does not teach our world's youth about the interrelatedness and interconnectedness of art and science. They only teach them how to separate the two, categorize them and treat them as two completely different fields of study.

The College Experience at The University of Hawai'i at Manoa

 

PHYS 151 Lecture class at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Of course, college is not always fun at times-- the homework, the one-hour and 20 minute lectures; and the 3 hour science labs. However, there are many ways you can have fun while also learning something valuable.

Here is a list of things you can do to enrich your college experience:

1. Be Bold, Take a Risk and Give Non-major Related Courses a Chance
Don't just take courses that you need for your major. Try to diversify your schedule and explore new classes and academic departments that are of interest to you and/or courses that you have never heard of, but are curious about. Don't be afraid to step out of your field of study. If you have an interest in literature, art, science, and/or history, etc., don't hesitate and take the initiative to enroll yourself in these classes while you're still in college. It will also help broaden your mind and help you to see things from different perspectives, so that you can apply the knowledge you learn in these classes to the classes related to your field of study as well as to the field of study called "life".

The UH Manoa campus, in particular, has a number of amazing life-changing classes to enroll in. UH Manoa is also known for its' challenging curriculum in the arts, literatures and languages.

Recently, the university has been recognized as a teaching university specifically in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature and has been granted permission to teach a professional Chinese curriculum under a national flagship program. This program aims to increase students' language proficiency level in Mandarin Chinese, so that each student can use their language knowledge in any sector of work that they choose to do. Students will also get free Chinese tutoring and this program will require students to take their major-related courses with instruction in Chinese. For example, if you are a Biology major, you have to take some Biology courses that are taught in Chinese to stay in the flagship program.

Here are some of the most interesting courses I've taken throughout my earlier years in college:
1. Biomimicry (Zoology)
2. Structure of Chinese (Chinese Linguistics)
3. Chinese Semantics and Communication (Chinese Linguistics)
4. Stories of Personal Peace (Peace and Conflict Education)
5. Introduction to Women's Studies (Women's Studies)
6. Introduction to Sociology (Sociology)
7. Dystopian Fiction (English)
8. Asian American Literature (English)

2. Get Involved and Be an Active Participant on Campus

Here are some of the coolest ways to get involved around campus:
1. Get involved in student government
2. Write for the college newspaper (they always need students to write a good story! This is not limited to writing, you can be a photographer, a comic artist, etc. So many different things to do!!)
3. Start your own club/organization (video game, dance, journalism, major-related clubs, etc.)
4. Join an athletic team (swimming, golf, cross country, soccer, etc.)
5. Volunteer (be a tutor on campus for difficult subjects, library volunteer, etc.)
6. Get an on-campus job (If you love to eat, why not work at your favorite eatery on campus?)
7. Study Abroad (travel around the world with a group of travel savvy students)
8. Participate in Internships
9. Do undergraduate research
10. Keep an eye out for giveaways, prizes and events around campus (talent shows, raffle drawings, social events, dances, movie night screenings)
11. Be a peer mentor or a peer-counselor (help students transition from high school to college life, give academic advice to fellow students and direct them to the right resources to achieve college success, etc.)
12. Be a campus tour guide for prospective students (help students navigate the campus, share your own experiences and what you've learned in college so far, give insight into what student life is really like. What are the best eateries on campus?)

3. Be Your Best Self and Have Confidence in What You Know. Then, Inspire Others To Do The Same.
Most Importantly, be your best self every single day and inspire others around you to do the same. Be an advocate for change in your college community.

College: The 4-year Pathway

 

Year 1 (Freshman)

This is one of the most exciting, but also one of the most anxiety-provoking years of your college experience because you are still transitioning from high school to college life. You may know recognize a few of your high school classmates and friends, but you may not know the majority of the students attending your university. You also have no clue as to where all your classes are. Your classes, your teachers and your environment are all new and this can often be intimidating. 

Solution: familiarize yourself with your university and network with other students and teachers who will help you to feel more comfortable and show you around the campus. Sooner or later, you will know how your university's system works as well as all of the cool hot spots around campus to buy lunch. Just don't rush yourself in trying to join on-campus clubs yet. That can be saved for your second year. It is important to focus on your schoolwork and be informed about what your university has to offer. 

Year 2 (Sophomore)

Okay, so you are already familiar with your university's system inside and out. Your second year is about keeping up-to-date with all your academic progress and making sure that you have completed your prerequisites for your major. This year is pretty much a continuation of your first year. However, you have to make sure that you have officially documented your major at your university and that you have decided  to continue studying your chosen major. Go to your academic adviser if you need assistance in creating your four-year plan or need to track your academic progress for both major and general education requirements.

In addition to keeping track of your academic progress, your sophomore year is a great time to join some on-campus clubs that you may find interesting. There are a variety of different clubs to choose, so don't limit yourself and be open-minded. The University of Hawai'i, in particular, has over 1,000 different clubs including an array of major-related clubs, service clubs, religious-affiliated clubs and athletic clubs.

  

Year 3 (Junior)

Your Junior year is when you can finally take all of those non-introductory and upper-level courses that you've been dying to take ever since you were a freshman. Take a bunch of different classes and again, stay open-minded; and expect the unexpected. Junior year is stressful and involves a lot more studying, but it can also be fun if you make it fun. If you are taking a bunch of science classes or difficult classes, also incorporate a few easy classes to create balance in your academic schedule. This will also help to take off some of the stress load, so that you can still have some leisure time to spend time with friends and family; and to spare you some time to do your hobby.