What made this panel so insightful was that we heard from both faculty and students, so we had two valuable perspectives to draw from. It was almost surprising to hear that there were many similarities between the testimonies of faculty and students, showing me that not only can students learn from self-reflection, but professors learn what students need by observing them and listening to them.
On the Faculty Panel...
On the faculty panel, we heard from Dr. Lorna Bracewell, Dr. Michael Butler, Dr. Kim Bynum and Dr. David Rivera, who are all professors at Flagler College.
Dr. Bynum had a more personal take on the topic, since her own daughter was a college student, so she wished to impart to the students the same advice she would offer to her own child. She believed the way to truly “maximize your experience” was to “step out of your comfort zone.”
Dr. Bynum also encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and explore new opportunities during their college years. Her perspective highlighted the value of trying new things and embracing experiences that may initially feel unfamiliar.
When it comes to flourishing in the classroom, Dr. Butler had experience to share.
He said that the word ‘success’ means something different to every single person, and it’s the people who recognize this who feel best in themselves. As for what he looks for as a professor, he says he loves to see “intellectual curiosity” in students.
To me, this was so reassuring to hear. Dr Butler described how to him, intellectual curiosity is simply being open about what you want to accomplish and what your struggles are. This shifts the focus of success away from simply being a straight-A student, and re-centers on what is important, which is the ability to know what you personally want to achieve in the classroom, independent of expectations from others.
This served as an important reminder that students and professors rely on each other’s energy to create a conducive, successful learning environment. This demonstrates how each member of the classroom can be crucial to everyone else’s success.
Dr. Rivera also added “He doesn’t know where the idea came from that if you don’t have an A, or do perfect in everything, that you’re failing.” He says it’s something he’s noticed as of late in students, and he is saddened to see how his students are plagued with such an unnecessary fear of failure.
On the Student Panel…
On the student panel, we heard from our own students Taylor Lieberman, Chris McFarlane, Carlo Font, Rebecca Tier and Jo Belliveau.
Chris echoed Dr. Bynum’s earlier sentiment about trying new things, saying he enjoyed feeling as though he is a “well-rounded individual”. The more opportunities you take, the more likely you are to feel like a well-rounded student, and therefore better equipped for the future. This was a sentiment shared by both faculty and students.
From the other side of the panel, Jo professed that she feels most content in her journey toward success when the professor is “truly passionate about what they’re teaching.” This helps her feel motivated and driven to learn, as she feeds off the enthusiasm provided by the professor..
Chris was asked how he knows he’s made the most out of learning, and his response led to a thoughtful discussion about what ‘failure’ really means.
McFarlane said, “you have to accept that periods of growth are not going to be easy”, and this is something I have reflected on quite a few times since.
It reminded me of my studies of Aristotle, who argued that to become truly virtuous, you must practice these virtues through trial and error. It is much the same with learning; to truly reach your full potential, you must train yourself to not be overcome by failure and instead recognize it as a period of change.
My Takeaways
By the end of the evening, I felt inspired by the perspectives shared by both faculty and students. I was grateful for the opportunity to learn from students navigating experiences similar to my own, as well as professors whom I respect and hope to emulate in my future career. I left with valuable advice that I hope to carry with me and apply both inside and outside the classroom.
The discussion also prompted me to reflect on my own relationship with failure and success. Perhaps viewing them not as opposites, but as complementary parts of the learning process, will help me embrace challenges, grow from setbacks, and become the well-rounded individual I aspire to be.
Ultimately, there is something to learn from everyone, regardless of whether they stand on the student or faculty side of the classroom. I feel fortunate to be part of a close-knit community like Flagler, where guidance, encouragement, and a shared commitment to learning can be found at every turn.
