At 8:49 on a Sunday evening, resentment is not a difficult emotion to conjure.
Living in mixed-major residence halls, debates over homework flow freely alongside the grumblings of whose homework load is the worst, as regularly scheduled as the bell chimes for chapel. There is, of course, the battle of wist: ‘Must be nice, just doing art all day.’ Next, the title of biggest project to complete. Also see: ‘Do you even have homework as a fill-in-the-blank major?’ on more than one occasion.
But what does this long line of complaints say about the value we place on majors other than our own? There is importance in the power of words — and in the nature of respect.
The question, however, becomes how do we live that out?
Katie Kelley, assistant professor of psychology, believes the first step in developing a better attitude toward other student’s studies comes in part from honestly addressing any misconceptions we may carry.
“Something that I make my students do, … (is) to take a misconception about psychology that maybe they had, or that they've heard other people have, and do a five minute TED talk to friends or family, explaining how it's actually wrong,” Kelley said.
Through this simple assignment, students have the opportunity not only to confront their false beliefs, but to see how psychology can positively impact their lives in a personal way. From tackling the belief that Christians cannot support psychology to looking at the science behind romantic pursuits, Kelley noted that her students become more open to her discipline when they can tangibly see its impact on the world around them.
The concept rings true beyond just the realm of psychology, however.
The key to tearing down the resentment we are prone to lies in developing an attitude of curiosity, not condemnation, and building a respect for others’ gifts and talents rather than giving into jealousy or surface-level beliefs.
Julie Borkin, assistant professor of communication, acknowledged that adopting this attitude can be difficult. After all, complaining about the twelve-page paper due at midnight is easier than garnering the strength to see someone’s struggle in a way distinct from one’s own challenges.
That’s not to say it’s any less important, though.
“I'm not sure that any discipline that (makes) it looks like people already know how to do that thing are taken seriously,” Borkin said. “But the visibility of the work doesn't mean that that's all there is …. Any person who's investing well is doing an awful lot of self reflection and preparation.”
It’s a point Erica Elliott, assistant professor of marketing, made as well. Emphasizing the importance of calling over the prestige of a certain degree, it’s not really the major or the homework that ought to matter to us as Christians.
Instead, we should simply try to engage our curiosity and serve as stewards, questioning our own perception and agendas, as both Borkin and Elliott related.
“It's just recognizing that it's a matter of what fills your heart,” Elliott said. “It is a matter of what you're called to, and how you're wired and how you work.”
Our callings, by nature, are uniquely our own. We are meant to be one body with many roles, many gifts and, more close to home, perhaps, many homework schedules. The struggles may not look the same, but the joys and challenges we each face deserve respect.
Afterall, honoring others is simply about keeping humanity in the humanities, allowing true love and curiosity to overcome the resentment one may feel — especially at 8:49 on a Sunday evening.
