Professor Kelly Moreau First Year Experience 24 November 2021 A Love of Learning As I entered college, I knew it would be rigorous, and I expected to learn much. I definitely was not wrong to make this presumption. My teachers are magnificent, and they transfer bouts of math, science, philosophy, theology, music, and English to my mind with ease. However, I learn just as much in class as I do outside of it. And no, I am not referring to the mounds of homework and reading I must do outside of class time; rather, I am acknowledging how much I learn from my peers. It is not their job to teach, and they do not try to teach; it just occurs naturally. In my time at Notre Dame, I have gained knowledge through encountering the different views and life-experiences of my peers. This new knowledge expands my world-view, strengthens my faith, and prompts me to teach others through the sharing of my experiences and views. I have always considered myself to have a strong faith, but the more I learn about my faith, the more I realize how little I truly know. A wise teacher once told my class that we become a composite of the five people we spend the most time around. In light of this, at Notre Dame, I strove to surround myself with intelligent, kind, strong Catholic men and women. Though, I was afraid to do this. I anticipated a need to hide my true self around these people. I felt as if I would need to present a façade. Surely, I can’t let them know that I am an insecure sinner. Boy, was I wrong. I was surprised to encounter brokenness within these individuals. They have all encountered struggles of their own, but there is something unique about the way they overcome these challenges. They allow themselves to be vulnerable and fall upon others in their moments of weakness. As Parker J. Palmer said in “Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community”, “Suffering lets our “hearts break open” enough to hold both a vision of hope and the reality of resistance without tightening like a fist” (“Thirteen Ways of Looking at Community” by Parker J. Palmer-Moreau FYE Week Eleven). These individuals whom I look up to so much understand this claim; they do not close themselves off when they are suffering, rather, they are vulnerable. I am trying to be more like this. Realizing that I do not have to bear my crosses alone nor be ashamed of them has helped me thrive this semester. I am more open with my friends, and, in turn, my relationships are closer and stronger, and I am more at peace. Since I have allowed myself to share my fears, dreams, and struggles with my friends, many Saturday nights have ended with deep chats in the Holy Cross parking lot. My closest friends have similar struggles to me. We share in classic perfectionism, and we all hate to disappoint people. In “Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit”, Julia Hogan claims, “… when you let your self-worth depend on the approval of others, disappointing them feels like the most devastating thing in the world” (“Why Letting Go of Expectations is a Freeing Habit” by Julia Hogan- Moreau FYE Week Nine). These words undoubtably apply to all of us, and it has prompted much reflection within myself. Do I let my self-worth depend on the approval of others? If I am honest with myself, I do. People always say that admitting a fault is the first step to eradicating it. Admitting this deficiency is the first step to overcoming it. To further defeat this disordered thinking, I will remind myself that I will never be able to control what others think of me, and I am the only person who has to live with me forever. However, my mission to stop striving for others’ approval will not diminish my desire to keep the peace. As the eldest of 12 children, I am often the peacemaker, and I find myself being https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rx8RXawrxB9cOTnhTZFsvfypBoYnPocOE0XzBNJr0J4/edit https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/health-and-wellness/letting-go-of-expectations/?utm_source=fall_2021&utm_medium=class&utm_id=moreau a peacemaker in college too. At Notre Dame, I have encountered some very harsh opinions. There are certain topics that divide people like none other, and I have heard students claim that they won’t be friends with a person of a different political party, abortion stance, or vaccination status. In Father John Jenkins speech to the 2012 graduating class of Wesley Theological Seminary, he claims, “We in this country are in the midst of a social crisis, a harsh and deepening split between groups that are all too ready to see evil in each other” (“Wesley Theological Seminary Commencement” by Father John Jenkins- Moreau FYE Week Ten). Father Jenkins was spot-on with this assessment. Too often people judge and dismiss each other because of opinions they hold. They fail to realize the reason each person holds these beliefs is the same; almost everyone in America just wants what is best for the most number of people— we just all have different ways of accomplishing this common goal. I try my best to remind others of this when they are disagreeing. As Chris Abayasinghe said in “With Voices True Snapshot, “I use every moment that I can with the kids as a teaching opportunity” (“With Voices True Snapshot” Chris Abayasinghe Moreau FYE Week Eleven). When I am with individuals who are unforgiving or struggling to see other perspectives, I attempt to teach them without being condescending—which is difficult! However, I know it is necessary. Today’s political environment is too harsh, and teaching is necessary. Speaking of teaching, this semester has revealed my innate desire to be an educator— specifically a Catholic educator. Being at Notre Dame has made me extremely appreciative of the Catholic formation that I was so blessed to receive as well as the wonderful education I am receiving here. I wish that everyone had the same privileges that I have since I have encountered many people who do not. Though, I know I can help more people be formed and educated by becoming an educator myself. According to “Holy Cross and Christian Education”, “The work https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://president.nd.edu/homilies-writings-addresses/wesley-theological-seminary-commencement/ https://voicestrue.nd.edu/ https://voicestrue.nd.edu/ of education is essential to the life of the Church and its apostolic mission of going out to all the nations proclaiming the gospel as Jesus instructed his disciples to do in his final commission” (“Holy Cross and Christian Education” Moreau FYE Week Twelve). This quotation reminds me of why education is essential, and it motivates me to be the best educator that I can be. If I could sum-up my Notre Dame experience in three words, they would be “learning from everyone”. Through my encounters with my peers, I gain perspective in ways that the classroom does not provide. A line in Holy Cross’ Constitutions reads, “And, as in every work of our mission, we find that we ourselves stand to learn much from those whom we are called to teach.” (2.16) (“Holy Cross and Christian Education” Moreau FYE Week Twelve) In observing how much I can learn from my peers, I realize how accurate this statement is, and I hope to let it ring true through the rest of my life. https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28124/files/192714?module_item_id=109541 https://canvas.nd.edu/courses/28124/files/192714?module_item_id=109541