Saturday, March 29, 2008

Reading and Thinking

Last evening I was discussing examination pressure with a group of students and scholars from mainland China. A first year student brought up the popular book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. He explained how one of those habits - being proactive - may help. A research assistant picked up the thread and the two of them recalled the seven habits.

I was amazed. Not by the book. I was aware of it, and felt the ideas were kind of common sense. But I was impressed that these young people seemed genuinely interested in learning and applying these self-improvement methods.

Sadly, I have not met too many young people from Hong Kong who seem to have the same enthusiasm in reading and thinking.



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

One of my former students who is now studying law in a local university told me that she and her group of classmates liked to get together to discuss local and international affairs even before they entered universities. Rare, isn't it. She is now an active Year 2 student, vocal in her views and opinions about her surroundings and on U life.

StephenC said...

Yeah, there are surely thoughtful students. They give us hope and help to keep us going.

I also feel privileged to know a young lady who is reading Dostoevsky and Solzhenitsyn.

I just wish we can encourage more to do so.