7 Philosophical Principles to THRIVE in your First Year at BCIT
Written by Mahsa Alibeigi
Starting anew is always challenging, especially when you’re beginning a path in higher education that’s aimed at preparing you for a career. To help you build confidence, we scrutinized the teachings from some of the greatest thinkers of all time—and identified seven pieces of advice they would offer incoming students like you, framed in their voices.
“Be a wise student by knowing there are things you do not know.”
– Socrates
Greetings, new students, I am Socrates, the well-known father of philosophy. As you may know, drinking hemlock is what killed me. That was my penalty for teaching critical thinking to Athenian youth. You should also know that Plato (a student of mine who documented many aspects of my life) presented my demise as more pleasant than it was. My death was, in reality, gruesome. With symptoms whose details I will spare you from knowing. Anyhow, do not die, for it will be unfortunate. This is not my advice for your first year, however.
Despite Plato’s inaccuracies regarding my death, I must admit he did an excellent job documenting Apology, the speech I gave during the trial leading to my end. Through it, he demonstrates that I was the wisest man in the city. You may wonder why that is, and my answer is simple: I am wise because I recognize that I do not know anything.
This is my advice for you: true wisdom comes from acknowledging one’s ignorance and being receptive to learning and growth. I therefore encourage you to prepare for the reality that there will always be things you do not know. To fill your knowledge gaps, attend study groups and tutoring sessions, reach out to your instructors, review content you do not understand, ask questions, and consult with school advisors where necessary. Do not fear the unknown, as it is only through accepting this that one can become wise.
“Have conversation to deepen your knowledge.”
– Plato
Socrates has briefly introduced me and my work. I would like to add one important detail: my writings primarily present as dialogues. Through these, I convey philosophical ideas and pose significant questions about human existence.
Many theories exist on why I chose this form, but I can tell you that it’s because I believed the only way to truly understand something is through discussion and debate, with dynamic interactions (like conversations) to optimize learning.
Therefore, I anticipate that you can learn more effectively by deliberately asking questions and engaging in conversations with your instructors and classmates. By doing so, you can deepen your understanding and enhance your learning experience.
“To be the best, maintain harmony.”
– Aristotle
Socrates and Plato failed to mention that I, Aristotle, am also part of the ancient philosophy club. Although I was a student of Plato’s, I disagreed with him in some areas. Additionally, I was the first philosopher to write an ethical treatise.
I hold the conviction that the ultimate purpose of life lies in attaining happiness, although my understanding of happiness differs from other thinkers’. My perspective is that happiness is a virtuous activity and that “virtue is the golden mean between two vices, the one of excess and the other of deficiency.”
So, my advice for you is to maintain a balance between extremes: don’t study so much that you neglect everyday life, or indulge in distractions to the point where you neglect your studies. Striving for balance in all aspects of your life will enable you to live happily (and ethically).
“Be skeptical; don’t say yes right away.”
– Descartes
Let’s move on from ancient philosophy and delve into modern philosophy, which I founded. My book Meditations on First Philosophy illustrates my profound interest in questioning my own thoughts, as part of a system rooted in skepticism. I believe in the possibility of an evil demon deceiving me into thinking the way I do.
Thus, be skeptical, especially when you’re about to say yes to everything. That same devil may deceive you into thinking you can do it all, but that’s not the case. Your time and energy are finite, so allocating most of them toward your studies and other priorities is crucial.
“Manage you priorities and time effectively.”
– Kant
Rather than diving into the complexities of my philosophy, I want to offer you advice based on personal experience: I was so well-known for being punctual that I was nicknamed “the Königsberg clock” (Königsberg was where I lived and died). In addition, through maintaining a strict routine, I successfully wrote influential works such as Critique of Pure Reason, which has shaped modern Western philosophy
On that note, follow my advice to accomplish your goals: prioritize your tasks and commit to managing your time effectively.
“Go out and join Dionysus from time to time.”
– Nietzche
I, Friedrich Nietzsche, had many issues with other philosophers and critiqued many of them. You can see why I did that in my book Twilight of the Idols. So, unlike the other philosophers above, I won’t offer specific advice on what you should do.
nstead, I encourage you to follow this general advice: celebrate life and embrace the Dionysian spirit expressed through energy in its wilder forms. This can mean exploring your passions and creative projects. I suggest this because I fear that you have become too accustomed to the Apollonian way of life, which emphasizes rationality, order, and discipline. So, take a break and enjoy life to its fullest from time to time, as this can boost your energy and help you become a better version of yourself.
“Grades are absurd; create your meaning.”
– Sartre
As an existentialist, I place great importance on the concept of absurdity. I believe that we, as finite beings, exist in an infinite universe that lacks inherent meaning or purpose. However, this also means that everyone has the power to create their own meaning.
I believe you can do the same in your educational path. While your teachers and parents may emphasize how important grades are for your future, I would argue that marks are not the only criteria for success. Instead, focus on achieving true academic success by developing critical thinking skills, gaining professional experience, networking, and engaging in other activities that promote personal growth and self-discovery through exposure to diverse people and perspectives.
Powering through your first year of studying here can require significant energy. To make your transition into this new chapter of your life (and years to come) more manageable, consider applying the wisdom of these seven great thinkers.
Bibliography
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Hendricks, Scotty. “What Nietzsche Really Meant: The Apollonian and Dionysian.” Big Think, February 15, 2022. https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/what-nietzsche-really-meant-the-apollonian-and-dionysian/.
Honderich, Ted. The philosophers: Introducing great western thinkers. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.
Kim, Hannah H. “Camus and Sartre on the Absurd.” Philosophers’ Imprint 21, no. 32 (December 2021).
Kraut, Richard. “Aristotle’s Ethics.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, July 2, 2022. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/.
Kraut, Richard. “Plato.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, February 12, 2022. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato/.
Perez, Anthony. “Why Aristotle Was Right: The Power of Balance.” Medium, March 6, 2017. https://medium.com/@perezanthony/why-aristotle-was-right-the-power-of-balance-b743f82edc9f.
plato. “Plato’s ‘Apology’ and the Wisdom of Socrates.” Classical Wisdom, September 26, 2018. https://classicalwisdom.com/people/philosophers/platos-apology-wisdom-socrates/.
Reynolds, Jack, and Pierre-Jean Renaudie. “Jean-Paul Sartre.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, March 26, 2022. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/sartre/.
“Thinking/Walking (with Kant).” Department of Art History. Accessed May 28, 2023. https://arthistory.utoronto.ca/events/thinkingwalking-kant/.
