| In many ways, I have never been much of a student, | | | | much I needed to hear those two words nor how |
| especially if you are talking about being a student within | | | | much they would change my semester and literally the |
| the confines of a classroom. I've always loved learning, | | | | rest of my life. |
| don't get me wrong, but get me inside a classroom for | | | | I have absolutely no idea why my Latin professor didn't |
| months on end and there is little that can be done to | | | | suggest that I buy a Latin dictionary. I'm actually a little |
| keep me interested in even the most fascinating | | | | bitter about it now that I think about it. Anyway, I |
| subjects. I have no real idea how I managed to make it | | | | rushed off to a bookstore the next day and |
| through four years of college. My Latin class in | | | | purchased the cheapest and biggest Latin dictionary I |
| particular almost had the power to ruin my college | | | | could find. I had little money, but I felt like bigger must be |
| career. I am convinced that I might have quite school | | | | better when it came to a dictionary. |
| had it not been for my Latin dictionary. It saved my | | | | Over the days and weeks ahead, I poured over that |
| education, and hence, my life. | | | | dictionary as I studied for my Latin class. Having that |
| I realize the previous statement may sound extreme, | | | | resource taught me an amazing amount that I just |
| but it is true. I was so fed up with the stresses of my | | | | wasn't getting in the classroom. I pulled my grade up |
| Latin class in college that I nearly dropped out of | | | | from a failing score to a B in the remaining weeks of |
| school. I guess I didn't have things in the best | | | | the class. But that's not all that happened: I had a |
| perspective, but that is how deeply I was being | | | | renewed love of learning. Yes, the Latin dictionary was |
| affected by the class. In the sixth week of the fifteen | | | | responsible for my pursuit of learning and of new |
| week class I called my father on the phone and finally | | | | knowledge in many areas. It did little to make me enjoy |
| told him of the truth of my current plight. He simply | | | | time in a classroom, but it did inspire me to pursue |
| listened and then laughed at me and muttered two | | | | many of the things I now love. |
| words. "Latin dictionary," he said. I had no idea how | | | | |