“When will we ever use this?”

I’ve heard those words uttered countless times by peers in my classes, over anything from cell structure to correct grammar. It’s true, in countless careers or post-high school pursuits, you won’t need to know the Krebs cycle or Mongolian history. 

But there’s something more important than just the sheer information that is given with our classes. It’s the idea that every day you can learn something new—something that someone, somewhere, appreciates. Just like how an artist doesn’t need to know about protons, a chemist doesn’t need to know color theory. 

While I’ll never be a physics major, I know that I’ll use the research skills that I used in Honors Physics. Even though I’ll never bring up Chinese dynasties in casual conversation, learning about different cultures is an important skill that any engaged citizen should have. 

This Thanksgiving, give thanks to everything that you’ve learned so far in life, from your ABC’s to whatever’s on your finals next January. It’s the drive for knowledge that will help you learn the things that you will actually use after school. 

For this reason, I am thankful for all that I have learned in my 12 years in school. Even if I’ll never use anything after I graduate, I’ll still be glad to have learned it.