Students Learn Life Lessons from Winnie the Pooh
Written by Victoria Barry
In the cozy Formal Lounge, a group of college students gathers for a half hour of pure delight. Equipped with steaming mugs of hot chocolate, they sit in a large circle and listen to the whimsical adventures of a certain “silly old bear,” of whom they are quite fond. Some of you may be old companions of Winnie the Pooh and his tales. Others may acknowledge only a passing acquaintance. No matter your past history with this chummy fellow, the A.A. Milne Society welcomes you with open arms.
After a long day of classes and the prospect of an evening crammed with yet more studying, A.A. Milne’s stories offer relaxation. This welcome relief takes us on a stroll back to the carefree days of childhood. At our meetings, one of our wonderful professors reads a chapter from Winnie the Pooh. Each reading session focuses on a specific adventure in the Hundred Acre Woods, the home of Pooh and his forest friends. From birthday trips to hunting expeditions, these stories promise laughter and excitement.
As these characters explore the world of childhood, they provide deep insight into the human experience and offer beneficial advice to people of all ages. Their adventures are heartwarming as well as philosophical. An excellent combination of silliness, wisdom, and fun, these tales appeal to the child inside each of us. It is easy to lose this childlike joy when we spend all day buried beneath textbooks, studying for exams, and worrying how we will make a living after earning our degree. When these worries threaten to overwhelm us, remember Pooh Bear and his friends. They also struggle with life’s difficult questions and remind us that although life can put us in some tight places, it is still a thrilling journey. As Milne reminds us, “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
So next time you find yourself forgetting the significance of life amidst its chaos, take a deep breath, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and step with us into the wonderful world of Winnie the Pooh.
Victoria Barry is a junior majoring in English with a minor in Classical Education. She participates in Hillsdale’s Catholic Society, volunteers at Mary Randall Preschool, and is the vice-president of the A.A. Milne Society.