Musashi reminisces about the early days of his life in his old age or as he said “long ago in my youth” (Musashi page 3). In his own way Musashi goes over the different trials he faced at his young ages; he mentions that at the time they meant nothing. In his later years he reflects and thinks about them in his own ways. True he does think of how their styles must have been flawed in comparison to himself. Arrogance aside this can easily be related to modern day college students. We constantly are faced with trials and tribulations in the smallest things. Our issues are such things like worrying about a paper or project being due, whether or not someone is into us, or what we are going to do after college. In comparison these were not as serious as Musashi who faced death if he lost his fights. However, it seems that in modern day that men and women in colleges face more stress than past generations. Musashi lived in a time where he knew exactly what he wanted to do and how to achieve his goals. “I practiced day and night” (Musashi page 4) much like many College students studying day and night to achieve their own goals. In Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck he encourages people to stop worrying so much about the little things and to instead worry about enjoying life.

Musashi’s piece also talks of different utilities of weapons and armor throughout his book of Earth. In a similar way a student has many different ways of utilizing their own arsenal of tools to succeed through their college careers. The more joke worthy methods aside, college students have study groups, libraries, online resources etc. So there are many different tools at their disposal to succeed. It is sometimes hard for a student to use some tools though, much like a certain weapon takes training so to does a method of study. Musashi talks about many different weapons specifically which ones were better than others. Students spend most of their school years developing techniques of study and how to better utilize them to get better grades. Just how a master of the long sword cannot simply become a master of the spear. A student good at studying in the library, may not be as good at studying on their computer. There are many combinations but like each warrior each student is different in their own way and as such need to find their own method to succeed for themselves.

For some students the method they are using might not always be the best one for them, just like a warrior picking the wrong weapon. As Manson said “to change his circumstances, no matter the likelihood of failure” (Manson page 94). A student must be willing to make the change even if they don’t want to if they strive to succeed, they must make the change no matter the likelihood of failure. For many this is important. Personally, I had a flawed method of studying in high-school I knew that I had to make a personal change in my study habits if I had any hope to succeed at college. It has worked out so far for me.

It took Musashi many years to perfect his ability with a single weapon and as such it takes a student many years to sharpen their mind. A student’s mind is their weapon being used to forge a path through the years of education to reach the ultimate goal of graduation. After accumulating the knowledge to sharpen ones mind a student is the master of a craft after their time spent struggling through school. Like Musashi a student must then travel to find themselves and to find what their own calling in this world is. They must find an application for their acquired knowledge much like a swordsman must find a place that needs his sword. It is at the same time important not to forget Manson’s views. Trying too hard at something will often lead to more stress and decline in productivity. For this reason, a student must be patient and relaxed finding their own way through and not trying to follow someone else’s example. Each student is unique and as such must find their own method of succeeding in life to make their future. At the end of the day the knowledge we acquire stays with us if we retain it all we strive for is the certificate of affirmation at the end.

 

Detlef Nelson