The learning never stops

Each of my kids in school has an agenda book in which they've been taught to write their list of homework assignments.

It's a system to keep them organized -- and for parents to check up on them. In elementary school, we had to initial their entries every school night.

Any one who has been to college or university remembers the freedom and bliss of the first month of classes.

There is so much free time, and no homework. Most classes don't have daily assignments. Exams and papers are on the horizon.

Of course, the homework-free state is an illusion.

You have plenty of work to do, but no one tells you when to do it.

Like the motto of the University of B.C., "Tuum est," (it's up to you). You're supposed to be an adult now.

As a physician, in spite of the countless hours of labs, lectures, hospital rounds and late night study in medical school, I have learned much more in the intervening years of clinical practice and continuing medical education since I earned my M.D.

But for all of us adults, the real learning in life takes place outside of the classroom and beyond the covers of our books.

We continue to grow in the living of our real lives. We learn more about ourselves, our relationships and our world, but only if we remain open to that growth and our potential in life.

Though it's great to relax, kick up your feet and watch another episode of Criminal Minds or Grey's Anatomy, let's not fool ourselves into thinking that there's no homework tonight.

Dr. Davidicus Wong is a family physician and writer. His Healthwise column appears regularly in this paper. You can read more on his blog at davidicuswong. wordpress.com and facebook.com/davidicus.wong.