Patience and Temptation

I was in my Philosophy of Literature and Cinema tonight, and I've realized one thing while observing as, one by one, students leave the class: college students can exhibit signs of temptations just as kids do.  That seems like extremely elementary logic, but I find it kind of interesting because I think the same scenario is similar to the Marshmellow Test.  Essentially, this test tests the child's self discipline with trying to be patient with themselves and realizing the fruits of their labor if they'd just persist.  Usually, the child who waits turns out to be more successful and happier in life, while the ones that didn't wait didn't fair so well.

Frankly, I don't know if whether or not I'll be able to wait for that second marshmellow because I don't know how I would've reacted at 4-5 years old.  This experiment seems to be similar to the night class I just had.  It's late at night, and all everyone wants is to go home and rest.  There are people leaving abrubty left and right with every opportunity they have.  The teacher gives a 10 minute break.  "Let's bail guys!"

I managed to wait to the end for every class so far, but I can't speak for every college student that this same idea of waiting applies to the Marshmellow Test.  Perhaps I already know the result of the Marshmellow Test.  And I'm just forcing myself to believe that if I wait through the entire class, then I'll be happier and successful.  But to give me some credit, I remember always waiting for forever as a kid until piano workshops are over and never once intended to leave until the program was officially over.

Also, I don't know if any of the college students who did wait for the whole time if their lives are any successful or happy at all.  Though, this is pretty interesting stuff when being compared to the kids in the Marshmellow Test.


Thinh Nguyen