Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on psychology.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

In psychology, we often look at role models for inspiration. Many people suggest that studying the biographies of great historical figures—scientists or leaders—is a valuable tool for personal development. They believe we can learn from their successes and failures. However, others argue that these figures lived in vastly different times, making their experiences irrelevant to modern challenges. Do you find studying historical lives to be a useful guide for today? Why?

Student response 1:

I find it very useful. Even though their contexts were different, the fundamental human challenges like perseverance and dealing with failure are timeless. For example, learning how a scientist overcame repeated experimental failures can motivate us in our own struggles. Therefore, their stories offer universal lessons.

Student response 2:

I think it's not that relevant. The social and technological environments were completely different, so their solutions don't apply today. Instead of looking at the past, we should focus on contemporary role models who face the same complex issues we do, like navigating a digital world.