I originally registered for a survival class out of curiosity for the lecture materials and a desire to spend time in the woods during the school year. I'm glad I did it. I had a lot of fun on my trip (more details to come). Here's a few things that stuck out to me.

1. The body can withstand more than one thinks.

I thought I was addicted to caffeine. Turns out I'm not, but I wouldn't have known it if I hadn't gone a weekend without it. I also thought that I would pass out if I went very long without food. Wrong. I ended up not eating for nearly forty-eight hours, and was just fine.

2. The mind is one of the most important things be aware of in a survival situation.

As the body starts to slow down, so does the mind. Yet the mind is oh, so important. It is the part of you that wills you to survive. In survival, it's important to keep your priorities properly ordered. Unless you take care of your mind, it will be difficult to make rational decisions, even about little things.

3. Having a lack is okay.

If you don't have what you need, there's probably a way to improvise and achieve the same goal, or at least come close. There's more than one way to do things. Lack is simply an opportunity for creativity.

4. Hurry is overrated.

Our world rushes along at breakneck speed, often needlessly, driven out of fear. In a survival situation, hurry can be deadly. It's good to slow down, place each foot purposefully and fully embrace each moment.

5. Sleep is precious.

If you're in a situation without food and limited water, sleep becomes all the more important. Rest renews your mind and provides bursts of energy. I ended up sleeping twenty-three hours on my survival weekend trip, as I went to bed and rose with the sun. Many of my classmates, however, struggled to sleep. I can't imagine how being sleep deprived would have added to my misery and impacted the following week negatively.

I learned a lot about myself through my survival class, and I am very glad to have taken it.