Between tests, exams and other activities, we are busy. That is a fact, and it is unchangeable. Too often, however, we close ourselves off to new ideas or new concepts. Because we are so busy, we have a very focused vision for our day, and for that reason, we ignore so many great opportunities presented to us.

Today, it occurred to me that I, too, am guilty of shutting myself off to new ideas when my friend asked me if I wanted to join a certain club with her. To respond to her question, I quickly said, “no,” claiming I was too busy as it was. While my reason was certainly not a lie, that is not to say I shouldn’t have tried that club with her. But, I didn’t try it. I continued my with my own life, unchanged by her proposal. That was when I realized I had lost an opportunity for bettering myself.

From my experiences, this situation occurs all too often, and it is only when we realize it is occurring that we begin to correct it. Once we have acknowledged our unwillingness to be open to new ideas, only then can we attempt to go about correcting it. In “correcting” it, however, I do not mean to say we should agree to join every activity we are asked to join. Rather, we must be more open to engaging in activities other than the ones we typically do.

In an attempt to stay open-minded, it is important that we evaluate an idea before rejecting it. Telling yourself that you are too busy to add any more activities is not an excuse to not try something with your friend for one day. Yes, in the long term, the activity may not workout—but, in the short term, it’s certainly worth a shot.

After all, it is through staying open to new knowledge and new ideas that we actually learn. If we close ourselves off to such ideas, our minds slowly become archaic as the world around us progresses. Through closing ourselves off to new concepts, we miss out on so much betterment. For that reason, we must challenge ourselves to always embrace new ideas and new possibilities — not necessarily accept them, but certainly try them.