From Struggling Student to Strategic Thinker: How Applied Learning Changed Everything

Lessons from a Revolutionary Professor Who Taught Knowledge Over Memorization

Coming from the small town of Fingerville, South Carolina, and transferring from a tiny college to a large university, I felt like an outsider at Clemson. On top of that, I had a learning disability I worked hard to hide. The pressure to keep up with traditional methods of memorization and standardized testing was overwhelming. But in the 1980s, I met Dr. Loyd Blanton, a professor who completely changed my perspective on learning. His introduction of the "open book" exam was nothing short of revolutionary, especially in a system that relied so heavily on multiple-choice tests and rote memorization.

At first, we thought having the book during a test would make things easy, but we quickly realized that wasn’t the case. Dr. Blanton's exams forced us to think critically, apply concepts, and truly understand the material. It wasn’t about how many facts we could recall—it was about whether we could use the information to solve problems. That approach stuck with me. It taught me that knowledge is only valuable when applied, not just stored away as trivia.

This mindset shaped how I interact with the world. I don’t consume information for entertainment or to keep up with pointless debates. Whether it’s politics, scandals, or media distractions, I ask myself what my dad always did: “What does that mean five years from now?” If it has no practical impact on my life, I don’t waste energy on it. Instead, I focus on knowledge that brings real personal gain—whether it’s about cars, gardening, investments, or making better daily decisions.

Looking back, Dr. Blanton’s method wasn’t just a different way to take a test; it was a way to live. Applied knowledge is what moves us forward, while useless facts only clutter the mind. His lesson taught me to filter through the noise and focus on what truly matters—something that has benefited me far beyond the classroom.

Jason Pike

Veteran, Bestselling Author & Inspiring Speaker

jasonpike.org