Risky business

On this date in 1967, Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first human-to-human heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Performing this groundbreaking procedure was an enormous risk, one that could have led to failure or tragedy. In fact, it resulted in a monumental leap forward for medicine. Today, thanks to Dr. Barnard’s daring decision, countless people worldwide have lived longer, healthier lives, benefiting from heart transplants and the advancements that followed.

Just as Dr. Barnard took a calculated risk to push the boundaries of medical science, students today are also making choices that involve risk. Taking risks is not only about challenging the status quo, but it is how we grow, adapt, and discover new things about ourselves and the world. It may feel safer to stay in our comfort zones, but to truly develop and succeed, we must be willing to step outside of them.

Of course, risk taking doesn’t mean acting recklessly or impulsively. It’s about making informed decisions and embracing uncertainty with a sense of purpose. The truth is, students already take calculated risks every day without realizing it. They do so by:

Participating in class discussions or debates
Presenting to a large audience
Trying new study methods or learning techniques
Tackling challenging coursework
Joining new social groups or extracurricular activities
Submitting work for a competition
Asking for help when they need it
Taking on leadership roles
Exploring unfamiliar subjects or interests
Or applying to college

Each of these actions involves evaluating potential rewards and consequences and taking the risk of stepping into the unknown.

By teaching students how to assess risks thoughtfully and encouraging them to embrace these challenges, we help them build resilience, confidence, and critical skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives. Just like Dr. Barnard’s groundbreaking surgery, taking risks—when done carefully—has the power to transform lives.