Learning is valuable and precious. There are many forces at work – including well-meaning parents, profit-seeking institutions, credential-obsessed employers – pushing us to seek education at all costs. But crippling debt, fractured relationships, or neglected health can turn education from something wonderful into something noxious.
Ask better questions
Education soaks up our anxieties and feeds on our insecurities about social status. But we can ask nuanced questions and research our options. Asking, “Is that actually true?” can give us the freedom to navigate the educational landscape while cherishing our health and financial stability.
Instead of asking, “Is college/university worth it?”, consider asking, “What are my values? What experiences would I like to have in my life? What sorts of people do I want to learn from? What communities would I like to be part of?” There are many paths to educational outcomes. There are also many paths to knowledge and understanding.
Applicants have the power to choose
Often, more prestigious institutions or full-time study are not the best way to achieve the goals you already have and are not consistent with your existing values. Instead of those institutions excluding you, you can choose between them and many other options which may suit you better. Institutions require that you complete a rigorous application process. You can reclaim your power and dignity and subject institutions to your own evaluations.
Empowerment
Universities may not be the best place to find others who share your values. There are empowering reasons to explore educational options beyond traditional university degrees. There are also part-time enrolment options and university distance programs. These may be more compatible with your financial and family obligations.
Is that true?
When you hear, “You need a degree to get a decent job”, ask yourself whether that statement is true and accurate or whether it needs a lot of additional detail in order to be true. Do the same when you hear, “Degrees are a waste of time.” Is that true? Can we say something more thoughtful instead and use that to make our decisions?
What education is not…
Education is not punishment, it is not a duty, and it is not a luxury. Treating it as any of these will often drain its value and cause it to play a damaging role in your life. Your educational choices will be made best when you take ownership of them. Does a particular path carry a high risk of eventuating in resentment? You have the freedom and power to reflect on what role you want education to play in your life.
The joy of celebrating your values
Education is a resource, an experience, and a process. It’s a social undertaking. Choose educational options wherein you have respect and admiration for the teachers. Take pride and find satisfaction in joining a learning community. Here are some examples:
- apprenticeships
- distance learning courses
- night classes
- weekend seminars
- professional development through an employer
- open-source video courses
- public library workshops
- four-year degrees
- professional courses of study
- research-based graduate study
- second-language conversation classes
- maker labs
- First Aid courses
- puppy training classes
Education forms who you are, if only through the time, money, and energy you spend on one form of education rather than another. There is true joy and fulfillment to be found in celebrating your values and being proud of what you learn.
Special thanks
Featured image by Akil Mazumder from Pexels