Had I the chance, I wouldn't change my school, but I would change my goals for school.
I used to think that the kindergarten you went to - it was the length of your schooling - that's what shaped your success. In the minds of some there was always a notion that some universities were more respected, more recruiting, more promising.
My attitude changed as I grew older.
Of course the school I go to does matter. To an extent the quality of education, the facilities on offer, the lecturers, the learning environment and even the network of contacts you develop can impact on your journey. Some schools may open quicker than others just due to reputation.
But no longer do I think that the future lies with a school.
I have known graduates from well-known institutions who could not apply the things they learnt during their studies in the institution in real life situations over the years. Meanwhile, I've also encountered individuals from schools that are not well known that achieved success in their lives, businesses and careers because they were determined, self-educated and consistent.
It was a lesson I learned that really got my point across: The education that you receive is more important than the school that you go to.
For my personal learning, I have acquired more than knowledge as a result of my education. Much of the most important learning was through off-the-classroom activities. The ability to interact with various personalities, how to deal with pressure during an exam, how to deal with failure, how to face difficulties, etc. was something I learnt by no book of learning.
It was as much my experiences as it was my courses that shaped me.
Information is more readily available in today's world. Whether or not a student attends a university they can study programming, cyber security, digital marketing, finance, or even a foreign language, online. Often readiness to continue learning is more important than the words on a certificate.
However, I am not going to lie, all schools are not created equal.
A few schools have more comprehensive support, facilities, and exposure. As an aspirational student, if I could do it all again with no limitations, I would study at a university that would have more opportunity to internationalise my studies and develop research and technology.
I would have liked studying in a more cosmopolitan context, because I think it would automatically make me successful ant this is because of the exposure and opportunities afforded in such an environment, but nonetheless, I still love my school.
All schools have their constraints. All institutions have their own good and bad points. As I look back, I can see that many of the opportunities I have in front of me now have come as a result of choices I made in my extracurricular activities—new skills, hobbies, making new acquaintances, and the quest for knowledge.
If I had words of encouragement to pass on to younger students, one of them would be…
Don't depend entirely on your school to build your future.
Build upon the school, but then go beyond.
Read widely. Learn additional skills. Explore opportunities. Develop relationships. Stay curious.
In the end, it's not where you went to school, it's what you can actually do. However, the mindset, effort and desire to continue learning is more important to me.
Sometimes the best lessons you'll ever learn won't be in a classroom, anyway.
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