8 Crucial Lessons I Wish I Had Learned in University: How education lessens our prospects of succeeding in life
It is commonly believed that obtaining a degree is necessary to secure a good job and prove one’s intelligence.
However, this notion is often repeated by adults to younger individuals who may have a passion for education, despite the fact that the skills and qualities needed for success in the workforce are not necessarily acquired through traditional schooling.
The educational system tends to treat everyone the same, disregarding the fact that each person is unique. While attending school can have benefits such as making friends and becoming familiar with the area, the curriculum often has little relevance to real-life success.
Graduates, even those with advanced degrees, frequently struggle to find employment or are only able to earn a modest income. Rather than focusing on personal growth and development, educational institutions often emphasize memorization and repetition.
Upon graduating, many individuals feel lost and unprepared for life beyond the classroom.
Here are a few things I wish I learned in school:
1. Figure out what makes you come alive
Many of us desire happiness, but we often confuse it with comfort and contentment, settling for much less than what we aspired for in our youth.
Identifying one’s passion can be challenging, particularly at a young age. However, it may be beneficial to contemplate what sparks enthusiasm and ignites a sense of vitality.
If an immediate answer isn’t apparent, don’t be disheartened. Continue to ask yourself these questions frequently, and when you do discover an answer, write it down and make every effort to pursue it at that moment.
Instead of pondering what the world requires, Howard Thurman advises us to focus on what drives us and motivates us, as the world requires people who are truly alive.
2. Wealth has nothing to do with money
All of us aim to enhance our lives, improve ourselves, and money is not the answer to that. The most valuable treasures that we can possess are free and accessible to everyone.
Some of these priceless treasures include having a positive mindset, harmonious interpersonal connections, being free of fear, possessing self-discipline, being open to sharing our blessings, having the wisdom to accept people as they are, believing in ourselves and our ability to achieve our goals, and being involved in activities that we love, even if it requires effort. These are just a few examples of the many sources of happiness that don’t require any monetary expense.
3. Stop being afraid
We spend much of our time worrying about various things such as making the right choices, achieving financial stability, conforming to societal expectations, and the constant barrage of negative news from the media.
Fear is a powerful force that can leave us feeling paralyzed and unable to think beyond our anxieties. It stifles our creativity and prevents us from pursuing our passions and aspirations. It erodes our drive and initiative to set goals and bring our dreams to fruition, leaving us in a state of complacency.
4. Set goals
The objective should not merely be to secure a job, but to make a difference, attain success, assist others in achieving their objectives, and derive satisfaction throughout the process.
Without setting goals and devising a plan to attain them, your aspirations will remain nothing but unfulfilled desires.
5. Just because you are employed, it doesn’t mean you can’t be entrepreneurial
One of the most fulfilling experiences is having a team member who is constantly striving to improve existing practices. Rather than merely adhering to the conventional rules and regulations, try to think outside the box and consider innovative ways to enhance productivity in all aspects of your work. Moreover, extend a helping hand to your colleagues and superiors to facilitate the same.
If you are fortunate enough to work under a supervisor who values your input, you will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when your ideas are implemented, resulting in positive changes. Even if this is not the case, you will have exercised your creative faculties and avoided getting caught up in the never-ending rat race that many individuals are content with.
6. It’s ok to fail
It is perfectly normal to experience failure, and it will undoubtedly occur numerous times. The crucial aspect is to avoid being too hard on yourself and to extract a valuable lesson from each setback.
Such situations will teach you the most important lessons, so do not be afraid of failure. Strive to always do your best, elevate your standards, and upgrade your skill set. Learn from the lessons that are worth learning and move on swiftly.
7. Wherever you are, be there!
It is important to keep in mind that tomorrow is not guaranteed. The present moment is essential to shaping the person you aspire to become. To achieve your goals, it is imperative to be fully present in each moment and make an effort to do something, no matter how small, toward accomplishing them.
The risk of spending your life not doing what you love in the hope that you will have the opportunity to do so later is the most perilous of all. Remember the wise words of Randy Komisar, who warned against the danger of making such a bet.
The most dangerous risk of all is spending your life not doing what you like on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later. — Randy Komisar
8. When the voice inside you whispers “Quit”, listen!
I have mentioned complacency and settling for less than we truly desire because this seems to be a common pattern among many individuals.
Being complacent in a situation that does not bring joy is akin to smoking: you are aware that it is slowly destroying you, yet you continue to do it.
In the grand scheme of things, we are just a tiny speck in the vast universe, and most of our worries and fears are the product of our own minds.
It is vital not to be afraid to quit and start anew. Identify what truly makes your world spin, and make a conscious decision to dedicate all your efforts to bring it to fruition.
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8 Crucial Lessons I Wish I Had Learned in University: How education lessens our prospects of succeeding in life
I wish I had seen this article earlier …..such a good thing I wish I knew now am a fourth year who is panicking soo so much about life after school