Those who are being educated have rather a difficult time with their parents, their educators and their fellow students: already the tide of struggle, anxiety, fear and competition has swept in. They have to face a world that is overpopulated, with undernourished people, a world of war, increasing terrorism, inefficient governments, corruption and the threat of poverty. This threat is less evident in affluent and fairly well-organized societies, but it is felt in those parts of the world where there is tremendous poverty, overpopulation and the indifference of inefficient rulers. This is the world the young people have to face, and naturally they are really frightened. They have an idea that they should be free, independent of routine, should not be dominated by their elders; and they shy away from all authority. Freedom to them means to choose what they want to do; but they are confused, uncertain and want to be shown what they should do. The student is caught between his own desire for freedom to do what he wants and society’s demands for conformity to its own necessities, that people become engineers, scientists, soldiers, or specialists of some kind. This is the world students have to face and become a part of through their education. It is a frightening world. We all want security physically as well as emotionally, and having this is becoming more and more difficult and painful.
Lack of access to education is considered the root of poverty. Not getting an education can lead to a cycle of poverty. However, access to education can mean getting out of that cycle.
People with better education tend to live longer and have healthier lifestyles. According to research, people with higher education have a one-third lower risk of heart disease. Degree holders are also less likely to smoke and more likely to get regular exercise.
A personal benefit to getting an education is the opportunity to grow as an individual, experiment with what you are passionate about, and find yourself. You will be exposed to a diverse set of people and ideas which expand the mind.
Connecting Across Borders
The new world of digital education is helping those who get an education to connect across the globe with people from other cultures. Students can collaborate together across borders, increasing cultural awareness and worldliness of the individuals.
Education provides students with the space and the opportunities to meet like-minded individuals, either on a peer or mentor basis. In school, students meet leaders in their field, top professionals, and make contacts through extra curricular activities as well.
When you feel passionate about something, you want to immerse yourself in that topic. Education gives you the space to do so. In addition, you may find new passions, or new areas of interest within your field of study.
Sense of Accomplishment
Finishing any degree — whether it is a high school degree or higher education — is an accomplishment. Graduating gives students a huge sense of accomplishment and gives them the confidence needed to go out into the world and make something of themselves.
Students are required to go through many types of assignments, discussions, courses, and more during their time in education. Therefore, they end up with a wonderful skill set that translates into the workforce.
In addition, from extracurriculars, students learn arts, sports, and more that help them personally in life and to connect with others.
More Productivity
Those with an education have had more on their plate, and succeeded through it. They know how to manage their time and talents and be productive. After graduation, students can carry that productive energy into the workforce.
Better Communication
Students are required to turn in written assignments, work in groups, participate in discussions, or present in front of others. This leads to excellent written communication, speaking skills, and group communication.
Critical Thinking Skills
People with an education can think, and think well. They are taught to ask questions, reflect, and analyze — all critical skills for later success.
Identification of Skills
Some have skills that they haven’t yet discovered, and haven’t had the opportunity to expand upon. Education stretches the mind, exposes students to new topics, and pushes students to do better. As a result, students may find skills they didn’t even know they had.
Greater Sense of Discipline
Students are given increasing amounts of responsibility with each year of education they complete. It is the student’s job to manage their time and create their own success, leading to self-discipline abilities for those who succeed.
Degree holders have access to more jobs. For graduates of bachelor’s programs or higher, the unemployment rate is cut in half.
Photo by Godisable Jacob from Pexels
College degrees prepare students for a career, or for advancement within their current field. Higher education gives the training and skills necessary for success in a specific area. In addition, many positions require a degree for entry. Some may not even look at a resume where the applicant has no degree.
When an entire society is educated, productivity increases, average income increases, and unemployment decreases. This leads to the economic growth and stability of a society as a whole. It starts with education.
Higher Income as a Benefit of Education
Those with education beyond high school tend to have higher salaries than high school degree holders. Those with no degrees make the lowest salaries on average. For full-time workers in 2017, weekly average wages for those with no degree was $515, followed by high school graduates at $717, and $1,189 for bachelor’s degree holders. Those with graduate degrees made an average of $1,451.
Climate change is a large part of the conversation today, and society needs to work together to find ways to reduce impact on the earth. Educated individuals that enter the workforce will put their knowledge of climate change into company policies, leading to increased sustainability.
Photo by Archie Binamira from Pexels
A society that is well educated feels a higher sense of unity and trust within the community. Educated societies lift up the weak and bring a feeling of togetherness among all parts.
Promotes Equality and Empowerment
Education provides everyone with a sense of empowerment; the idea that they have the choice to change their own life and choose their path. Women with an education have better decision making capabilities and are more likely to take charge of their own lives.
Promotes Good Citizenship and Civic Involvement
Those with an education tend to be more aware of current political issues, and are more likely to vote. Higher degree holders are twice as likely to volunteer, and 3.5 times more likely to donate money than high school graduates.
Reduces Crime
Education teaches people the difference between right and wrong, and also exposes children and young adults to experiences of others. Understanding right and wrong and having empathy reduce tendency to commit crimes. Education of a society decreases overall arrests- just one year increase of average education levels of a state decrease state-wide arrests by 11%.
Reduces Gender-Based Violence
In communities with high rates of education for both genders, gender-based violence is lower. Educated persons are more likely to support gender equality, and are more likely to take efforts to stop and prevent gender-based or domestic violence. Communities that value education for both genders are less likely to have instances of terrorist attacks on girls schools.
Reduces Child Marriage
Girls with secondary or higher education are three times less likely to marry before the age of 18. Putting education first in a society allows for girls to be seen as people who can get an education and make their own decisions, rather than just a future wife and mother.
Reduces Maternal Death Rates
Maternal death rates drop significantly in societies with high education rates. Women with no education at all are 2.7 times as likely to die during birth as women with 12 years of education. Women with one to six years of education are twice as likely to suffer maternal mortality. This is because educated mothers are more likely to use health services, even in low socioeconomic settings. Lack of education is also a stressor for women during childbirth. The more stressors a woman has during pregnancy, the higher the likelihood for negative outcomes.
Benefits of Higher Education
Some people know exactly what they want to do once they enter the workforce, and some people may need higher education to get to where they need to be. A college degree is a required prerequisite for a growing number of jobs. Even if you aren’t sure what you want to do after graduation, it is a great benefit to go to college. Higher education will help narrow your interest and refine your skill set, showing you exactly what you are good at and what field you may want to enter.
Getting a higher education has some practical benefits too. When you look at income research, the evidence is clear that college graduates make much more than their high school degree counterparts. College grads tend to be healthier as well, with lower risk of heart disease, tendency towards healthy eating and exercise, smoke less and live longer. College graduates also tend to have higher rates of participation in political and community affairs, volunteerism and charitable donations.
Students go through a lot of personal development in college. Things such as critical thinking skills, time management, perseverance, communication, and presentation skills are all great assets not only for future work but for personal life as well. College grads get further in life, not just because of the degree they’ve earned, but the experiences they went through.
Pursuing your passion in the form of a college degree is the path that some people take and there is nothing wrong with that. If you really love music, studying music, then find a way to make a career out of it. College will help you get a deeper and more theoretical understanding of your passion and will also open your eyes to possible career paths and mentors.
College students study hard and they study often. They are taught to think alternatively and creatively to solve a problem. As a result, college students have high cognitive ability. Courses often require group work and presentations, resulting in better interpersonal communication skills for grads.
Don’t forget that college isn’t all studying. The friends you make during college will be the friends you have for life. They can also act as a social net, lifting you up when you are down and encouraging you to do your best in your studies, your profession and in your life. Learning to live with others and work well with others enhances your social skills as well.