Learning is the foundation of thought. Every moment of everyone’s life is consumed by learning one thing or another. Just by utilizing the five senses a person is taking in information, forming inferences, and eventually making decisions based on them. It is literally impossible not to learn, which is good, because learning leads to progress.
Everyone learns in different ways, so naturally, everyone learns different things. Many argue that education should be censored because it leads to conflicts which can become violent, but all conflicts, no matter how small or large, are vital to progression. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This is because without it, progression is at a stalemate. If no one was to question facts, then everyone would be living in the same conscious and the world would remain unchanged for an indefinite amount of time. However, when questions are posed and positions are challenged, humanity shares and gathers more information, which either leads to deciding whether the situation should remain the same, if it should change, or a split down the middle where each side collects more information to convince the other on why they are correct.
Learning leads to discovery in all fields. For example, when a scientist performs an experiment he or she observes until a hypothesis is proven or disproven. If it is proven it becomes a theory. Then other scientists either build upon or challenge the theory, which always leads to new technology and new questions to be answered through the same process. If one person chooses to learn, thousands of others may do the same, and billions of discoveries will be made. It’s a giant cycle.
From the beginning of my life, I have been taught that education, by school, self, and others, is the easiest path to a successful life. This has not only encouraged me to eagerly retain information, but it has also given me a positive outlook on my mistakes. I have learned that failure is simply another opportunity to grow in mindset and knowledge. Many who have not yet realized this become angry or upset when they do something incorrectly and they fixate on the fact that they did something wrong in the past, not on that they can do better in the future. Because of my appreciation for learning, I have taught myself to move past my failures, learn from them, and do greater things.
At this point, learning is the only thing I know for sure that I want to do with my life. Right now I want to become a fiction editor, but one year ago I wished to be a writer, and before that I wanted to be a plastic surgeon, lawyer, Broadway star, singer, dentist, etc… Still, I always knew I wanted to go to college, get a master’s degree, and never ever stop learning. What I didn’t know was that I would be doing a big part of that much sooner than my peers.
This is Bard College at Simon’s Rock, and it is where I will be living and attending school next year. Keep in mind, I just turned sixteen years old, I have not finished high school, and that is indeed a bonafide college. That’s right, I’m going to get my bachelor’s degree without a high school diploma.
That’s what’s so amazing about learning. It can push you to places like Simon’s Rock, designed for people who just can’t get enough information like me. My strive for education has led me into an early college program where others who know how important it is will be as well. If I did not value knowledge, I definitely would not be attending the school of my dreams in the upcoming semester. My life is being turned completely around because of what learning has done for me, and I’ve never been more excited.
Signed,
The Writer
