Think Piece: To Be Self-Educated

There’s not a doubt in my mind that education is one of humanity’s most crucial virtues. The ability to pursue knowledge is important. A basic human right all too often taken unjustly. How many children grow up without school? How many adult women were never taught to read? I’m sure many of you have more examples than you do fingers. A lot of people do. What’s important is taking opportunities to educate yourself even amongst this injustice. 

And education can be found anywhere. You don’t need a classroom to learn. For example: every Sunday or so I go to church with my grandfather. This would sound ordinary on paper if I it weren’t for the fact I’ve been an atheist for the past four years. But I go anyway, despite the full boredom service provided me, I love the stories it provides. Not from church, but from my grandfather. 

For example; last month on the way home, he pointed out his old elementary school, the park where he and his siblings used to play, and told me about the tech high school he used to attend. It was a walking (well, driving) history lesson. He explained how he flunked out of the advanced school, how his elementary school was desegregated but still mostly black. He told me he still regrets not trying harder in college, and getting a job with his engineering degree. 

I love hanging out with the elderly. There’s always a lesson to be learned from somebody who’s lived so much life. Likewise, you can find yourself educating solo. That could include anything from taking a walk around your neighborhood and finding something you didn’t know was there, or going on an internet deep dive on something you’re interested in. You could even embark on a personal project. For example: during my freshman year I set a personal goal for myself: complete a full-length novel by graduation.

As I’m writing this, I’m midway through my first draft. 216 pages! That could be anybody. Anyone can embark on something they’re passionate about, and learn what they’re capable of. Write your own 216 pages. Paint that painting you’ve been imagining. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t turn out as you imagined, you can do it again. And again. And again.