the concept of school

I have a love-hate relationship with school.

there were a lot of things about being a student that I enjoyed.

but I've also spent a lot of time when I was a student feeling like it was a huge waste of my time.

I think I've learned a lot from school.

but also almost nothing from all the lessons I've taken. well, nothing relevant.

there is one thing about school that really stood out to me though.

let me explain.

think about the process you take when you are in school to become good at the subject you take.

let's say for example – math.

the first time you learn about algebra, or plotting a graph, it probably felt weird and foreign to you.

there was probably a time where you felt like it was too difficult and that you were never going to get it.

and if you were given a chance to take a peep at the math textbook 3 grades above you, you'd probably have felt like you would never be able to get it in this lifetime and gave up on the subject.

except that you weren't allowed to give up. 

what happened was that you got better and better at math. and by the time you got to grade 12, grade 9 math seemed like the easiest thing in the world.

now "math" in this case is just an example. replace math with anything else that you are studying. medicine. law. engineering. coding. marketing. whatever. and you would see that the same concept applies.

if you are a first-year business student, it would probably take you a bit of time to get used to all the different terms that exist out there and know exactly what they mean.

by the time you get to third year, all of that will be second nature to you and your focus will be far beyond trying to understand what the different terms mean.

what I'm saying is that it takes time to be good at something. and school is the perfect environment for it.

the interesting thing I've learned is that this school "concept" doesn't have to exist only when you are in school.

you can reapply this to real life, and to something that you want to learn and get better at. and it will play out the same.

for example, you want to learn how to code. but you try it for a month and you still don't get it and you just give it up completely.

but if you don't allow yourself the option to give up, and keep going at it for another month, and another, and then you will reach 1 year, 2 years... after that your skills will be tremendously different.

it's not exactly school that makes you become good at doing something.

it's the environment that gives you no choice but to keep putting the time in. and because you put in the time, you become better at it. 

you are the reason why you are good at doing something. the concept of school is the catalyst. and school is literally just the venue you go to and sit down to do it.

I'm writing this because I feel like there is so much power we have within ourselves to do things for ourselves. there are plenty of things that I've gotten better at over the years and when I really look at it, it was mainly just because I put in the time.

I hear a lot from people who try something for 2 weeks and then they complain about how they are never going to get it and then they give up.

imagine if you go to school for 2 weeks and then try to take the final exam and fail and decide that you are too untalented for school.

you don't think that way because you know that you can only attempt the final exam after you complete a whole year in school.

the same goes for when you want to become good at something. you gotta put in the time. and you need to allow yourself time for that to happen before you judge yourself.

the concept of school is the biggest lesson I've learned from school.

there are some people who have to force themselves to go to school to be able to learn something. I believe that you can do it on your own if you want it enough. I think it all comes down to discipline.

 

 


41 comments

  • Emma

    For a long time I’d have agreed with you that people don’t achieve things through a lack of self-discipline and just not wanting it enough, perhaps it looks like laziness. I’ve beaten myself up for YEARS for being that way. I then came across Gretchen Rubin’s therapy of The four Tendencies, in reality I’m just an obliger and what is easy for an upholder is just not in my personality so I require accountability – thats why school worked. But just internally applying it now doesn’t work the same. I have to actively put accountability structures in place if I want to achieve my goals (goals for myself!). Anyway just a thought, as it’s not as black and white as you’ve stated above and doesn’t mean we aren’t ambitious, we are just hardwired a bit differently. I’d also like to see Rubin’s work have some scientific evidence to back up the anecdotal evidence so I do appreciate that but reading her theory it’s validated and helped me soooo much.

    Warmest wishes,
    Emma

  • Lyn

    Ron let me just say, I got teary when I read this and to be honest, it’s the exact same thing I’ve been feeling throughout my nursing school/life. The fact that I kept going through ups and mostly downs felt like I’m at my point where I want to give up and that nursing is never meant for me. But you know what, failure is what is pushing you to do more, self-time investment and exceed your capacity to learn. By the time you feel like this is another failure, success will surprise you into an achievement you never imagined. Study time investment and extreme self focus is the key to any success, and as much as we dislike school, it is the most incredible place to put us is the right path where we needed to head to in life💚

  • Ccke

    I just started college about a month ago and I already feel so overwhelmed, like I don’t belong here and I’m too stupid to understand anything that’s going on. But you’re right, learning and understanding takes time and sincecI already got this far, might as well give it my best and finish it. I rarely get motivated by anything, but this post really motivated me to study so thanks! :)

  • Duffer_mutant

    Bro you have explained everything that I have been through ✌🏻 that is the reason I subscribed you ❣️🤝🏻

  • EVA YOGESH PANCHAL

    I can’t thank you enough, about how happy am I to read this. I am from India and I’m appearing for one of the most competitive and toughest exams in the country. This course has 3 stages and I had failed 6 times in the second stage but now I’m halfway through the finals. Just 4 more papers and I’ll be done but there’s a lot of anxiety around it and past flashbacks. When i get something wrong I tend to blame myself but hey this made me feel so much better. Thank you.


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