Why College Education Is Important To Me

THE VALUE OF AN EDUCATION

“Why College Education Important To Me” Ashworth College

Abstract
For many people, the value of an education is equivalent to what may be achieved throughout those formative years and possibly high school and for others It has greater value to achieve college and beyond. However, a good solid education no matter the source is a foundation like no other and is necessary for nearly every event in life and the opportunity to explore a new journey of self discovery. THE VALUE OF AN EDUCATION AND WHAT IT MEANS TO ME An education, how often we hear this throughout every stage in life. An education can mean power to some, can be life affirming for others, and overall priceless to everyone, it’s so much more than earning a degree or an award that shows you have completed a particular academic goal. For me, it means so much more. An education encompasses a full knowledge and understanding of one’s self, what inspires them, motivates them and empowers one to seek what brings them happiness and closer to one’s goals and an overall purpose in life. During my own experiences in high school, the pressure to achieve a college education seemed endless and often overwhelming as there were others in high school who seemed to have it to have it all figured out. These ideas, notions and pressures for youth to graduate and become successful as I reflect was somewhat of a grave injustice to the individual needing something more, something centralize or differently structured academically to at least bring about the best results of continuing education beyond the 12th grade and create substance. The pursuit of educational value impacts individuals differently as it a personal journey and sometimes a personal struggle but as I matured I realize that society places high importance on earning degrees and being successful without always providing the effective foundations to do so. The rate of high school drop outs alone is at a staggering high, and as of April 2013 this number was 3,030.000 and counting (Static Brain). With such statistics, this leaves little ambition for the pursuit of a college education even at the junior level. Much of my own experiences in high school were not the best and in many instances could have led to my wanting to leave but the great part of getting to know ones self is the ability to envision the type of future you desire and deserve as well as how to achieve it.
Having soon realized a college education became not only necessary for my life journey but it would provide for me the means to support my children, seek gainful employment and make a name for myself. An education would add to my existing value and finding this attainable helped me to look even further, deeper and with a much broader scope. There is a quote that has given me a sense of hope and courage by Maya Angelou, “All great achievements require time” (Goodreads). I am entering into one of my great achievements in my life by pursuing a college education in my 40’s, working and raising my boys and each time I’ve become hesitant or unsure of my capability to return to school, I realized what the value of an education would truly mean for if I simply took this first important step. Another quote that helped me relize that we are never done with learning “It is impposibe for man to learn what he thinks he already knows” (Inspirational Quotes Today) Epicteus. This shead like on the fact that we should always keep an open mind to the new chances to learn, and expand on our potential. “Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned, and however early a man's training begins, it is probably the last lesson that he learns thoroughly” (Famous Quotes and Authors). Thomas Huxley
Whenever I seek out inspiration, this quote has also given me a push toward my re-entering college, it affirms for me that there will always be a need to explore education, that value is ever increasing no matter the individuals needs and goals, we are in a constantly changing process of development and economic survival and in this lies the drive to do more and though we may experience many defeats, we must not be defeated, I have learned to persevere and focus on my best at whatever I set my mind to. Another quote that helped me relize that we are never done with learning “It is impposibe for man to learn what he thinks he already knows” (Inspirational Quotes Today) Epicteus. This shead light on the fact that we should always keep an open mind to the new chances to learn, and expand on our potential. The value that I have found in education is the value of an open mind, the value to look beyond the surface, the value to be fearless in my maturity and value in seeking my greatest overall potential. This is what an education means to me and as I continue to set new goals and aspirations for myself, I will strive always to inspire others to do the same.

Angelou,M Motivation and Inspirational Quotes.(n.d.)
Retrieved June 14, 2013, from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes Huxley,T Educational Quotes (n.d.)
November 4, 2013, Retrieved June 14, 2013 from http://www.famousquotesandauthors.com/authors/thomas_huxley_quotes.html Statistic Brain High School Dropout Statistics. April 28, 2013, from http://www.statisticbrain.com/high-school-dropout-statistics/ Epictetus Inspirational Quotes Today (n.d.)
Retrieved June 14, 2013, from http://www.inspirationalquotestoday.com/2013/01/inspirational-quote-from-epictetus-it.html