However, the development and expansion of our wisdom can be accelerated by the knowledge we gain from the life experiences that accompany our learning.
We can benefit more from what we know and better understand our experiences. We must view learning as a lifelong process to make the most of ourselves and reach our significant potential. It does not matter whether it is self-learning or in an educational institution.
3 Reasons Why We Should Keep Learning Throughout Our Lives
1. Limited resources
There are inevitable reasons for the end of formal education. For most of us, devoting whole years to learning continuously only makes sense when we are young or at the beginning of our professions. However, changing course is expensive and time-consuming, and not all enjoy the luxury of starting a new career at an advanced stage of our lives.
Therefore, as our compulsory education nears its end, we have to decide whether or not to continue learning ourselves, a decision that must be made based on our current resources and circumstances, which in themselves may be abundant, comfortable, or rare and restricted. There is always the issue of return on investment that must be taken into account, and the return on investment is a simple percentage calculated by dividing the net profit (or loss) from the investment by its cost to see if an acquisition is profitable or not and to compare it with others.
Most people may need more time and experience to get to know themselves when the time comes when they are forced to decide their future. If they continue their education, they risk their time and money on something of little importance or benefit.
The level of risk depends on the resources and support available to the individual concerned. If financial resources are scarce, risking these resources in an expensive education may not make sense.
Risk-takers are compelled to pursue their educational goals because they will lose money, time, and progress if they decide to alter course.
These individuals may have to continue their path toward a specific career path, although they have long realized that this path is no longer critical, so people change. The youth period is a dangerous time to make fateful decisions throughout life.
2. Irrational comparison
The inevitable end of our formal education does not mean the end of our informal education. Fortunately, we live in an era in which literacy and educational resources are widespread. So, we can choose a flexible self-learning model.
Compared to formal education, formal education generally means education leading to a degree. Yet, the knowledge gained from these formal qualifications will not lead to any personal growth or development of true wisdom.
That is a result of the inflexibility of formal education; those seeking certificates must follow strict guidelines for their programs and must study specific programs at an exact time.
On the other hand, when we rely on self-education, we determine the structure we will follow. Since we have complete freedom about the content and timing of our education, we can be sure of its significance. However, the value does not come in the form of certificates and official papers, so self-education cannot improve our earning potential in any direct way.
Instead, its value lies in enhancing our wisdom. At any stage of our lives, we are attracted to what complements our level. We will naturally search for information that meets our needs, curiosity, and questions.
So, in educating ourselves, we actively develop the wisdom we need to overcome our crises rather than passively waiting for life's experiences to teach us their (often painful) lessons.
3. A rewarding challenge
Self-education requires little financial investment and may not even need it. Although it requires time, it gives us the freedom to choose the time that suits us and requires our attention. It grants us the freedom to select the program of study that suits us, and the only obstacle to self-education is motivation. Formal education provides us with a schedule of deadlines and community support, which we need help finding in self-education.
Overcoming this obstacle requires that we consider the value of our education and ourselves, and here, the importance of self-esteem arises. If we do not consider ourselves a helpful investment, we will not bother to invest in it. Individuals who aspire to maximize their lives must assume responsibility for their education.
We must take responsibility for building and engineering our support systems and incentives. Thus, we become the ones who organize our minds, and we choose the path of our lives.
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