Higher education – Gaining beyond a degree

Higher education – Gaining beyond a degree

‘There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.’- John Adams

From a very young age we are told that a university degree is an absolute must to succeed in life and lays the foundation of a prosperous career. While this is true and a bachelors/ undergraduate degree has become an essential criterion of success for a millennial, we fail to realize that higher education is more than just a degree.

 

Barack Obama once said, ‘folks can make a lot more by learning a trade than they might with an art history degree’ (The Economist, 2014). While everyone may not agree with this statement, it is true that University education is not just for a better career which can perhaps be achieved through experience and self learning, it allows students the chance to enhance self confidence and belief through the practice of enterprising skills and recognize that they are in control of their own destiny (Catcheside, 2012). We go to university is far more than to simply gain depth and knowledge in our field of study but to grow as a person and learn from our exposure.

Higher education is a way of instilling a mature and well-balanced intelligence amidst students. University education allows one to take action and learn from their mistakes thus working on self-improvement. It allows students to tackle problems from a new perspective through a combination of logic, creativity and innovation. It enables us to recognize and achieve goals because being at university helps us understand that we alone are responsible for our future and our actions today will influence our tomorrow. Therefore university education allows one to acquire more than just a degree but in fact the traits of a good democrat, good parent and most importantly a good person who is, ‘capable of happiness and contributing to the happiness of others’ (Catcheside, 2012).

Students departing for university and those applying should know the significance and change university will bring in their lives. They should begin their journey with a positive mindset prepared for a multicultural and dynamic experience that gives them much more value than simply a degree.