Keep Close #2

This is the second quote that is being added to my ever-growing list of favorites. I had this quote written down on the front one of my schoolbooks to keep my mind on the prize, to gain knowledge beyond the average education. This is one of my favorites for many reasons and I hope you love it as much as I do.

“Don’t let your boy’s schooling interfere with his education.”-Mark Twain

It’s important to remember that the children in school aren’t learning everything there is to know about life, not even home-ec 101 is going to prepare them for the real world. a child may be the star pupil in their school and thrive in that learning environment, but it doesn’t mean that they want to pursue a Ph.D. after they’re graduated.

They spend nearly all their life not making their own decisions, waiting for the next task given to them and memorizing vocabulary words, that isn’t learning. Yes, algebra and history are things that we all should have a general knowledge of, but we should also want children to figure out for themselves what subjects, cultures, and projects they’re interested in learning about. What sparks a passion in they’re heart? What makes them hungry for knowledge? How do we make them the best versions of themselves?

I believe the answer is independence, when a child is in school they are never given an opportunity to think for themselves. They read about Greek gods, have to remember their names, then take a test and forget about it. How is that learning? Are they enjoying the system in place? Do they feel like they are retaining the information given to them?

I leave these questions because everything should be questioned. Don’t let your school get in the way of your passions, your happiness, your family. learn something outside of school, have a hobby, don’t think that taking a break for studying is going to ruin your entire future. We make it seem like if a kid doesn’t get into the best college they’ll never get a job. They will get a job, it may be after they racked up over one hundred grand in student loan debt at a college they never wanted to go to, but they’re going to get a job.

After living for so long doing what everybody says is they best thing for you(and I admit that people are not always wrong)you are going to realize that you need to be a bit selfish. Because risking being stuck at a job that you hate for the sake of “family tradition” isn’t going to bring you any happiness. At some point you are going to find out what you like to do and your gonna do it.

Mia Mason