Students know that mitochondria is the powerhouse of a cell, we know (or at least we knew at some point) that the Ming dynasty came to power in 1368, and we know that the second Amendment gives citizens in our society the right to bear arms.
As students, we know a lot of obscure and debatably unnecessary things. This knowledge spreads across a wide range of subjects, difficulty levels, and interest. It seems that the only constant in our learning is that it is constant— no matter where someone is in life, seven or seventy-five, there is always knowledge to be gained.
Students tend to see high-school graduation as an event where the “chains of learning” are removed and their trusty graphing calculators can be thrown into the bottom of their closet. However, for most, high-school education is just the beginning. In 2014, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 68.4% of high-school students enrolled in full-time college. Even after achieving a 4-year bachelors degree, the NCES reported that 40.2% of those students plan to further their education, whether that be a PhD, law degree, etc. As aggravating as it may seem, even after 10+ years of higher education, learning still is not over. Professionals frequently attend conferences to learn and become more proficient in their trades. Another important thing to remember is that a classroom and a professor are not necessary components for learning.
While all these years of impending education may be unsettling for some, I find it comforting. Right now, I do not even have half of the knowledge that I will obtain over the duration of my life. So, for those stuck with an “I can’t wait until I never have to learn again” attitude: good luck.
As students, we know a lot of obscure and debatably unnecessary things. This knowledge spreads across a wide range of subjects, difficulty levels, and interest. It seems that the only constant in our learning is that it is constant— no matter where someone is in life, seven or seventy-five, there is always knowledge to be gained.
Students tend to see high-school graduation as an event where the “chains of learning” are removed and their trusty graphing calculators can be thrown into the bottom of their closet. However, for most, high-school education is just the beginning. In 2014, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 68.4% of high-school students enrolled in full-time college. Even after achieving a 4-year bachelors degree, the NCES reported that 40.2% of those students plan to further their education, whether that be a PhD, law degree, etc. As aggravating as it may seem, even after 10+ years of higher education, learning still is not over. Professionals frequently attend conferences to learn and become more proficient in their trades. Another important thing to remember is that a classroom and a professor are not necessary components for learning.
While all these years of impending education may be unsettling for some, I find it comforting. Right now, I do not even have half of the knowledge that I will obtain over the duration of my life. So, for those stuck with an “I can’t wait until I never have to learn again” attitude: good luck.