Education is more than simply the idea of classroom learning but is rather the conflation of a student’s values and experiences. In this sense, one could infer that the process of education stems from the collective exchange of ideas, values, and analyses in addition to one’s past experiences. This essay will inform the reader of my opinion on what the value of an education means to me and what elements of education I consider to be worthwhile, or applicable to my life. I will expand on the value of an education not just by what is attained by “formal education” but also by an “informal education” as well. I will also explain how much we gain just by going through life, which in itself is an education. I believe it is important that I am able to continue my education, because it is by far the greatest investment of time and finances as well the most rewarding privileges I can provide myself to be better prepared for today’s society. I live in a society where it is very important and often required that one attains an education whether it is high school or college. Although a post secondary education is much more acceptable by today’s society. This is why I decided to focus on furthering my education and taking full advantage of the opportunity to earn a degree and develop my interest in fine arts. It is believed by many that a formal education obtained from a high school might just not be enough for the advancement in fine arts in today’s society. This is why it is important to continue to pursue a post secondary education. Well for me when I think about the value of education I believe that all education provided by a formal institution is important and necessary in order to be able to move on to another level of formal education. This is why I refuse to believe that a high school education means nothing. Had it not been for me completing high school I would not have been able to continue on to attain a post secondary education. Throughout my life my focus has been solely on learning more about art this is why when I was comparing universities throughout my junior and senior years of high school, I compared all the programs offered and evaluated how best it would accommodate me and my skills. I had to be sure that my own skills and weaknesses were factored into my decision while I prepared myself for a placement at a university I desired, especially one that specified in the fields of my interest. I knew that was the only way I could be sure that I was going to go to school for all the right reasons, such as experience, knowledge, development, and also to be prepared intellectually for society and maturity. When I think about what counts as learning to me, I think about my life. Just being able to live in this world to me is a learning experience, because I feel that my life is full of lessons and I believe that it takes lessons to learn in life. I feel that I have learned to understand education more and to also understand the value of learning. As I get older I can comprehend subject matters more than I could ever before. I am learning to be more serious and I find myself not taking life for granted. I have learned the value of an education. I now look forward to learning new things everyday. I feel that I am beginning to have a passion for learning. I never thought that I would feel this way about learning because I never did appreciate it like I do now. I now actually yearn to learn; I feel that I need to learn new things. Every assignment I have done in college is teaching me something new. I think I feel this way because being educated has allowed me to mature and be more open minded. Informal education has contributed greatly towards my personal development in terms of my values, skills, knowledge, and attitude towards life. However, the values I have gained from informal education has made me learn to appreciate the advancements life offers, an example of this is being that I come from a family where a college education is absent and everyday that I have to see my family struggle makes me value the opportunities I am given. This is the reason I am happy that I’m taking full advantage of learning both formally and informally. I have used the skills to assist me in challenging situations such as school projects and also to help others that are less privilege. My attitude towards life has changed a whole lot knowing that life is not something I should take for granted, simply because it can all be taken away from me if I am not very appreciative and also if I am not giving it my full focus and potential. Life is a journey and a cycle in which education play a major role. The struggle, encounters, and joy I have experienced in life has and will forever be the best education I receive, because it is endless unlike a formal education which ends when I decide I have had enough. An informal education will only end when I am extinct therefore I know that this type of education is a sound and very profound part of my life as it is a continuous part of my journey through life. An informal education allows me the opportunity to build a network, not just based on my knowledge but also by the people I surround myself with. Ever since I have had the knowledge to understand I have faced and encountered numerous trials and tribulations which have provided me with a great education and an even greater understanding. For example when I was younger I was constantly told not to do certain things because it would hurt me, like do not play with the fire or I will get burnt or wear a jacket when it is cold outside because if I do not I would get sick. These are the things that have taught me right from wrong or good from bad, these life lessons would forever remain with me and I will be sure to pass on whatever I have learned because I can help someone from making the mistakes I have made, especially the people I love and care about like my family and friends. Life provides an education all on its own, which involves socialization, interaction, and survival. I can say that socialization is a huge benefit for me as an individual because I have gained access to learn about what I value in life, the cultures of others and behavior and I have also learned more about who I am as a person. Learning about my personal identity allows me to use my social skills the best I can in whatever social position I am place in. Being able to build a social network allows me the privilege to interact with and influence others as well as the interaction being mutual and reciprocated towards me later on. Life has also provided me with skills, knowledge and tools that I need to survive. After all being here to experience life itself is enough survival for me.
Informal education of life teaches me everyday how to love, trust, respect, understand, and be compassionate towards my loved ones and others (including friends and family). It is safe to say that many of the things I have learned so far are through my experiences and personal observation in life. School has provided me with the formal aspect of what society expects. My experiences throughout life has made me learn and understand things better for what it is supposed to be and this has definitely allow me to see things beyond the formal educational setting of life.
Whether it is informal or formal education it has always been a very important aspect of my life and a tremendous contribution towards my advancement as an individual. Both informal and formal education has been passed down from generation to generation and will always remain a factor towards my continuous development and growth as an individual. I believe both formal and informal education played a huge role in me being the stronger and smarter individual that I am today, and I know that I will continue to attain both types of education to help lead and advance future generations.
The value of an education is priceless, because learning and knowledge is very much appreciated in most if not all societies. There is and will always be a great respect for education, because an individual’s course of action determines their lifestyle and future. Be it informal or formal education, they both play a very crucial part of an individual’s life. This is why obtaining an education is important to me and definitely because it opens up the doors to many opportunities and provides for me a pathway for future personal achievement and success.
So to conclude, both informal and formal education to me is a way that will permit me to life’s experiences and better enjoy life’s joy. Through my informal and formal educations not only have I advanced my comprehension but I have learned to be a better person. Through my formal education I have learned many new things and bettered my skills in art by taking numerous art classes such as; printmaking, 2D design, color theory, and ceramics. My informal social skills now allow me to share my artwork with people I come in contact with. Although my education and life are not yet over, I now know that both life and education is a journey. Education is a journey endured by all in some shape or form. It is almost impossible to go through life and learn nothing. To realize that you know nothing, is to realize that there is so many things to engage, explore, and experience in life.