Is School Really Important? My Thoughts After Joining a Thought-Provoking Forum Discussion
Last night, I did something I’ve never done before — I joined a discussion forum about a topic that has lingered in my mind for years: Is school important?
It was my first time participating in a discussion like this, and to say it was interesting would be an understatement. From the very start, the conversation gripped me. The moderator began by asking some bold, challenging questions:
- Why do we need to go to school?
- If it’s for knowledge, can’t we just find that on YouTube?
- If it’s for making friends and building connections, can’t we do that anywhere?
- If it’s for a certificate, why not just buy one?
- And if it’s for job security, why are so many degree-holders unemployed?
These questions didn’t feel like they were meant to be cynical — they were meant to challenge the norm. They echoed the very same thoughts I’ve had since graduating from vocational school.
Questioning My Purpose After School
I remember the feeling well. Standing there with my diploma, I thought, What did I really get out of school? For years, I followed the system: studying, attending classes, passing exams. But after all that, I was left wondering if any of it really mattered. Did it actually prepare me for life? For work? For anything?
Instead of jumping into university, I made a decision that confused some people around me. I decided to wait. I wanted to find my purpose first, and then decide if higher education was the right step for me. Why rush into something when I didn’t even know what I wanted from it?
So, I went to work, hoping that real-world experience might bring me some clarity. Still, the question of whether school was essential lingered in my mind.
Searching for Answers in the Forum
In the forum discussion, it became clear that many others had similar doubts. But instead of offering thoughtful answers, a lot of people seemed to fall back on blame.
“It’s the government’s fault,” some said.
“The education system is broken,” others claimed.
“Teachers are to blame.”
It was frustrating. While these points might hold some truth, they didn’t get to the heart of the issue for me. I didn’t want to sit around blaming others. I wanted to understand the purpose of education — my purpose for it.
Just as I was about to give up, two responses stood out, cutting through the noise of complaints and finger-pointing.
The Two Answers That Changed My Perspective
The first response that caught my attention was simple but profound: It depends on your consciousness about school.
This made me stop and think. The person wasn’t suggesting that school, in and of itself, is important or unimportant. They were saying that the value of school depends on your own awareness and perspective. How you approach learning is what matters.
The second response was even more direct: School isn’t important — knowledge is.
And just like that, everything clicked into place for me. It wasn’t about whether the system was broken or not. It wasn’t about whether the government or teachers had failed. What mattered was the pursuit of knowledge. If that’s your focus, then it doesn’t matter whether you’re in a classroom, watching YouTube, or learning from a mentor.
Education Is for Survival
One key takeaway from that discussion stuck with me: Education is for survival. This perspective was a game-changer. In today’s world, knowledge is power. The more you know, the better equipped you are to navigate life’s challenges, seize opportunities, and grow.
If you’re focused on gaining knowledge, you’ll naturally start to respect your teachers, regardless of whether they’re standing in front of a classroom or offering advice on a forum. School becomes just one of many places to learn. Books are just one of many tools. Degrees? They’re merely formalities — pieces of paper that show the world you followed a certain path, but they don’t define the depth of your knowledge or your ability to survive and thrive.
So, Is School Important?
In the end, I realized that asking whether school is important isn’t the right question. The real question is, How important is knowledge to you? School, at best, is a tool — a place where knowledge can be found, but it’s not the only source.
If you value knowledge, you’ll find ways to acquire it, whether inside a school or not. You’ll seek out mentors, dive into books, watch educational videos, and engage in meaningful conversations. You’ll grow and learn no matter where you are.
So, is school important? Not necessarily. What’s important is your consciousness about the value of learning. Once you realize that knowledge is the key to your survival and success, you become unstoppable.
My Journey Going Forward
That discussion forum solidified something I’ve been grappling with for a long time. It’s not that I’m against going to university, but I’m glad I didn’t rush into it. Instead, I’m taking the time to explore my own priorities and motivations. My focus is now on gaining valuable knowledge, not just collecting degrees or ticking off boxes.
When I do choose to continue my education — whether it’s through formal schooling or other avenues — I’ll be doing it with a clear purpose: to acquire the knowledge I need to grow and succeed.
And that, to me, is what education is all about.
