From an early age we are made to believe that the only way to be successful in life is through good education. But how accurate is this assumption? Is success only guaranteed to those who have read academically for their knowledge? Or does real life experience teach you the skills necessary to make it in this world? Why should education only be confined to the four walls of a classroom?
Let me start by saying that I am in no way suggesting that education doesn’t have its place, but let’s face reality, not everyone is cut out for the rigours of the formal education system; having to sit written exams to determine the level of your intelligence, creates unwanted anxiety that not many people can or want to experience. Some people are practical learners and develop their skills through their own life experiences. While both experiences have their pros and cons, the question is, is it better to be book smart or street smart?
Book smart individuals tend to be very articulate, well-read individuals that can construct a sentence using the most unorthodox words in ways that make you believe they recited the entire encyclopaedia.
“Not everyone is cut out for the rigours of the formal education system…”
In schools these are the straight “A” students who are in charge of all the major academic clubs and usually the teacher’s favourite pupil. Their knowledge spans the wealth of literature they have read and they spend their time for the most part reading, increasing their knowledge in other forms and are always competitive and hungry for knowledge; their accomplishments are based largely on their academic achievements and success.
They go on to be accountants, scientists, doctors and lawyers and make important discoveries in science and technology that change the world. On the flip side, they also often tend to be very reserved, socially awkward individuals who cannot exist in spontaneous and impulsive environments as they thrive in structure, order and routine. Very often these individuals, when thrown in the real world away from academic structure, find it hard to adjust and cope.
Street smart individuals tend to be more adventurous and spontaneous and are able to adapt to any real world situation or environment. Their success is as a result of their ability to survive any challenging circumstance they may face. Often times these individuals come from financially challenged backgrounds but learn quickly the importance of hustling to make ends meet. Their knowledge is as a result of their life experiences and their ability to bounce back from any form of defeat or challenge.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #8, 2016 Issue.
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From an early age we are made to believe that the only way to be successful in life is through good education. But how accurate is this assumption? Is success only guaranteed to those who have read academically for their knowledge? Or does real life experience teach you the skills necessary to make it in this world? Why should education only be confined to the four walls of a classroom?
Let me start by saying that I am in no way suggesting that education doesn’t have its place, but let’s face reality, not everyone is cut out for the rigours of the formal education system; having to sit written exams to determine the level of your intelligence, creates unwanted anxiety that not many people can or want to experience. Some people are practical learners and develop their skills through their own life experiences. While both experiences have their pros and cons, the question is, is it better to be book smart or street smart?
Book smart individuals tend to be very articulate, well-read individuals that can construct a sentence using the most unorthodox words in ways that make you believe they recited the entire encyclopaedia.
“Not everyone is cut out for the rigours of the formal education system…”
In schools these are the straight “A” students who are in charge of all the major academic clubs and usually the teacher’s favourite pupil. Their knowledge spans the wealth of literature they have read and they spend their time for the most part reading, increasing their knowledge in other forms and are always competitive and hungry for knowledge; their accomplishments are based largely on their academic achievements and success.
They go on to be accountants, scientists, doctors and lawyers and make important discoveries in science and technology that change the world. On the flip side, they also often tend to be very reserved, socially awkward individuals who cannot exist in spontaneous and impulsive environments as they thrive in structure, order and routine. Very often these individuals, when thrown in the real world away from academic structure, find it hard to adjust and cope.
Street smart individuals tend to be more adventurous and spontaneous and are able to adapt to any real world situation or environment. Their success is as a result of their ability to survive any challenging circumstance they may face. Often times these individuals come from financially challenged backgrounds but learn quickly the importance of hustling to make ends meet. Their knowledge is as a result of their life experiences and their ability to bounce back from any form of defeat or challenge.
To continue reading, purchase Vol.8 #8, 2016 Issue.
Share this post: