Wake up. Go to school. Come home. Work on homework all night. Sleep and repeat. Every day, this cycle seems a bit too repetitive, like there can’t be anything more to life than years of school without an end in sight. But the truth is that there is more, only… they’re usually even more years of schooling after high school.

It may sound insane, and you’re probably asking yourself if your education is worth it. We all know examples of famous people who found success despite never completing their education: like David Dobrik and his friends, who all dropped out of college with degrees to pursue a different path or Mark Zuckerberg, who famously dropped out of Harvard.

But what if you have concerns about whether or not college is worth the cost? Maybe you could use that money for other expenses instead.

Or maybe it’s the weekly time commitment that has been holding you back. Or maybe it’s all those stories about students struggling with debt before they can even take their next step forward in life. Or maybe it’s the classic question of, “When am I going to need this in the real world?” Education is the key to success, so don’t discredit its worth.

Here are 10 major reasons why education is so important to your success in life. Education may not be the same as a framed diploma, but it can open doors that you couldn’t have opened before.

It’s a way to grow both inside and outside of the classroom and it has the potential to provide you with a prosperous future. That sounds pretty worth it right? Let’s get into these reasons!

10 Reasons an Education Is So Important to a Successful Life

Education is the path to independence

High school is a time to discover who you are and where you want to be. More importantly, it’s an opportunity for you to set your future in motion with a high-school diploma. It might not seem like much, but getting your diploma is the first step towards making a new you: An independent individual who knows how to take care of themselves, make money, and succeed.

Education is a lifelong journey that’s yours and yours alone. No one can take it from you. Learning more and understanding complex thoughts are important to maintaining a sense of independence. Imagine how enriched your life would become once you put yourself in situations where you were challenged and forced outside of your comfort zone. The more knowledge you acquire, the less reliant on others you would be, even in the simplest things like making decisions.

Education creates more career opportunities

So what’s the point of a high school diploma? Luckily for you, we’re old and wise and have been through high school. We know that it’s not an easy road, but if you can make it through four years of it, you’ll have opened so many doors for yourself. It turns out that about half of adults in the EU don’t have a high school diploma, so a high school education puts you in the upper echelon of workers. Additionally, research shows that only 32% of children born to parents without a high school degree will earn one themselves; however, if both the child and their parent earn a high school degree this number increases to 72%. The more education you’ve received, the greater your income will be.

Education helps combat poverty

Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure will make life easier. At the very least, having enough money to live on leads to a better life. Basic skills like reading and math will go a long way in helping you further your education and find gainful employment.

Schools play a key role in combatting poverty. For example, in the United States, many schools offer free breakfast and lunch programs for students who might not otherwise get access to food. Providing these resources is invaluable for both the students and their families.

Education continues (or kicks off) a virtuous generational cycle

Parents are an essential part of their children’s education, whether they’re teaching academic topics or life skills. Whether it was learning how to ride a bike, do a cartwheel, memorizing multiplication tables or learning how to read, it has likely left an impact on you. Your mom and dad have probably taught you everything they know.

It is up to you, as a person and an educator, to teach other people and children. Your learning creates a domino effect – the more you learn, the more you can pass on to those around you. Learning can’t happen exclusively from books or in one setting. Use your own education to educate those around you.

Education keeps you out of trouble

Here’s what we think. The best way to stay out of trouble is to stay in school. Everyone says it, so listen up: It doesn’t matter what kind of trouble you think skipping school will get you into, staying in school will solve all your problems. You’ll never have time to be up to no good when you’re always busy doing things that are way more fun.

One great way to explore subjects outside of the classroom is by joining a club. For example, our Spanish Club gives you the opportunity to learn more about Spanish culture and how the language works in various countries. You’ll also be able to try new foods or test your ability outside of the classroom. And you’ll meet like-minded individuals who are excited to learn something new with you.

Some people have had success doing the bare minimum in school, but an article by Health Care Resource Center found that high rates of boredom result in a higher chance of engaging in substance abuse and other maladaptive behaviors. In addition to all they already have to worry about at school, kids don’t need any more stress.

Doing the bare minimum in school is not a good idea. This can lead to early alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression, and more. Kids are stressed enough as it is. There’s no need to make things harder by limiting their access to resources that could help them succeed now and into adulthood.

Education helps you develop interpersonal skills

Insight, understanding, and social awareness are interpersonal skills that you won’t just learn in school. You’ll use these skills long after your formal education is completed. Teachers are often the best instructors of these skills. Not just insight class or communication classes-they teach you in every subject, like cooperation, teamwork and empathy. At a job interview, dates or trying to get a customer service rep to refund you money-these skills can really come in handy.

Insight, understanding, and social awareness are interpersonal skills that you won’t just learn in school, but instead carry with you throughout your formal education. These skills often learned in the classroom, will be used throughout all aspects of life–job interviews, dating interactions, or even when handling customer service situations.

Education widens your social circle

A good education should allow you to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people, do new things and cultivate relationships. These skills help you work well both inside the classroom and outside it. The school curriculum should also provide you with skills that will help you find success in life.

Share what you learn with others. Connect with classmates by talking about favorite subjects in school or reuniting with family members who share your interests. Attend events that focus on your favorite topics to make new friends and, who knows, maybe even meet a mentor, potential employer, future spouse, or new best friend.

Education builds confidence

The more that you learn, the smarter you’ll feel. The more educated you are, the better your social skills will be and the more likely that you’ll be able to talk about any given subject. Knowledge is power- it gives you confidence in yourself and intelligence in your actions. This can give a person an air of superiority when conversing with others.

When you really know your stuff, people will find a way to listen to what you have to say. Your expertise in topics ranging from quantum physics to why Hermione Granger belonged in Slytherin House in Harry Potter is something the world needs. Yet, even the most knowledgeable among us can’t share their story if they stop learning.

Education increases your passion for learning

One of the best things about going to school is honing your skills. In both high school and beyond, you can figure out what subjects you excel in and which ones aren’t your cup of tea. Not every class you take will be a good fit. Maybe English is where you thrive, or perhaps you’re a sponge ready to soak up dates and wars and iconic events in history class.

When you find something you love to learn about, it becomes a lot easier to get good grades in school. High school is a great time to take classes that help you build a foundation of knowledge on the subject you feel most passionate about. The more knowledge you have on the topic, the easier it will be to figure out what you want to do with your life. And digital technology has made it even easier – there are so many online courses available for different topics that can greatly help you when looking for a career.

Education can make your dreams come true

If you’ve ever had a dream, then you’ve never achieved it. But let’s get real here, without formal or informal education it’s doubtful you ever will. Is there anything that you set out to achieve as a child that you haven’t? At some point, we all have dreams of shooting for the stars or settling for something much more realistic.

You don’t have to get your doctorate in order to succeed. Education comes in many forms, and each one has many benefits that go beyond just learning new ideas.

Your education will expand your social skills, increase your confidence, break the cycle of poverty, and create opportunities for what is to come. There’s an old saying that goes: “You can’t have a dream without working for it”. So… are you ready to get to work?

Just because you’ve never tried something doesn’t mean you won’t be successful. When you were little, did you dream of being the next Great American Novelist? Or how about curing cancer? Maybe even moving to a beach house? It’s hard to imagine making any of these things happen without some sort of formal or informal education.

You don’t need to get your doctorate degree to succeed. There are a lot of ways to develop yourself, and education is one of them. Whatever way you choose, it’s going to be worth it. Education increases your social skills, gives you more confidence, fights poverty and at the same time widens the options you have for what’s coming next. There’s an old saying that goes: “Before you can dream anything, you must do something.” So what are you waiting for?

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