In the spirit of the back-to-school season, I’m considering a return to the classroom for the purposes of intellectual recreation and self-reliance. It is never a bad idea to pursue an extra education in a field of study that does not necessarily supplement your career or allow you to generate more income.
A return to academic learning at older age could as well tick both boxes, quenching your thirst for knowledge and setting you up for success. The personal and professional dimensions of gratification are often intertwined.
The grand challenges of our times are helping us reveal the unsung value of late-life learning. My goal is to feed my curiosity about the natural world and develop a stronger knowledge base that could be useful throughout my life. I aim to achieve that and enjoy the process too, exploiting some of my neuron clusters that seem to be standing by idly all day!
Learning new things of interest and contemplating their value or potential use cases in daily life represent a form of brain exercise that is far more effective than reading.
For instance, consider how important it is to learn about agriculture in a time when global food security is under threat. How vital is it to receive a medical education in a multi-pandemic era? Statistically, well-educated people live longer and healthier, let alone farmers or medically educated people who can look after themselves in times of need, thereby enhancing the quality of their own lives.
Have you ever experienced mild symptoms and prescribed yourself over-the-counter medication based on self-diagnosis through online research instead of visiting a doctor? Learning about your bodily functions and how to treat illnesses can reduce anxiety and uncertainty, improving your own physical and mental wellbeing. In addition to the ability to treat yourself, studying biology or medicine grants you a level of trust that you may not find in a medical practitioner. You also save money by not always seeking immediate medical attention.
Like high-school or university education, adult learning decisions can have a profound impact on us for the rest of our lives. Whether through formal learning or self-education, the ability to capitalize on science for the betterment of ourselves must be guided by reason and the right choices, especially that today’s knowledge economy is predominantly founded upon academia and information.
Put practice back into theory
Even if your goal is to advance your studies in your current domain, it’s thought-provoking to transition back to academic learning and put practice into theory! It helps you reinforce many of the foundational notions of your work, and allows you to become a better communicator. A deeper understanding of the underlying theory of your practice enables you to express your thoughts more thoroughly. This was my experience during my post-graduate studies, which I pursued once I completed three years of work after attaining my undergraduate degree.
Graduate, work, then you may get yourself a master’s degree
Many younger students go for a master’s degree right after completing their undergraduate studies. A fresh graduate is supposed to work for a few years, then pursue a postgraduate degree in something of interest and that adds value to her or his career.
Before incorporating into the real world of work, young students have limited knowledge about what they want for themselves. Having a taste of what you were educated to do for the rest of your life may trigger the quit or pivot alarm inside you. You may decide to shift your focus within a certain profession or switch careers entirely. Choosing a master’s course different from what you had in mind following your bachelor’s degree will give you a new chance to explore the work you truly like.
Continue your perusal of career substitutes
Perhaps the most critical times of our lives are the perilous passages from high school through university and out to the real world. We find ourselves at a crossroad, unsure which career path to take. In light of today’s lifelong learning culture, those tough choices accompany us throughout our lives.
Seek advice but make up your own mind
Unlike my younger self who selected a major based on quick chats with family, friends and so-called academic advisers, as a mature student I’m counting on the wisdom of older age to choose discerningly this time.
Guidance counselors in schools and universities may not be able to help you choose a path that complements your strengths, passion and outlook. Ironically, they mostly come from a purely academic background or lost touch with the realities outside the walls of their own campuses.
Family and friends may also give you bad advice. I myself may have been badly prejudiced by my circle’s ill-advised judgment about both my higher and university education. Thank God I made it out successful!
Apply yourself to making the right choice
This time, I’m choosing to believe in my ability to make my own sound judgment. At an older age compared to the average university student, I’m prepared to make better decisions around my renewed educational journey.
Never stop being a lifelong learner
During the years after my university graduation, I learned much more than I did in my university years. Apart from life lessons, formal adult learning is exciting and empowering given you have already figured out knowledge gaps and areas of passion.
It’s also motivational to be able to acquire knowledge that would enhance the quality of your everyday life. For instance, I’m keen on attaining an educational achievement in economics and finance, psychology and counselling, medicine and biology, or the most fascinating of literally all time—physics.
Academic circles have been under scrutiny as they are increasingly becoming out of tune with the realities of the current job market and the future of work. Despite the negative discourse on formal education, I still believe in the power of academic institutions and structured curricula.
Baha Hamadi, Board Member, Public Relations & Communications Association
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