Academic Education is Over Rated

From undergrads to master’s students, to PhDers and College dropouts, we’re all guilty of spouting this kitschy phrase. The difference therein lies with what is meant by those who say it. I’ve said it, I admit. But I’ve said it not really believing it. I’ve said it because it’s a hip, fashionable, couture thing to say when you’re in the process of attaining your degree. If I really believed this sack-of-shit comment I wouldn’t be a university student. Instead, I’d be content to set my life in neutral, lugging around terracotta pots day to day, complaining about not being given enough responsibility, then complaining more when I’m given just that.

If there is one universal truth about university it’s this: All of us have reasons. Many of us do it for our parents. Some of us do it because we’re scared of the real world. Some of us do it because we think it’s the way to prepare ourselves for the real world. Some people do it out of fear of being left behind. Still, there are others who see school as a road not taken, but certainly a path they'd like to wander. For these people school is a place where they might find their way to a better life, and in turn, find out who they really are. Now I can’t speak for anyone, nor can I point to any of you and say with any certainty who does what for which, but I can tell you this:

I am not in school to make myself smarter.

School can do many things, but this is not one of them. I’m intelligent, and that is all. Arrogant? No, no, no. I am simply not modest. Nor should I be. I have worked very hard to get where I am. I have not spent the better part of my life sitting on my ass lamenting my misfortunes and not owning up to my failures. I have taken advice of friends, as well as my fair share of lumps and bruises from critics. And never once have I resulted to calling names or calling threats, or attacking someone’s significant other when they were simply trying to shake my tree. That is below me. And that is for cowards. If my saying "I'm intelligent" makes you feel icky then that's your problem, not mine.

For the college drop out the phrase “Academic education is over rated” takes on an entirely different meaning. I can’t speak for them, nor can I put words in their mouths, but I know how bitter failure can be. That’s all I can say about that, never being a drop out myself.

I’m in school not because I’m afraid of the real world; I could write without being here. I’m in school not because my parents force me; I hold the reins in my life. I’m in school not because I have something to prove; I know I can follow through. I’m in school not so I can say I’m smarter than you, get over yourself. You’re really not that important. (And by they way, I never said that. Maybe I don't have to. Maybe you already know.)

School does not make a person smarter, it challenges people to think. It's helped me to see more clearly the things I will fight for and the things that are not worth my time. I am in school because I have an intrinsic need and love for learning. Call me a nerd and loser for that. It won’t matter. I was never modest in that respect. And any how, the expiry date on intellect is way further in the future than that of beauty. Academic education is not over rated. Beauty is. Beauty does nothing for no one but itself.