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I never went to university because my family couldn't afford it and I didn't want to take on the debt myself.
So I don't have an opinion on loan forgiveness, but I do think this conversation does speak to a bigger issue: the education system, and the associated costs of it.
So I don't have an opinion on loan forgiveness, but I do think this conversation does speak to a bigger issue: the education system, and the associated costs of it.
I am by no means an expert on any of this, so feel free to correct me, but this is the way I see it.
Some of my childhood friends and I were arguably pretty intelligent. We were good problem solvers, well spoken, well read, and had that quick wit.
But we sucked at high school.
Some of my childhood friends and I were arguably pretty intelligent. We were good problem solvers, well spoken, well read, and had that quick wit.
But we sucked at high school.
High school didn't teach us anything we were interested in learning, nor did it appreciate or motivate our individual talents.
Since our high school experience was poor, and we were poor, we couldn't afford to go to university. And we didn't have the grades for a scholarship.
Since our high school experience was poor, and we were poor, we couldn't afford to go to university. And we didn't have the grades for a scholarship.
All our "smarter" friends went to university while we bopped around, figuring out what to do.
I got work in social media marketing.
My friend Scott became an exceptional cook.
My friend Julia turned out to be a whiz accountant.
My friend Blane lucked out and became an engineer.
I got work in social media marketing.
My friend Scott became an exceptional cook.
My friend Julia turned out to be a whiz accountant.
My friend Blane lucked out and became an engineer.
Now, these are all skills and paths that we mostly taught ourselves. My friends all eventually got college degrees in their respective fields, but more for formality than a need to learn.
We were always smart and talented, and we eventually made it work.
But now imagine this:
We were always smart and talented, and we eventually made it work.
But now imagine this:
Imagine if high school hadn't only validated our academically-inclined friends. Imagine if it had been a place where we could have found purchase for our individual talents and interests.
And imagine if then we could have been offered continuing, affordable education.
And imagine if then we could have been offered continuing, affordable education.
Post-secondary education is expensive but imo it's also quite privileged. If you can't afford it, you have to work your ass off & do super well in high school to get the grades for a scholarship.
And not everyone is privileged enough or even able to do that when they're 17.
And not everyone is privileged enough or even able to do that when they're 17.
I had always wanted to be a therapist. I think I would have made a damn good one too.
I think there's a lot of people who would have made excellent use of a post-secondary education. But until we make it more affordable, or change acceptance requirements, we'll be missing out.
I think there's a lot of people who would have made excellent use of a post-secondary education. But until we make it more affordable, or change acceptance requirements, we'll be missing out.
PS This Ted Talks by Sir Ken Robinson is a wonderful piece on the woes of standardized education
