The importance of education

In Mexico, there is a well-known statement that parents say to their children: “If you do not want to do your homework, I am going to send you to sell bubble gum to the street".  I know it sounds funny, but the shame of my friends seeing me created some fear on me. I still remember my mother yelling at me those words. After all, I finished my elementary school, high school and continued studying. My mother was very strict with me and wanted me to work hard on my assignments from school.

In contrast, many children in my country do not follow the advice of working hard in school.  There is much reluctance to study and to finish a degree. Many children and young person decide to abandon school and start to work.  The rate of abandon school is very sad, from 100 children that start elementary school, only 22 graduated from a degree. Some children pay attention to friends or adult people that mention that having a degree did not make any difference economically in their future income.  They based this affirmation on some persons whose finish a degree and finally getting a low-paying job. So, some students think that doing an extra effort on school will make any change in the future. Of course, this idea is biased because if one or several cases exist, it does not mean this is a rule of thumb.

I believe education can make us prosper in life. Prosper means to me that we become self-sufficient and offer a better lifestyle for our children. I am convinced education is the best investment we can do. I am studying at pathway, although I have a degree. I believe academic preparation never ends. Thriving during this life requires commitments from us to continue working hard in our education. I want to be prepared when an opportunity appears in my life. The philosopher Seneca said it as well as anyone: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.  

In my personal experience, education has helped me to achieve my goals: having food in my table, a nice house, and, of course, some luxuries as traveling around the world. I hope many Mexicans can appreciate the benefits of education and can see in education the best way to prosper.