Enlightenment by Emily

Enlightenment by Emily - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

The purpose of an education is for enlightenment. Not just self enlightenment- meaning the student understands concepts and can answer questions using different levels of critical thinking but of awareness enlightenment. I believe awareness enlightenment is understanding and having a viewpoint on the world around you that enables you to contribute to the greater good of society. Education should provide opportunities for further enlightenment and most importantly, prepare the student for the means to get to future goals. The tools taken from an education such as writing, creating, building, communicating, problem solving, responding and reacting serve as a platform for success in other endeavors. Education gives the background knowledge that is a base for studying all concepts and theories and should make the student curious to learn more, do more, and be more.

One of the ways that education enlightens students is by showing them a structure of which to grow out of, eventually. The American education structure today, does, in some ways, a pretty good job of selecting out- which students are prepared to go the distance and work hard for success and which are not. People have choices and choosing to work hard to learn is a valuable thing to have- it shows true character. If someone is in an educational institution with no motivation or realization that that education is important- then the educational institution might have failed to do its most basic job. Anyone seeking out an education must want that education for something. That something might possibly be to get a job or career in a field of interest or talent, to help others, or simply to keep learning more. With an education there comes the responsibility and power to be a helpful and ethical member of society. That holistic ability to take care of yourself and your community stems from the purpose of an education, enlightenment.