Types of Informal Education and its Impact on Formal Education by Hannah

Types of Informal Education and its Impact on Formal Education by Hannah - June 2024 Scholarship Essay

Informal education has played a great role in improving how I go about my formal education. Life becomes more difficult in newer ways stepping into a college degree;- the greater the isolation and expectations the deeper the rifts seem between you and everyone else. There is no one way to be a functioning member of society, but higher education institutions have very concrete expectations on how to teach students, such as grades and teaching styles-- no growth without struggle, and no meaningful struggle going unpunished. First year students are cut off from direct support of loved ones for the first time with ever creeping deadlines and financial responsibilities steadily creeping towards them as time marches towards the deep end of adulthood. Roadblocks to success hit even harder, and learning how to navigate the narrow strait of academic success without outside opinions is a recipe for disaster. Luckily the internet gives easier access to viewing the material in a different lense. Adding online resources such as crash course, organic chemistry tutor among others helped me tremendously with coursework and with guiding me to work things out on my own. Crash course for instance not only gave me easily digestible forms of classwork through videos but also provided more sources in easy formats that encouraged exploring other topics and branches of disciplines.

I have not yet learned many soft skills, such as public speaking, professional notetaking, or networking, in formal academic settings. While it isn’t possible to change the education system, finding outside methods helps supplement classroom education. Support from others outside of academic institutions from parents, siblings, extended family, and even strangers helped give me a new perspective on approaching problems differently. My parents encouraged their children's education but emphasized specific roles and guidelines. Finding something without their approval was often discouraged even at their own detriment. The collective efforts of the community educating itself was underemphasized in my household growing up. Hierarchy gave strictly defined roles for responsibilities and in turn how and what knowledge was accessible. Gender roles, as well as financial issues, played a large part in this. Dealing with the immense pressure of childcare and full-time jobs gave my parents little time for parental experimentation, so they dealt with these unknowns through routines and strict rules. Learning from your parents is important and a core part of the model of a healthy childhood, but finding support outside of two people can be more beneficial for everyone involved.

A lot of formal education is focused on memorizing information and understanding concepts, whereas out in a field setting or volunteering, I can learn how to deal with spontaneous issues with critical thinking skills and gain confidence from actively supporting the local community. My field work with the Texas Stream Team has given me many opportunities to apply my know-how in constantly changing environments. Texas Stream Team is a volunteer-based organization that trains citizens to monitor water sources for the state of Texas. By testing the quality of the river at Sewell Park in San Marcos, I have had the pleasure of educating the public on the health and history of the local water source. I’ve also learned to perform my duties in changing weather conditions and to manage scheduling conflicts. I have learned leadership through taking responsibility for myself and others in unfamiliar situations. Working within a group and working with others outside of vying for a job or accolades is a beneficial skill that is rarely taught formally. As the treasurer of two nationally recognized organizations, I have learned how to compromise with others through event planning, communicating around deadlines, and distribution of responsibilities. I have found more ways to support my fellow officers in ways I would not have heard of if I was not in said position.

Emotional education has also been very important in my education journey. Seeking out mental wellness has helped me manage my stresses and anxieties, improving overall quality of life and ability to succeed academically. This has given me the confidence, resilience and emotional regulation to develop independent research skills outside of the classroom.

The CCE certification program at Texas State is a way of developing leadership and communication soft skills in an informal setting. The program itself is designed with four milestones: identifying and articulating your skills, developing skills based on your career, getting work-based experiences, and finally applying all skills learned through a presentation on gained experiences. Soft skills such as networking, life/work balance, research skills and building cover letters as well as many more are necessary for my growth. Each session gives resources and chances for development in environments with professionals to guide and assist with students learning precious skills inside and outside of the program.