The True Value of Education by Mackenzie

The True Value of Education by Mackenzie - January 2021 Scholarship Essay

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" - Nelson Mandela
Education is not only obtained from reading books, or merely sitting in a classroom. It is learning lifelong skills, and values that can be applied to the real world, and it can also be passed on to others. Education is a privilege because of the fact that there are children in the world who do not have access to education.
Education is a privilege. Elementary and high school are free, and at times we tend to take advantage of this. We are always complaining about the endless amount of homework we are given, the stress put on us as students, and the countless nights of studying. There are always careless, and ungrateful students in every class that would rather waste the entire day instead of learning. Many of these students are either so far behind that they have given up, and/or they no longer have a passion to learn.
Most students struggle in school which is completely normal, but you have to push yourself, and be engaged in order to actually comprehend anything. In past experiences, there have been various topics, or assignments that I have had trouble with understanding. However, I never gave up, I continued to work through the confusion. I continued to ask questions, and tried over and over until I fully understood. That is what teachers refer to as an "aha moment", or the eureka effect where suddenly you completely understand what was once incomprehensible. That feeling is like no other, you feel on top of the world; and suddenly, all your hard work was given a purpose. That moment is what makes education so valuable and all worthwhile. That passion is what drives students to further their education and knowledge.
Education is a gift. It helps contribute to the reduction of poverty, allows us to look at life with increased intelligence, provide us with better opinions and perspective; and it also helps us to build our character.
Knowledge is power, and this power cannot be taken away, or limited. Education is often taken for granted, and people need to understand it is a privilege that we are given.