Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts by Sarah

Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts by Sarah - April 2015 Scholarship Essay

Martin Luther King, Jr. has spoken many motivational speeches that are quotable but succinct in a way that is unique to him. We will always remember his “I Have A Dream” speech for being inspirational without exaggeration. However, those aren’t the only important words credited to Dr. King, for he told us that “the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the true goal of education.” This perfectly sums up the idea behind education; that neither schooling nor world skills are beneficial until they are put together.

I see this as the classic argument of ‘street smarts’ versus ‘book smarts’. To most the world, you are either one or the other. Usually it is quite easy to tell; I fall securely into the category of book smart, for example, and I have a friend who rightly considers herself street smart. However, when Dr. King’s words are applied, you need to be both to thrive. To be street smart is to have the character. Or, in other words, to have situational awareness, which is being able to assess a circumstance and create a plan of action. Intelligence is aligned with being book smart, where you appreciate precision and accuracy, as both will lead to a better understanding. Whether it is general knowledge or a specific subject, these intellects enjoy learning in any form. When both are combined, you get the ideal result of a proper education; someone who can think quickly and apply practical knowledge to a situation.

Participation is a key element to the success of education. For example, a student who loves school but is socially-conscious probably won’t join any clubs, and therefore lack the development of interests. Likewise, a person who has a dozen interests, but dislikes academics, will dedicate their time to their hobbies instead of their schoolwork. In both situations, the students end up with only half the equation. This is why employers and college admission officers both appreciate students who have good grades and a well-rounded social life. These students are proven to be more successful throughout their lives as they have the skills needed to adapt to most circumstances.

The goal of education is to teach both skills simultaneously, therefore well preparing a student upon their graduation. And I believe school does exactly that; a student becomes more intelligent in class while learning character through interaction with peers and participation in extracurricular activities.