The Meaning of Education by Chantevi

The Meaning of Education by Chantevi - October 2022 Scholarship Essay

As a child of two immigrants, I had been raised to believe that education was the gateway to success. A game that had to be played perfectly. My dad had pushed all four of us to fight to the top. And that we did. We worked our hardest from the age of four to make our family’s name proud. I always despised the way that he had told us this. Though his years of being in the refuge had made me feel guilty of complaining about the small math homework that was given to us in elementary school. So no matter what, I tried my hardest as a kid to do just what he said. I was at the top of my class in fifth grade and everyone knew it. I didn’t like anyone who couldn’t keep up with me. I didn’t understand how everyone else was failing. Not trying their hardest.
Now in the year of 2022, at the age of 17, I realize this. Education is essential. Education is the gateway to success. However, education does not mean to give up on yourself. With balance, and confidence, education can be healthy and knowledgeable and not just a way to be “better” than everyone else. With subjects of different cultures, languages, and way of life, knowledge can help us learn the way of each other. I am so grateful of the era of technology that we live in. There is so much knowledge given to us at the power of a button. Everything needed to know is online and at everyone’s disposable.
There is no scoreboard needed to reach to the top. Neither a game needed to finesse. Even my dad has given up on playing this game. Once my sister had went through college and is now a registered nurse, he has learned a very valuable lesson. One can try their hardest working towards their dream of “success,” and still be incredibly unhappy. It is because it was education learned that was hugely forced. I believe education is to someone’s benefit. It could be for that traditional doctor/lawyer, wife and kids, success, if that’s what you want. Or it could be to see the world at its highest peak. Education is moldable but should always be fulfilling.
Throughout my life, the meaning of education has skewed to every definition. I have upheld it, put it on the highest pedestal. I have completely diminished it. Given up on every standard I wanted to live up to. And finally, I have come to peace with it. Education is the lessons throughout your life that are never-ending. It is what shapes who you are and who you’re meant to be.