At first, I was enamoured with the school and the University grounds. I strode around the campus feeling the power and the learning radiating from the buildings. You feel surrounded by greatness, by something bigger than yourself.

I chose to attend a few years after high school instead of continuing the education immediately like some. I wanted to travel and experience other parts of the world before committing to a learned path.

Attending University

With my travels done and wanting to settle in somewhere I got a job at a local used bookstore and set to work with my studies. I began a degree in psychology.

There are some major benefits to attending a university.

• It’s a great opportunity to make some connections with peers that share similar interests. These can become lifelong friends or partners.
• The professors are often fountains of knowledge that inspire and motivate.
• You can acquire a degree, which is a powerful tool if looking for a certain career

The Business of it

While working at the bookstore I noticed a theme, most of my coworkers already had undergraduate or graduate degrees, in studies ranging from philosophy to anthropology to nursing. Unsurprisingly a lot of English majors also worked at the bookstore. And yet, most of them still laboured at the bookstore, unable to find careers in their chosen fields.

I couldn’t help but wonder if that would also become my fate when I left the University 4 years later with mountains of debt?

When I took this step back and was able to remove the rose-coloured glasses I can clearly see the business behind the University. Unfortunately, the institutions that thrive and persuade the most are at the profit and benefit of the unforeseen business owners, who count students like heads of cattle.

Education should be taught as a lifelong lesson. We should be constantly learning. I would love to see the Universities open for all. To inspire and educate anyone who wants to be in that communal learning setting.

It’s not for everybody. 

If your goal in life is to experience the world, to savour in its beauty, you can do that. You do not need a degree to prove yourself. Find what moves you, what shakes you to the core. Find your community, people are what it’s all about. Maybe you can find that at a school, but unfortunate if you need to rack up tens of thousand’s worth of debt.

The world is a playground no need to be too hard on yourself. Find what you support and dive into it.

My life now

I’m happy as a clam these days. I start my days slowly and with purpose, a meditation in the morning, a pot or two of tea. My partner and I run a sustainable tea company and try to write and inspire others to find groundedness in themselves and the community they build around them.