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The Proper Way to School

Do you believe you can leverage schooling for success in life? No, I'm not talking about succeeding in school, but about how your schooling experiences and acquired knowledge and skills drive your success in life, regardless of the school you attend. Do you believe you can succeed in life simply because you go to school? Yes, it's possible, and you can if you go to school the proper way.

Yes, many graduates, especially those who are still looking for jobs wouldn't agree with this, but that doesn't diminish the fact that schooling experience can foster success. However, it is not every student in schools today will end up fulfilled even after completing university education. Why? It's because they're not approaching school as they should. Many are just going for the sake of going, not having any related goals in mind. This is the core issue that has affected many graduates and still affecting so many students and undergraduates. Such students likely won't succeed as a result of their schooling experiences and acquired knowledge and skills, because there is a proper way to school to be certain of success, leveraging the experiences, knowledge, and skills.

So, how do you go to school to be certain of your success in society, leveraging your education?

The basic understanding you need to possess about schooling is that going to school must be intentional, not routine. You can't go to school absentmindedly or routinely and expect to achieve something worthwhile with the experience afterward. No. Schooling must be intentional, and intentional schooling involves the following:

1. Setting Clear Goals: There was a time when going to school for you was just a routine, without a clear end goal. You couldn't differentiate school from home life. Consequently, tracking learning outcomes and highlighting gains wasn't prioritized, because you were just a mere child at the time, and that mentality and oversight ended with childhood. So, one of the proper ways to school for success is to set clear goals. Before you start learning, ask yourself: What are my goals? What do I want to achieve? Having clear goals helps you stay focused and motivated.
2. Asking Yourself: What to Do with the Knowledge: Another important thing you should do is to ask yourself questions: What can I do with this knowledge? How can I use this knowledge to make a difference? How can I apply this in my life? It is said that when the value of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. The right way to go to school is to know what you can do with the knowledge you are going there to acquire, and asking yourself those questions helps you see the bigger picture and apply what you've learned.
3. Being Mindful of Every Activity: Being mindful means being present and engaged in each activity. In school, this means: paying attention in and out of classes, participating actively, focusing on assignments, and reflecting on what you've learned. Mindfulness helps you absorb information better and retain it longer. It also improves focus.
4. Thinking about Everything: Thinking critically about everything means questioning and analyzing what you're learning. Ask yourself: why is this important? How does this relate to my life? What can I do with this knowledge? This mindset turns you into an active learner, not just a passive recipient of information. It helps you connect dots and apply knowledge effectively.
5. Being an Active Learner: Don't just sit in class and listen. Participate, ask questions, and engage with the material. This helps you understand and retain information better. This is a meaningful way to school. See this video on how to be an active learner.
6. Making Mistakes: One of the many things that scare most students is making mistakes or not getting answers to questions right. Your fear is justified; at the same time, it is okay to make mistakes while in school. It is the only evidence that shows that you are actually learning. Here's the thing: schools are meant to be places where you make mistakes. Think of school as your first workplace, where mistakes are allowed and learning from them is encouraged. This is your chance to try, fail, and learn without major consequences. Minimize mistakes in the real world by making them in school. So, making mistakes is the right way to school and it means you are making efforts with your learning.
7. Seeking Help When Needed: Seeking help when you need it is another effective way of schooling. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you're struggling. Teachers and classmates are there to support you. Struggling alone can lead to frustration and falling behind. Seeking help shows you're proactive about learning. You should seek help to clarify doubts, build confidence, and improve understanding, and you can do this by identifying what you need help with, asking questions in class or during office hours, joining study groups, or using online resources or tutoring services.
8. Making Connections: This is another effective way to school. You can make learning more interesting and relevant by relating what you're learning to real-life situations, which helps you see the bigger picture; try asking yourself how you can apply what you're learning, looking for examples in everyday life, or discussing applications with others to boost engagement and retention.
9. Building Networking: Networking with other students is a valuable part of schooling because it allows you to share knowledge and resources, get support and motivation, collaborate on projects and assignments, and develop essential skills such as teamwork and communication skills. These connections are mostly built in schools by joining study groups, participating in class discussions, attending campus events (if undergraduate), or engaging in online forums related to your interests. This will enrich your learning experience and open up opportunities for future benefits.

In conclusion, learning through schools can be tough and misleading – it goes beyond learning in classes and attending every lessons, but following the above tips will guarantee your success as a result of your education - schooling experiences, acquired knowledge, and skills. Don't listen to those who have missed the point of schooling and are out there discouraging others. Believe in the process and everything you are doing accordingly; your capacity refined in the process will open the desired door for you.

All the best as you school the proper way.