For a while I thought getting my undergraduate degree would be the last time I’d be a student. Because in a way, it can be. I technically don’t have to go to graduate school to have the career I want, in the sense that my Stevens undergraduate degree is enough preparation.
In a way this was nice to know — I don’t have to immediately jump into graduate school after four hard years at Stevens. I don’t need to worry about applying to schools, finding one that has a program I’m interested in, etc, etc.
But a few months ago I realized how much of a lifelong learner I am — I genuinely love school and being a student. Even just reading about topics that interest me and hearing different perspectives gets me excited. And it was at this time that I also realized I do want to go to graduate school some day. Not immediately after I graduate from Stevens, but after I work for a bit, I do want to return to this life of studying and research and classes. Studying what? Not sure about that part yet. So maybe I’m not totally in the clear of being a student again.
But even if you do plan to end your time as a student after graduating from Stevens, it doesn’t mean your education has to end too. I think a lot of times we view “education” as something you complete or obtain; that it has a starting point and an endpoint. After all, the phrase is “getting an education,” but in my eyes, education should be a constant state of being.
Education is not just stressing over books and frantically checking on grades. Education can be a really beautiful thing. It can actually teach you things about yourself — what you like, don’t like, things that make you excited, angry, bored, and more. It doesn’t have to be a long, laborious task.
Education can be as simple as reading a few articles online about something you didn’t know. It can be seeing something out in the world and then looking it up later after your curiosity is sparked, which I know we’ve all done at some point. It doesn’t have to be enrolling in a school and working towards a degree — that’s not the only form of education.
So if you’re graduating and plan to truly “peace out” and block out the last four years, I would say, you do you, but also try and reflect. If there’s something you’re interested in, you can still learn about it even if you’re not enrolled in a school or educational program. You can still be a student. And in fact, you probably will be — while a lot of “entry level jobs” require some years of experience, your first job after college will be a time to learn. If you’re walking across the stage, whether physical or virtual, don’t forget to bring the prospect of new educational opportunities with you. Know you can always continue your education or find new interests.
The Stute Editorial is an Opinion column written by the current Editor in Chief of The Stute to address and explain editorial decision making, discuss news and media issues, and develop a sense of trust and transparency between readers and members of The Stute.
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