How To Make The Most Out Of Schooling
March 1, 2007 by
Adam
Filed under
Entrepreneurship
Today I read a post by Dave Askaripour asking if any entrepreneurs had experienced the physical hatred of school that he had come to recognise as he was finishing up University, and whether anyone had solutions to coping with the problem.
This struck a chord with me on 2 notes. Firstly, I’m still in full-time education from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon and secondly, Im having a hard time maintaining enthusiasm for school/college life. Everyday I feel like school is a drag and much like David, I feel that my time could be better spent working as an internet entrepreneur, growing my online businesses, making more money and developing my skills in an online respect.
However, as the question asked I did have a solution. This solution at the moment keeps me sane throughout the working day, and helps me to return home at the end of the day feeling invigorated and not a nervous-wreck after a hectic day at college. So what is this simple solution I hear you ask at your computer? Find aspects of each lesson and minute you spend at school, realise how it will affect your future as an entrepreneur, and enjoy doing it.
OK - I may need to break this down a bit. Say for example you’re in an Economics class (which is by far my most favourite subject) and you’re feeling bored and lethargic. Listen to what your teacher is teaching you about supply and demand, or economies of scale. Realise that this may relate to a time in the future when you’ve got a product and don’t know how much to price it at (look at the equilibrium market price). Then pay attention to what the prof is saying and start to enjoy the lessons.
In theory, this sounds easy. A short and sweet: stop, listen and learn. But we all know that the answer and the practical side is hard. There’s so many distractions at school - your mates sniggering in the back row, the football match going on outside the classroom window, that packet of crisps that you’re dying to eat, and that text message you need to send. But there’s hometime for that. Focus, focus and focus will help you through your day and by thinking ahead to your life as a fulltime ‘preneur, you’ll start to realise how other subjects will help.
English for example is a good one. Whilst you might not feel on top of the world writing a 2000 word essay, when it comes down to it, you’re merely practising your writing skills. This in turn will help communication with buyers, sellers and investors when you’re online and may also help your blogging fingers turn into turbo writers for posts.
David also mentions the social aspect of school. This is very important. School, college and university are breeding grounds for learning the marketing ropes. When you talk to your mates everyday, you’re infact learning the art of confidence which will come in handy when you’re pitching about your new Web 5.0 idea in the future.
Don’t be a recluse and think about your online earnings whilst at school (which is another point mentioned in David’s Book - Young and Hungry: The New Entrepreneur). You’re only at school once in your life so make the most of it by going out, socialising and meeting people that may turn out to be great business contacts in the future.
To conclude - school shouldn’t just be seen as a slog-house. Schools are there to teach, and whilst the history of France may not seem interesting at the time, it may just help you to swing that deal around when you’re chatting with a French contact. Live, listen and learn while you’re at school and you’ll be laughing when you’re in the real world.
I encourage you to enjoy your college experience, because you won’t be this age again and in school. You’re already involved in business online and you’ll have the rest of your life to be a successful netrepreneur. That’s my 2 cents.
Let me add my thoughts and best wishes to Andrew’s comment. There are aspects of school that seem a complete waste of time. frankly, there are aspects of school that _are_ a waste of time … but the problem is, those aspects are different for each person and impossible to know when you are still in school. It’s only years later that you’ll be able to look back and say … wow, now I know.
It’s also true there are some successful entrepreneurs who have not gone to college, or who dropped out part way through. But they are the exception by far. If you think you’ll be the next Bill Gates or Michael Dell … sure, go for it … but it’s not like buying a lottery ticket where your chances of winning are infinitesimal but your risk is also very small. Although you could go back to school at any time in the future, your chances of doing it successfully an=re nearly as vanishingly small as hitting the lottery or picking 8 winner sin the football pool. Once the clock ticks a few more revolutions you’ll find that juggling school plus a job, a house payment a young family, aging parents, etc., etc. make the chances of finishing up that degree ever so much less likely.
I’m a certified old fart so in one sense my advice is worth nothing to the “young and restless”. But on the other hand, it is. There’s a columnist I have enjoyed for years whose been writing about personal computers since nearly before there were personal computers.
http://www.jerrypournelle.com/
His frequent tagline is, “I do these silly things so that you don’t have to”. Well, I’ve done my share of silly things as well … one of the most major being passing up a number of opportunities to get a degree. I’ve been financially successful without one, but I now will never know what more could have happened.
Don’t miss an opportunity which only comes around once.
Hi guys and sorry for the late response - been really busy with school
- how ironic!
Andrew - thanks for the comment. I already feel like I am enjoying school and business at the same time, its just getting the equilibrium and the balance between the 2 is hard, especially when you find it hard to motivate to go to school. Having fun is very important though - the same can be said in the blogging world - otherwise you’ll be facing burnout rapidly.
@ Dave - Thats a very useful insight, and one which I’ve always had from the outset. For me, education is the most important thing that can happen. Maybe it comes from family mindset and background - where a good education is beneficial for a good and financially secure future.
I intend to carry on with full education to University, and after that, who knows. Maybe a life in the corporate world will draw me - but in the end, I do intend to become self employed. It’s all about learning the ropes and getting life experience which you can then use in your own business life.
Thanks for the discussion you guys,
Adnan