Does Where You Study Shape Who You Become?
This is a topic that sparks debate and I also believe the kind of school that one attends influences their life in many ways. School isn't just limited to academic learning; it offers a alot of opportunities to network, build social networks, opportunities to undergo mentorship and learn life in different ways.
The kind of school one attends influences their mindset, shapes their mindset about life. The environment influences our mindset even more than expected.
This doesn't mean that graduating from a prestigious university guarantees success, many other factors contribute to being successful.
I agree with the fact that not all schools offer the same quality of teaching. They might have same curriculum, but the quality of teaching will always be different and unique.
While some have the best facilities, they have lecturers who are well experienced and know the consequences of corruption, comfortable classrooms and hostels, and many other qualities that helps students learn at ease.
For those who attended state universities, we can relate the difference in teaching qualities. Most of us studied courses on our own to pass examinations, there was no proper teaching from a lecturer or even a good place for experiments.
I believe those who are privileged to attend top private universities learnt different. The few friends I have met who studied in private universities and even studied outside my country see life differently, build connections with like minded people, friends who help support their dreams and give deserving connections.
The fact is that good quality education is accessible by all of us now. With the help of ChatGPT, online courses, YouTube, digital library and many other educational platforms, students can always do well academically. Personal efforts matter alot, especially in a world where finding a job is really competitive. Accessibility to the best knowledge is not really a problem due to technology, all it takes is determination, effort, discipline and hardship.
We cannot undermine the effort, discipline and determination most people put to become successful. There are many people who didn't get privilege of studying in the best universities, but they still found their way to success. I have read autobiographies by great people and most of them never had the privilege of attending one of the best schools, but with determination and effort they succeeded greatly. The kind of school attended isn't an excuse to not succeed.
Even schooling in the best doesn't always guarantee success. I once watched a video of a drug addict who had the best education, studied in one of the best universities and still got influenced by the influential friends that most of us wished we were privileged to have for positive reasons.I believe personal efforts play a major role, one could still be amongst the best and find it difficult to succeed.
I believe attending a prestigious school can open easily. People expect the best when a C.V is coming from a prestigious university, more than one coming from a university with less prestige.
Alumni Network can fix you in offices you never expected to be, because your classmates and lecturers have the connection to place you there. Connection plays a crucial role in job searching
I believe some employers consider the reputation of school attended. I believe some focus on the kind of school attended and give little privilege to that too, but for some organizations, it's competence, experience and the ability to solve problems.
If I could go back in time, I would still attend the same university, because my school reputation wasn't so bad, there is a long history of successful people in the same school. Maybe I would have studied a different course. Not just focus on academic growth but social interactions and connections, because I learnt the importance of social networking quite late.
Ultimately, the name of a school can create that opportunity and open doors, no doubt, but we can't neglect the fact that skill, intelligence, competence, problem solving skills will always guarantee long term success in career.