The Future Of Education

For those that were thinking about or currently going through a tertiary level education, this article is for you. With COVID-19 having a detrimental effect on all types of industrial sectors, education and especially higher education is no different.

Universities across the world are re-looking at the ways they can remain relevant to today's and tomorrow's generation of learners.

From lowering costs or trying to integrate a digital element within the overall experience but after listening to several interviews with industry participants and experts, there really seems to be one factor that 'can't be replaced' and that is the 'Campus Experience'

This refers to the social gatherings, societies, organisations, and connections that happen naturally on campus and usually results in students finding passions and making friendships across their time there.

I am of the camp that is starting to challenge the dominance of universities as a mandatory gate that all adults need to pass in order to have a successful career and profession.

Here are a couple reasons why. Rise Of Digital Education

Something that has been clear is that many of today's education can be accessed, for a fee or for free, through digital mediums and platforms.

Whether it be from industry experts such as Facebook & Google that teaches IT and Marketing to dedicated educational platforms such as Coursera, education has been transformed to be tailored to fit your needs. Unless it is either a profession that needs technical skills such as medicine or you just know what you want to do then it is more important to figure out what you want to do in your life.

You can try several of these online courses to test what gives you happiness and challenge to learn and to practice.

If you are 'supposed' to apply to universities, take a second and be honest with yourself and if you need more time to figure out want you want then take the time.

Don't just do a degree because of social and familial pressures tell you to.

Remove Educational Debt With university being seen as a 'mandatory option' coupled with the fact that education costs have consistent risen out of the grasps of many families, taking on debt through loans has been accepted as a formality.

Whether private through a bank or public through PTPTN, debt is debt. It is something that can drag your life by taking away from your earnings through monthly payments.

When I am told that there is something I must do but yet I cannot afford and those same people offer me loans, something is wrong.

You could have a cheaper and well-thought out education when you know what you want to do.

You can apply for short but effective courses to give you the knowledge you need without busting the bank.

Create Your Own 'Campus Experience' Based upon my experience, this is probably the greatest attraction of a university. The chance to see and meet people from all kinds of backgrounds and make friends that could last a lifetime is a strong pull.

You can easily tryout new hobbies because of the wealth of committees and societies available.

But isn't this something you could easily do without the need of a campus? Hobbies don't just exist in universities, people have setup their own clubs to pursue those very same hobbies.

That same bravery and encouragement is needed to join anything new, not just a university club.

COVID-19's Lasting Impact The most profound challenge to the current education system is the current pandemic that is changing the world as we know it.

It it changing the way society behaves and punishes those who don't adapt to the times.

This means that traditional lectures and seminars will become more challenging to host due to the packed halls and rooms.

Campus' need to practice social distancing to adhere to government policies.

Less people in universities means either a downsizing and increase in prices as supply is reduced but demand is increased.

Look to other ways to get the education you need that provides value in the market as well as helps you grow as an individual.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I have had an tertiary education at a UK University and I generally enjoyed my time there but I don't practice the hard knowledge within the profession I am doing.