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No end to learning

Last Updated 30 November 2016, 18:44 IST

Many working professionals opt for higher studies after some years into their careers. Aruna Sankaranarayanan decodes the purpose behind such moves and how they work out in the long run.

Many students, especially those in the throes of exams, look forward to being done with formal education. When I was in Class 10, I remember piling up my books at the end of each exam. As the pile grew higher with each passing exam, my glee also rose correspondingly. No more textbooks, no more tests, no more exams — students often yearn for freedom from academic drudgery. Our attitudes to education are often defined by formal institutes of learning. While some thrive in these set-ups, many view education as a rite of passage that has to be endured.

Yet, there are some who take on the mantle of formal education after taking a break of one or more years. What compels these individuals, who tend to be older than the average student, to return to education? What motivates them to burn the proverbial midnight oil, often while shouldering other responsibilities? Unlike the typical student, individuals who return to education often work at a job or have families to take care of. Do these returning students hold different attitudes to
learning that may inform how we view education?

Rathy Prasad (name changed) is an example of a person who has pursued her varied interests after leaving the formal portals of academia. During her initial student years, she gained a Bachelor’s in Chemistry and a PG Diploma in Export Management.

But after various career changes, she did a number of short-term courses in fields as varied as medical transcription and internal quality auditing. She was motivated to do these courses to enter different professions. But it was a personal issue that egged her on to enrol for a Master’s when her own son was a college student himself.

As Rathy’s husband was diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia, her family had to make a number of lifestyle changes. As Rathy scoured the Internet for more information on the most appropriate diet, she decided to formally qualify herself, so that she could help not only her husband, but others in similar situations. Thus, she enrolled for a Master’s programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in Dietetics & Food Service Management.

According to Rathy, IGNOU offers considerable flexibility for returning students like her. Students are allowed to complete the two-year programme over a span of five years if they wish. Further, as it is a distance education programme, she has ample latitude to study when she has the time. Rathy feels that she is a more mature learner now than when she was a full-time student. Earlier, she didn’t realise the importance of learning, but is now driven to acquire as much knowledge as she can.

Gain perspective
Another returning student, Abhishek Samuel, is glad that he worked for three years after his Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering in Chennai before enrolling for a Master’s in Software Engineering at the National University of Singapore. During his initial working years, he was able to gauge the pulse of the industry and was able to decide on an area of specialisation for his Master’s.

He was, thus, more focused as he had a clear idea of what he wanted to accomplish through his programme. He especially gained from the collaborative learning experiences, which mirror the world of work more closely than traditional exams. He recommends that students work and explore various avenues before zeroing in on a field of specialisation.

Finding yourself
For Ramya Ravichndran, taking a break proved transformative as she changed her field completely, and in the process, discovered her calling. As a young college student, she enrolled for a Bachelor’s in Computer Applications as that was the ‘in thing’ at that time. However, after working for over three years in the corporate world and becoming a mother, she realised that she was more suited to being an educator. Further, as her child had some special needs, she decided to equip herself by doing a degree in Special Education.

Ramya says that unlike her fellow students, who had not taken a break, she was more mature and driven to gain maximally from her programme. Subsequently, she enrolled for a Master’s in Psychology, which she is currently pursuing through correspondence, while also working at a school in Chennai.

The experiences of Rathy, Abhishek and Ramya seem to suggest that returning
students are more excited about learning than the typical college-goer, and push themselves to achieve new heights. Taking a break and working for a few years can provide a new perspective that other students may lack.

Further, people who choose to study with an explicit purpose are more likely to be motivated than the student who views education as something that has to be done. As social critic Neil Postman writes, “There is no surer way to bring an end to schooling than for it to have no end.” Having an aim that goes beyond getting a job can indeed make a palpable difference to what we get out of a formal educational programme.

In today’s fast-changing world where jobs are not as secure or long-lasting as previous generations, it would help if more people can cultivate an attitude that is open to continuous learning for we have to constantly update our skills and knowledge to remain employed. Colleges and universities could also welcome returning students by providing them some flexibility for completing course requirements. Age should also not be a factor during admissions as the thirst for learning can exist in people of all ages.

Also, nowadays, with the ready availability of free online courses, anyone can extend their knowledge in various domains. We need not limit ourselves to formal degree and diploma programmes. By wanting to learn and improve ourselves constantly, we keep our spirits more alert and alive.

As a result, we not only become more productive and engaged, but also find our work more fulfilling. The exemplary educator, John Dewey, pithily sums it up when he says, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

(The author is director, PRAYATNA, Bengaluru)

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(Published 30 November 2016, 18:44 IST)

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