“Life is not taught in classrooms,” so declared Itoro Ekaiyah after a work-related life transforming experience. To Albert Einstein, “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” Let’s reflect on life lessons as not resident in the four walls of classrooms.
Do you know that while we spend years within the structured confines of classrooms, diligently absorbing facts, theories, and formulas, for all its undeniable value, the profound truth remains: life itself is not taught in a classroom? The most impactful lessons, the ones that truly shape our character, challenge our ideologies, and test our resilience, are often found far beyond textbooks and lectures. They are etched into us through experience, often painful or challenging, and rarely come with a neatly graded rubric. For instance, empathy is cultivated through witnessing hardship, offering a hand, and understanding diverse perspectives in real-world interactions. Similarly, resilience isn’t a topic on a syllabus; it’s built in the aftermath of failure, the courage to try again when everything points to giving up. Consider the intricacies of human relationships. No amount of sociological theory can fully prepare you for the complexities of navigating friendships, family dynamics, or romantic partnerships. These require constant learning, negotiation, forgiveness, and the sometimes-bitter taste of disappointment. What about the intuitive understanding of risk, the discipline of saving, and the wisdom to learn from mistakes? These are not walled classroom lessons.
So, enhance your capacity to learn in the wallless classroom of life. Know that self-discovery is an inherently personal journey that unfolds outside institutional walls but offers more lessons than laboratory analysis or academic research works. Be conscious that understanding your true passions, your strengths, and your limitations comes from experimenting, exploring, and sometimes stumbling. It’s about facing your fears, embracing discomfort, and stepping into the unknown – actions that rarely happen in a controlled classroom environment. Be conscious that while formal education provides an essential foundation of knowledge and critical thinking, it’s merely a launching pad. The true curriculum of life is vast, unscripted, unregulated, and constantly evolving. It demands adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the willingness to learn from every triumph and setback.
As you step out, don’t blindly navigate the world; remember that the greatest teachers are often your own experiences, and the most valuable lessons are those you discover when you step outside the classroom and embrace the unpredictable journey of life itself.
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Prof. (Engr.) Esang Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a COREN-registed chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, World Safety Organization Ambassador, recognized Environmental Ambassador, marriage counsellor, youth mentor, reviewer for some international research journals and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He is a manager in the oil and gas industry and was recognized by Highstone Global University, USA as the occupational health and safety personality of 2024. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
