Students who are fortunate enough to have an opportunity for an education value the resources available to them. photo by Mikey Cooper
In a world where 16% of people globally don’t have access to an education, the power of learning is overlooked.
Growing up, I always heard people talk about education like it was something guaranteed or something that wasn’t worth gratitude. But the more I learned about the world, the more I realized how untrue that idea actually is. I wanted to write this article because I’ve seen how differently people experience school depending on where they live, what their circumstances at home are, or what opportunities they are given. Before researching, the only perspective I had about education was things I saw in my day to day life. Digging deeper showed me that many students never get the same chance. That pushed me to look closer at what education really means and why it matters far beyond grades and classrooms.
Education isn’t just about the grades, tests, or sitting in class for hours every day. It’s about the opportunity and the chance to learn, grow, and build a future. It is about learning to use your voice to speak out for those who don’t have the resources to. I have noticed that the ability to learn in a classroom is (often? sometimes?) taken for granted in our society.I have seen students wake up, rush to school, complain about homework, and count down the days until summer break. But not everyone in the world gets the same privileges.
In places where education is accessible, far too many still slip through the cracks. Recent national studies, like the National Center for Education statistics, have shown that thousands of young people between 16 and 24 still leave school without a diploma each year, with dropout rates among minority communities. Research in 2022 showed that dropout rates were nearly 10% among Native American youth and just under 8% among Hispanic students. These figures reflect that staying in school is not equally achievable for all students, even in a country where education is supposed to be guaranteed.
In many places, there are children who would give anything just to sit in a classroom. Some have to work to help their families, others live too far from schools, or face dangers that make learning in a classroom impossible. For them, education isn’t boring, it’s frankly a dream. Recent reporting from the United Nations Children’s Fund speaks about this reality, noting that millions of children around the world are at risk of losing access to basic schooling, especially in regions affected by conflict, poverty, or a humanitarian crisis. The article explains that when education systems lose funding or become unsafe, children become vulnerable to child labor, exploitation, and losing their only chance to have the kind of stable future that they dream. Even in countries where education is a right, societal expectations can also have an impact on students trying to graduate from school. In the same study, male students were found to be more likely to drop out than female students overall, a pattern that highlights how social and economic pressures can pull young people away from classrooms before they ever reach their potential.
Education gives more than knowledge; it gives power, the power to think freely, to build something out of nothing, to change a life completely. It’s not just about getting into college or earning a paycheck, it’s about becoming someone who can make a difference. In my opinion, a lot of students treat school as a chore, and something that has to be survived instead of something that can shape their future.
And for that reason I try to not take my education for granted. I remind myself that I’m lucky to even have the chance to learn, especially when so many kids would do anything to be in my place. Every student who can learn should choose to. Not just for themselves, but for those who wish they could. Studying might not always feel important at the moment. Homework piles up, exams feel endless, and sometimes it seems like the effort doesn’t pay off. But education opens doors that would otherwise stay closed. It allows someone to pursue their career, be independent both financially and socially, and make decisions with confidence. Choosing to study means choosing a better future, one earned through persistence and dedication.
Students should study not just for good grades, but to understand the world. Knowledge builds empathy, curiosity, and the strength to think for yourself and speak up when it matters. Education gives people the courage to question what’s wrong and the wisdom to help make things right.
Every student can turn learning into something meaningful. Choosing to study instead of giving up is its own kind of strength. Knowledge is power because it breaks limits, opens possibilities, and fuels change. It creates doctors, teachers, lawyers, and voices that fight for justice. An educated mind can’t be easily fooled; it questions, challenges, and inspires. That’s why education matters, not just for success, but for independence, hope, and the ability to change the world. So my advice to my peers is to try in school, persevere, and fight for an education.
