An understanding of one’s environment and the ability to apply classroom learnings to real life is probably the most important skill a person can learn. Most people complete their careers and retire without ever acquiring this skill. Only a few manage to break this mould, see the problems around them, and come up with solutions.
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Given the changing times, environmental concerns, and percolation of technology in our daily lives, learning needs to stretch beyond classrooms. There is a dire need for visionary leaders who have the foresight to innovate, transform, and visualise solutions to bring about a positive social and economic transformation in society. While grades are important, the most successful students also take an active interest in things going on in the real-world around them. Consider these examples.
Hridanshu Khandelwal joined hands with his classmates in Class 11 to raise funds for the underprivileged. His online NGO ‘Project Solicare’ raised a substantial amount of money for ‘Covid Care’ kits. When in Class 10, Saanvi Singla, who had a love for art and the environment, came with the idea of designing ceramic planters, as an eco-friendly substitute for plastic pots in homes and offices. This shows that students can help make the world a better place, if they are empowered to believe they can make a difference.
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The right time
Now the big question is: when is the right time to educate and inspire these young minds? Parents, teachers and mentors can use age-appropriate books, projects, and research initiatives to raise and nurture future leaders. The gain is two-fold: first, it fosters leaders and thinkers to act in society’s interest and, second, helps students build a well-rounded and holistic profile.
Gaining experience outside one’s field of interest is extremely crucial for success in personal and professional life. Skills such as adaptability, time management, collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, and communication, imbibed through continuous engagement in community service and outreach programmes, are extremely useful while applying for college admissions abroad. Extracurricular activities are a great way to differentiate one’s profile, illustrate college readiness, and demonstrate values and goals. A positive transformation comes when education is used for the development of society - nationally and internationally. For example, a student who aims to be a doctor can volunteer at an orphanage or old age home. An aspiring software engineer can develop a way or volunteer to teach the less fortunate.
The writer is Founder and CEO of Scholarly Global, a foreign education platform.