Learning Outside the Classroom: Building Skills for Life

By Umoru Sekinah Oshiorumetse, Ex-student, Auchi, Edo State.

Age: 17

Beyond the classroom, individuals can develop essential life skills and build meaningful relationships. This, in turn, helps them discover their passion, achieve personal growth, and attain success.

A traditional classroom provides a structured environment with the necessary infrastructure for learning. However, it often focuses primarily on theoretical knowledge, following a specific syllabus. It emphasizes rote memorization and assessment tests, but this alone is not enough to prepare individuals for the complexities of the real world.

“Develop a passion for learning; if you do, you would never cease to grow.” Students should be encouraged to read beyond their class materials. This will prepare them ahead of time and make them stand out. Individuals should learn beyond the scheme of work, that is, they should pursue broad-based learning and not only depend on their field. For instance, an art student can benefit from learning about healthy habits and applying them to daily life.

It is worth noting that students can leverage the digital world for self-improvement. They can apply for online courses and tutorials to boost their intelligence. Video conferencing tools should be utilized to connect students, peers, mentors, and experts from all over the world.

Individuals should also be encouraged to use educational apps, which make learning interactive and engaging. Teachers, parents, and society should advise students to search online for educational and informative content.

To balance theoretical knowledge with practical, real-life experience, schools should incorporate extracurricular activities in their schedules. For instance, activities such as sports, cultural days, career days, excursions, and gaming periods can be highly beneficial. These facilitate student interaction and knowledge sharing.

Although traditional classroom learning provides a foundation, experiences and lessons beyond the classroom truly prepare individuals for success. Such experiences help individuals develop essential life skills like teamwork, goal setting, and time management.

In this ever-changing world, self-assessment and reflection are vital for adaptability. Self-assessment and reflection involve transforming experiences into lessons and understanding what works best for you. This skill enhances learning, improves decision-making, and increases self-awareness. In turn, it improves goal setting and prepares individuals for future challenges.

“The world is a book, and those who don’t explore read only one page.” Experiences beyond the classroom enrich our understanding of the world.

Moreover, learning beyond the classroom has numerous benefits, including the development of good moral habits and a healthy lifestyle. It also enhances self-confidence and the ability to express opinions and protect individual rights, ultimately leading to more meaningful relationships.

Self-improvement, financial stability, and financial intelligence are some of the benefits of learning beyond the classroom. Personalized communication, for instance, is key to building strong relationships with clients and understanding their uniqueness. This is not thoroughly taught in schools but is acquired through real-life experiences.

Playing games can significantly enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills in an engaging manner. Additionally, research suggests that children who assist their parents in businesses develop strong arithmetic skills and excellent academic performance.

Emotional intelligence—the ability to recognize and understand the emotions of ourselves and others, and to use this awareness to guide our thoughts and behavior—is a very important social skill not fully taught in traditional classrooms.

Mentorship also improves students’ confidence and decision-making beyond academic settings. Mentors or role models inspire and motivate with their achievements and character. Role models shape self-aware individuals by providing personalized guidance and imparting essential skills. Students should be encouraged to find role models who positively impact their lives.

Career exploration is another significant lesson learned beyond the classroom. Learning a vocational skill helps individuals recognize their passions. For instance, I once worked in a restaurant, and the experience taught me that caring for consumers is crucial for the growth of any business. This developed my personal and professional skills.

In conclusion, learning beyond the classroom is essential for individuals to develop valuable skills, knowledge, and character. By embracing diverse experiences, seeking mentorship, and cultivating self-awareness, individuals can unlock their full potential and achieve personal and professional growth. As the world continues to evolve, it is crucial that we prioritize holistic learning and equip ourselves with the skills necessary to succeed. Ultimately, the lessons we learn beyond the classroom will shape us into well-rounded individuals, prepared to make a positive impact in the world. The world will be a better place when individuals learn beyond the classroom.