Socrates, arguably the greatest philosopher who ever lived, urged people to do the best to learn from their environment. I made great effort to practice what he said, and I can now attest to its importance. College is good. There is a lot – especially in academic and technical skills – that I have learnt from it. However, there is also what it does not teach, because it cannot teach. This is where the school of life comes in.

Outside college, I have learnt many things. However, there is one that trumps them all: perseverance. Life is just not a bed of roses. Even as I sought to study and increase my chances of succeeding in life, I have come to appreciate that everything takes time. Most importantly, it is a constant game of trying on a daily basis (Duckworth 83). Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we do not. I struggled to fund my education, having to do numerous jobs to be able to afford it. Time was always never enough. I had to balance my studying with other personal responsibilities. It was no easy task at all. However, my motto was simple: if I fall, I stand up; if I fail, I try again. Sometimes opportunities did not come as fast, but I held on, toiling as I kept working. I was able to complete my bachelors and master’s degrees.

Without perseverance, it is difficult, if not impossible, to succeed. Talent is just not enough and luck will not distinguish us from those that fail. Many a times, it is the ability to keep pushing and the drive to keep going that makes the difference. I am glad that I was able to learn this outside college – from the school of life.