All over the world, schools have been forced to close their doors to in-person lessons as the pandemic worsens. This means that school teachers and professors are forced to move to different means of conducting classes like e-learning and video conferencing. However, while some may be happy about this as "school's out", others are having huge disagreements when finances come into the picture.
If you're attending a private school or university in more "premium" areas, my guess would be that most people would be glad as they do not have to attend class for the rest of the semester and that they can go home and rest as well as attend recorded lectures at their leisure (which I am guilty of). However, the flip side of that is many students across the world are unhappy. The reason for that (in case you haven't realized) is the question of "where are my finances allocated if not for school infrastructure?" or "am I getting my money's worth now that teachers aren't doing 100% of their job?" However, here's my argument.
First, let's lay some background context before I blabber on. I would say that I am from a rather fortunate family and that finances are not my first worry when it comes to education. Instead, it is the attainment of knowledge and a degree and a job over financial value. I see what I can in return of an investment in the long-run rather than a short-term view of how "worth it" my current investment is.
Moving on, I would say that this does not affect me much. If ever, I find it sufficient. As a student, I dread my 8am class so much because I have to get up at 6 in the morning to prepare and by the time I get home, I am seriously drained. and the fact that I have classes that go all the way up to 8.30 pm means that my mind is not as efficient as it should be. With online lectures being uploaded and recorded because some students have gone back to their homes which may be in a different time-zone, I am able to learn at my own pace and optimum efficiency while getting assignments done with time to spare. It just makes me think clearly.
My point is, with a more flexible schedule and the ability for me to learn effectively and at my own pace, I learn more with a shorter span of time. This leads to me acquiring the right amount of knowledge I need to complete my assignments, sit for online exams, and get the grades I need. Which in the long-run, allows me to get a higher paying job which I have the flexibility in pursuing factoring in my interest and potential rather than doing worse and getting stuck at a dead end job. That is my long-term ROI.
I know I am not in the position to understand the importance of short-term investments but I do get the perspective of it when I put my feet in the shoes of some of my buddies. But those are just my thoughts on it. What do you think? let me know be it in the comments below, through an email, or the chat box. Do sign-up to stay up to date ;)
Cheers and take care from the Sean The G Team!
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