01 Dec Graduate Quickly? – Dec 15

Graduate Quickly?

By Jeffry Oscar Sie

It’s rare to find people that really enjoy their studies when they are at university. Most students probably remember the social life more than what they have studied. In fact, many students wished that they could graduate quickly and enter the workplace. Why? Because working is often viewed as the ideal image of a mature adults, as they can earn money for themselves. Thus, many students tend to focus on how to pass the subject and get the certificate as soon as possible. Additionally, there are saying “whatever you study at university does not add much to the experience required at workplace. So, why bother learning so much materials if at the end of the day it is not going to be used?”

The saying is partly true in the early stage of your workforce life as an apprentice/trainee, where mostly you will be trained and expected to adhere to standard company’s procedure. However, as you start to climb the ladder of career, you will soon realise that what you did/did not learn matters. Those who trained their mind to be a critical thinker since they were younger start to distance themselves professionally from those who didn’t.

Many who are already at workplaces wish that they have a spare time to study more, as there are a lot of things that are yet to be learned. Some people started to enrol again in courses that can enrich their knowledge while they have no choice but to work at the same time. This time, the grade won’t matter much as they aimed to absorb the knowledge rather than just “getting a certificate”. Unfortunately, financial resource and time to study is a luxury that many did not have at this stage of life.

The bible reminded us in 1 Corinthians 10:31 – So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Just as David faithfully tends his father’s sheep and protects them from wild animals, he was encouraged through his faith when the time comes for him to face Goliath. Similar with Joseph’s story where as he was humbled through working faithfully as a slave, God enables him to forgive his brothers and being a wise ruler in Egypt.

When we are given an opportunity today as a student, what we do in this period matters. One day when the time comes for us to exercise what we know, we are ready to use it to bring glory to His name. So, we don’t study in a way just to pass the subject, but know that we are allowed to learn and should make the best use of it, for a greater purpose that God has prepared for us in the future.