Seven Reasons to Continue Your Education

# 1: The Lord knows you should.

Today’s job market is hard to get into. It’s competitive. So you’ll need to keep up with changing technology. Also, by going to school, you’ll be able to contribute more to the Lord’s Church with your time, skills, and offerings. Schooling can help fulfill the Lord’s purposes for your life, your marriage, and your children’s lives. It also helps you better serve the community and the world.

# 2: You are a child of God with talents from before you were born.

You should develop the talents you came to Earth with. Use your patriarchal blessing to connect your past, present and future. Live the commandments, pray, and think about what your gifts are.
Your Patriarchal Blessing and Your Need for More School
Prayerfully read and think about your patriarchal blessing. What should you do in school and in work? Write down clues you find:

#3: Make a difference.

The most successful people are often the ones who want to make a difference for others. Any honest work fits.
How do you want to make the lives of others better? Which ways mean the most to you? Later when you choose career options, come back and look at your list again.

# 4: You’re probably not living up to your potential.

You need new opportunities to become what Heavenly Father knows you can be. School can help give that to you.
What do you want your future to look like? What kind (and how much) school do you need to make that happen?
Imagine your life in the future without more school but at the same job you have now. What things in your personal, family and church life will be held back?
Imagine the future you want. How will reaching your potential help your family reach theirs? Think about sharing your feelings with family or a close friend.

Situation    My Life, My Family’s Life, and My Church Work
Life in 10 years with no more school

Life in 10 years after more schooling

#5: Personal Growth and Self-Respect.

When you respect who you are and what you’re becoming, you’ll go farther in every area of life. The Light of Christ and the Gift of the Holy Ghost help us feel good when we have righteous desires, like wanting to help others.
But we lose self respect when we compare ourselves to others. We gain self respect when we compare ourselves to what the Lord expects. Do better and go faster with the right kind of comparing. You’ll find the “real you.”
What kind of education or training would I need to get the self-respect I want?

# 6: The New World of Work

Jobs today require more preparation than ever. The competition is tough. The best jobs require more school and often that workers keep learning. A good wage requires that. Getting raises and promotions used to come from being at a company long enough. Now they go to the person with the proper education.

#7: Other Benefits

What you do away from work is just as important as your job. Schooling is like a job. If you have outside activities, you’ll probably do better in school. This is one reason why applications ask for a list of your other activities.
Activities away from work can make your life at work better. Your school plan needs to consider all areas of your life. As you decide what education you need, think about every area of your life. Keep them in balance so you can have long-term success.
How will more school help me to have a good balance in my life? Will it give me and my family opportunities and experiences I want for us?