Embracing the Freedom of Learning

From the very beginning of my schooling experience, I had a strong dislike for it. There were times when my parents had to forcibly bring me to school, as I cried myself to sleep and battled anxiety and depression. The worst moments were Sunday nights and the last week of summer vacation, when the thought of returning to school loomed over me. I would have given anything to remain at home, surrounded by my family, pets, and the tranquil beauty of our garden.

However, it’s important to clarify that I didn’t hate learning itself. In fact, I was a good student and an easy child, I had friends and the teachers liked me. I thrived when I had the opportunity to learn independently. My disdain for school stemmed from the fact that it was mandatory, consuming most of my time and taking me away from my true passions, such as drawing, art, animals, nature, cooking, and reading.

Ironically, I chose education as my career path. At the University of Zurich, I genuinely enjoyed my educational experience, for the first time in my life. This was because I had the freedom to choose my classes, sit beside whomever I wanted, and collaborate with like-minded students who shared my enthusiasm for learning. I thrived. No one forced me to do anything, and my motivation reached an all-time high.

While compulsory schooling may be suitable for some, many children would greatly benefit from the opportunity to pursue their passions instead of being confined to a standardized curriculum. Providing them with freedom and choice will encourage them to become lifelong learners, rather than forcing them to learn against their will. As Plato wisely said, “Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”