My blog focuses on General Education and Black History. Many ethnic groups have made contributions to society. Black History has been a key component of the world as we know it. The following contributed post is entitled, How Black History Has Shaped Our World.
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Black history is not a side note in the story of society. It is woven into the foundations of law, culture, politics, business, and everyday life. Too often, though, it gets reduced to a handful of famous names or a single month on the calendar. The truth is far richer and far more complex. It is a history shaped by struggle, courage, innovation, leadership, and an ongoing push for fairness and equality.
When you look at history through a legal lens, you begin to see just how much has changed over time. Laws that once excluded and discriminated have been challenged and overturned. Courtrooms that once denied opportunity have slowly opened their doors wider. None of that progress happened by accident. It happened because individuals and communities demanded justice, stood firm in the face of resistance, and worked tirelessly to reshape the systems around them.
Milestones in Black history are not just symbolic moments. They represent real shifts in power, access, and representation. Each breakthrough builds on the ones that came before it, creating momentum that carries forward into future generations.
This infographic highlights key moments and achievements that reflect that journey. By laying them out clearly and visually, it helps connect the dots between past and present. Take a moment to explore it below and see how these defining moments continue to shape the world we live in today.
Who is black and who isn’t? Who decides? And what can you tell about a person by the way they communicate and conduct themselves? “Why do you use those big words all the time Anwar?” I wanted to revisit my concept of ‘Big Words’ for Black History Month 2026. My initial offerings for The Examiner and The Big Words Blog Site were an essay highlighting a question I got in middle school regarding my verbal usage of the English language. It is a true story, and it was a foundational experience in my life. It was one of the first lessons in social class and understanding that there are different tribes in what we call Black America. In this instance, the lesson was there were homes where education and intellectual curiosity were encouraged and there were homes where they weren’t. This form of nurturing also dictated the manner in which many of our ‘kinfolk’ related to one another and which doors opened and closed for us later in life, personally and professionally.
How We Sound to Others Matters
“Your father sounds like he’s from BOSTON, not New York City!” My father and his second wife had an interesting relationship. They weren’t equally yoked in terms of education and that manifested in certain ways that surprised me. Her writing skills, or lack thereof, was off-putting to him as they had different levels of education. He had his master’s degree and she didn’t finish college. My stepmother likewise joked often that Dad talked like he was from Boston and not his native New York City. She always laughed hard when she told this joke which tickled me as well when she told it. I likewise enjoyed imitating my father’s deliberate, methodical and particular speech with his signature mannerisms. It always made my brother laugh as well.
There are, in fact, Boston and New York accents for most of the residents of those urban areas. There is also a Washington DC-Maryland accent which is most notably spoken by the native black residents. There is also a Canadian accent if you ever get to meet people from southern Ontario like I have. I’m saying this to say that I think that my stepmother wasn’t referring to the Boston accent per se, but instead, my father’s very specific diction and proper usage of words. Again, I laugh too when she tells the story because I know exactly to what she’s referring.
Reflections on Big Words, Black History and Social Class
Going back to the concept of Big Words and Black History Month, again being asked why I used big words in elementary school was a foundational experience for me. It is also one that has impacted my entire life as it is a common experience in Black America, one depicted in movies like Glory where Denzel Washington’s character, Trip, mocked the late Andre Braugher’s character, Thomas, because he could read and speak the ‘King’s English’. It was an early experience demonstrating that we form opinions of one another by how we talk, which is another part of the legacy of Black History.
My mother’s family were jokingly considered to be like the Kennedy family in the Jasper Parrish Projects in Buffalo where they grew up because my grandmother encouraged education, and they all exuded a certain amount of class. Throughout my life, I’ve been told that I’m proper, bougie and, in some instances, I’ve been told that I seem like the type of guy who likes to live around white people. Similar things have been said to me regarding liking white women. The comments surprised me at the time, but now I get it and am at peace with it. Regarding the last two assumptions, I think I like being and going where I’m accepted and celebrated regardless of color.
Those of us who pursued higher education also note how lesser educated people speak, and thus, it’s a door that swings both ways. The same goes for how we write. As with many parts of life, you can’t judge a book by looking at the cover as they say, and sometimes how a person communicates and carries themselves tells you some things about them, but it doesn’t tell you everything about them.
Closing Thoughts
I did not want to make this essay too long. I’m in awe sometimes though at how that conversation from middle school has continued and translated into my adult world. How about you? Have you experienced something like this in your own life regardless of your level of education or if you’re from a different ethnic group? Let me know in the comments section of this blog post and thank you for reading this.
The Engineers: A Western New York Basketball Story Part One is available in the eBook, Hardcover and Paperback Editions
Writing a book was the genesis of my blogging and becoming a video content creator. I have published part one of my book project entitled, The Engineers: A Western New York Basketball Story. It is currently available on Amazon in eBook, hardcover, and paperback formats. The paperback format is available on IngramSpark, and signed hardcover and paperback copies on my online store entitled Big Words Authors via credit payment. Payment using Cash App, PayPal, Venmo and Zelle is also available. Reach out to me for further details. Finally visit the page discussing the book. Please consider visiting it to learn more about the project and see promotional content I’ve created surrounding the project.
My blog focuses on Career Discussions and General Education. The Healthcare sector is one that will likely never go away. Once you’re in though, you want to continue advancing. The following contributed post is entitled, Progressing your Career within the Healthcare Sector.
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Do you feel as though your career has stagnated over the years? Maybe you feel as though you aren’t getting anywhere, but you want to find out the reason why, so you can make a positive change. Either way, this guide will show you what steps you can take to try to make sure that you are getting the result you want out of your job.
The first thing you need to do is try to find a mentor who can talk you through the process. Finding a mentor in any sector might not be an easy task, but at the end of the day, if you can shadow them, then you will be able to go through their daily tasks as well as find out what the job entails. You can also find out if you believe you are a good fit for the role, which is essential. It can also help you to answer several questions about yourself and what you might be looking for in a role. Mentors are there to support you and all of your career endeavors, so relying on them is one of the best things you can do.
Get Yourself Out There
Getting yourself out there is so important. Whether you want to try and get an internal promotion or whether you want to try and get an offer from another facility, you need to work to try and get yourself out there so you can make the situation you are in. Getting yourself out there can be hard, but if you can take the time to go through everything, this will make it easier for you to get the result you need.
Undertake Training
Another thing you need to do is try to undertake training, if you can. Getting a ms public health online is one of the best things you can do if you want to get somewhere. This will open up a lot of doors for you, and it will also allow you to carry on working the job you have now, so you don’t have to stop earning, and you can attend university. Things like this can help you progress, and you would be surprised at how much it could help you to not only move forward, but also do so at a pace that reflects higher earnings at a later date. If you are unsure as to which qualification you should undertake, then one thing you can do is go through all of the roles you would love to work in, and then assess the career requirements for those roles. If you can do this, then you will see a notable improvement in your career potential, and you will also find it much easier to feel comfortable and content in the roles you are pursuing.
So as you can see, progressing within the healthcare sector is relatively easy to do, and if you follow this guide, you will find it easier to move forward with confidence.
My blog focuses on General Education and Technology. Laptop computers are like any tool in the tool drawer. They can be valuable if put to good use, or they can be used for less productive things. The following contributed post is entitled, Is Your Laptop Helping You Study or Just Holding You Back?
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For many students, a laptop feels like the single most important tool when it comes to studying, but it can be both a blessing and a burden. It holds notes, textbooks, apps, and everything that makes learning easier, but it’s also the same device that hosts streaming platforms, social media, and endless distractions.
Finding balance is the real challenge, and it’s one that almost every student faces at some point. The question isn’t just about whether a laptop is necessary, but whether it’s being used in a way that actually supports learning rather than slowing it down.
Laptops make studying more accessible than ever before. Instead of carrying heavy books and stacks of papers, students can have everything organized in one lightweight device. Having access to research tools, writing software, and online learning platforms saves time and makes learning feel more connected as well.
There’s also the advantage of mobility. With a laptop, you can study from a library, cafe, or even a park, making it easier to find laptop-friendly places that encourage focus. This flexibility helps turn any space into a temporary study spot without losing access to important materials.
The challenges of staying focused
While laptops provide all the tools needed to succeed, they also carry endless temptations that can interfere with progress. Notifications, social media feeds, and entertainment are always only a click away, and without discipline, it’s easy to lose track of time. This can lead to late nights spent scrolling instead of finishing assignments.
One way to reduce distractions is to create boundaries. Turning off notifications, using website blockers, or even keeping a separate browser just for study tasks can make a big difference. These small adjustments help keep focus on the work that actually matters.
Making the most of study environments
The place where someone studies can be just as important as the laptop itself. A quiet, well-lit space can encourage focus, while a noisy or crowded area can make it harder to concentrate.
This becomes even more important especially if you’re studying abroad, since the environment is often unfamiliar. Taking the time to explore different study locations can help find the ones that feel comfortable and supportive of good habits. When the setting feels right, studying on a laptop becomes far more productive.
Finding balance in digital study habits
The goal isn’t to avoid laptops but to use them wisely. A balanced approach means treating the device as a tool rather than a distraction. Having clear study times, sticking to schedules, and recognizing when it’s time for a break can keep burnout away while keeping productivity high.
It’s also helpful to remember that laptops don’t have to replace traditional methods completely. Mixing in handwritten notes or reading from a printed book can provide variety and reduce the temptation of being glued to a screen for hours.
A laptop can either help or hinder, depending on how it’s used. By choosing supportive study environments and creating boundaries against distractions, you can make your laptop a powerful tool for learning instead of letting it stand in the way of progress.
My blog focuses on Career Discussions and General Education. One skill many professionals have to learn is that of presentation. Several elements must be pulled together to master this skill. The following contributed post is entitled, Top Tips For Creating An Engaging And Informative Presentation.
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Presentations are an effective way of providing information to those who are in attendance. Whether it’s an internal meeting that provides updates on the finances for the business, or you’re pitching a new product or service to a client, it’s important that the presentation is effective.
Whether it’s knowing your audience, providing a clear structure, or just engaging with your meeting attendees with eye contact. Here are some top tips for creating an engaging and informative presentation.
First and foremost, before you spend your time structuring and writing out the content required for the presentation, you should know who your audience is going to be. It could be an internal team within your department or another department team that you’re addressing.
There will be occasions where you may have to give a presentation or talk to hundreds of people at an event, for example.
Knowing your audience is helpful because it will give you a better idea of what sort of content your audience will engage with more.
Have a clear structure
A clear structure is useful to establish, especially when you’re looking to create a presentation that’s engaging and the right length.
With a clear structure, you can outline everything that you’ll need in order to get the presentation right, without missing out any key details in between.
By having a structure in place, you’ll have a presentation that flows better and that hits every point in the right way.
Create plenty of visuals
Visuals are a good way to help create an engaged and informative presentation. No one really wants to see slide after slide of text, so it’s worth incorporating a helpful tool like Chronicle to help with presentation creation.
The more visuals you can incorporate into the slide, the better. By doing so, you’re going to help make the presentation more enjoyable and less likely to have your audience switch off by the third slide.
Add some humor and a personal touch
Humor and a personal touch to your presentation can go a long way in helping make the presentation interesting. You could also look at injecting a bit of storytelling here and there, too.
With a bit of humor, you can transform what would otherwise be a boring topic into something enjoyable. That personal touch can make it a more memorable presentation all around, so be sure to add this to it too.
Keep it to the right length
The length of the presentation is certainly crucial to get right, especially when it comes to presentations that have a lot of information and ground to cover. While you may have a lot of information to get through, it’s good to try and condense the information in order to help ensure the presentation is both informative and not sleep-inducing.
Creating an engaging presentation is easy enough to do when you’ve got the right tools and know-how to do it. Try to get creative with your presentations so that they’re both visually appealing and sound like something you’d want to listen to yourself.
My blog focuses on General Education. Some fortunate students get the experience of studying abroad. Before starting this adventure though, there are specific things to account for before you go. The following contributed post is entitled, From Acceptance to Arrival: A Complete Pre-Departure Checklist for Study Abroad.
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The email arrives. You’ve been accepted. Cue the screaming, the happy tears, the calls to grandma. But once the celebration dies down, reality peeks in. You’re not just going on holiday—you’re moving across borders. For months. Maybe years.
So, how do you get from “I got in!” to “I live here now”? You plan. But not just with lists and luggage. You prepare your life for this shift, piece by piece. Here’s how to do it properly without losing your mind—or your passport.
1. Lock In Your Paper Trail
Before anything else, gather your official documents. Not copies. Originals. You’ll need:
Acceptance letter
Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay)
Student visa
Vaccination records
Transcripts
Birth certificate (sometimes)
Now, make at least three copies of everything—digital and hard. Store one set in your carry-on, one in your checked luggage, and one back home with someone reliable. This sounds simple until you’re in a foreign immigration office, and someone asks for “the blue stamped copy you left on the kitchen table.”
2. Get Smart with Your Finances
You’re not just budgeting for books and noodles. Think rent, travel, emergencies, and—this one’s often missed—bank fees. Call your bank and ask: Will your card work abroad? What are the withdrawal limits? What about currency conversion fees?
Even better, open an international student bank account once you arrive. Many countries offer them, and they’re built to make your life easier.
And while you’re at it—set up alerts. You want to know if your card’s being used five countries away while you’re asleep in your dorm.
3. Secure Housing That Doesn’t Look Like a Crime Documentary
Photos lie. So before you sign anything, do your digging. Contact student forums, local groups, or even your university’s housing office. If possible, book short-term accommodation for your first week and hunt in person once you arrive.
It gives you time to breathe. And to avoid moving in next to that midnight saxophone player who practices scales on repeat.
4. Health First: Don’t Skip This Step
It’s not just about packing your vitamins. Every country has its own healthcare system—and access rules. This is where International student insurance becomes your safety net. A good plan doesn’t just tick a box for your visa; it covers real needs: emergency visits, prescriptions, and mental health services.
No one plans to get sick while figuring out how to order food in another language. But when it happens, you’ll be glad you didn’t cut corners here.
5. Pack Your Comfort Zone (Strategically)
Yes, bring your essentials—chargers, clothes, adapters—but don’t underestimate emotional logistics. Bring three things that make you feel at home. A photo, a favourite hoodie, your mom’s handwritten recipe. It’ll mean more than you think when culture shock creeps in. And no, you don’t need five pairs of shoes. You need space for souvenirs, spontaneous markets, and growth.
6. Say the Right Goodbyes
Before you jet off, take time to sit with people you love. Don’t let the chaos of packing erase the beauty of leaving well. These moments will ground you when homesickness hits.
Final Boarding Call
Studying abroad isn’t just about academia. It’s about stretching yourself in every direction. From paperwork to insurance to saying goodbye, every pre-departure step matters. It’s not just preparation—it’s transformation. And that journey begins long before your plane takes off.
My blog focuses on General Education. An area that is receiving a lot of interest today is education. Many are looking at the role that education plays in shaping tomorrow’s leaders. The following contributed post is entitled, Building a Brighter Future: The Role of Education in Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders.
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Education plays an incredibly important and influential role for students who are hopefully going to go on and become tomorrow’s leaders.
Building a brighter future for all children is something that many of us could hope for, and it’s what helps to keep the world spinning, too. But how important is education? What role does it play in helping nurture the future leaders in business?
With education, it can be a real help when it comes to improving any leadership qualities or skills that can be nurtured in an individual. Schools and educational institutions play a critical role in developing this skill, in particular, as well as adaptability, communication, and resilience.
Not only that, but the effort to make ethical decisions is also something that’s learnt through education.
While not everyone will be a leader, there are some who will still require that leadership attitude to take the lead in other aspects of life, beyond just the workplace.
Develops a global perspective
Being able to develop a global perspective is definitely something that can help an individual to become more rounded, more level-headed when it comes to leadership.
Education helps to expose students to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives. It helps to foster global citizenship and an understanding that more exists beyond just the four walls of their home or home country, for that matter.
Having a global perspective is more important and valuable than most people would consider.
Promotes lifelong learning
Education helps to equip individuals with the skills and motivation they need to continuously learn and adapt to ever-changing demands that come from the workforce. Regardless of what role they step into or the company they join, they will always be required to learn, to adapt, and to make changes to avoid the mistakes that come from simply being human.
That lifelong learning trait is one that can be really helpful to have, in more ways than one.
Cultivates ethical awareness and social responsibility
Education helps to instill many values. It’s one that can do a lot more than just teach the individual a lesson on Algebra or the Great Depression of 1929.
With education it helps to instill important values, like social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and integrity. It prepares students to become responsible beyond just their own lives. As global citizens, we all have a role to play in this life, and doing our best in that role is helped with education from an early age.
Joining somewhere like KIS International School can be a great opportunity to cultivate this awareness.
Helps with embracing innovation and technology
Embracing innovation and technology is something that education should include, especially within teaching methods. The future of work has changed dramatically over the years, and technology continues to be ever-present.
Students should be prepared for whatever is to come with technology and not shy away from its potential.
When building a brighter future, education plays a highly important part to play and is something that should certainly be encouraged regardless of interest or accessibility.
My blog focuses on General Education and Entertainment/New Talent. Music is potentially the most rewarding artform there is, and a very powerful one. At some point you have to specialize with one area, but which one should it be? The following contributed post is entitled, How Do You Determine What Musician You Should Be.
It’s fair to say there are multiple musical genres out there, all of them with something wonderful to offer. They also move in cycles. It’s arguable that for a time, hip-hop was as culturally significant than the chokehold rock had during the 90s and early 2000s.
Moreover, with the advent of AI tools and the ability to self-release music online (no matter what you think about both), experimenting and learning the basics of how to produce music is more possible than ever.
But how do you determine what kind of music you should make, and what musician you should be? Well, in some respects, these decisions are made naturally for you. It’s not as if artist pick from a completely blank canvas, their interests, tastes and background will absolutely play a part. But that doesn’t mean you have to make dancehall music simply because you were born in Jamaica. There is a wide valley of options out there and you can experiment with multiple art forms if you home to.
But how do you determine where to begin in the interim? Let’s discuss that, below:
Consider The Genres & Artists You Most Love
You’d be surprised how many people skip right past the music that actually moves them and try to chase what they think will be popular or profitable instead. It’s fine if the artists you find yourself coming back to over and over again, whose songs you know every word to without even trying are probably giving you some pretty clear signals about what resonates with you musically.
So if you’ve been obsessed with Radiohead for years and always wondered how they create such layered, atmospheric soundscapes, or perhaps you can’t get enough of how certain jazz pianists make even the most complex progressions work, that’s a sign.
Pay attention to what you listen to when you’re driving alone, what you put on when you’re cleaning the house, or what you reach for when you need comfort after a rough day. These choices are often telling you something about the kind of musical energy you connect with. You might discover you’re drawn to the storytelling aspect of folk music, for example, and want to express yourself that way.
What Music News Do You Gravitate To?
The music blogs and publications you find yourself reading without being prompted to can reveal a lot about where your interests really lie, even if you haven’t been thinking about it consciously. If you’re always checking sites like DLK Longue for the latest in low fi and jazz news, you’re probably someone who values discovering new sounds. If you like reading Resident Advisor, which is to do with techo, house and electronic music, that might be an indication of your preference.
Of course it’s not just about vibe either, because some people are fascinated by the business side of music and find themselves reading about label deals and industry trends. That might still surround a certain industry. You could also be more interested in the cultural impact of certain movements or how specific scenes developed in different cities, how like Northern Soul came to be.Again, this can direct you.
Which Instruments & Sounds Are You Drawn To?
You might find that you’re drawn to instruments you’ve never even played but always found lovely to listen to, such as being inspired by how saxophone can sound both smooth and gritty depending on how it’s played, or how certain piano voicings can make chord progressions feel sophisticated and complex.
You don’t have to limit yourself to instruments you already know how to play either, because part of finding your musical identity involves being willing to explore new sounds and techniques that intrigue you. You might have been playing guitar for five years but take to violin like nothing else, for instance. So don’t limit yourself.
How Do You Like To Perform?
Some musicians find themselves loving their presence in front of crowds and feed off that energy, but it’s fine if you just prefer the more limited setting of a small room, or even to have a “persona” like MF Doom or Slipknot or Sleep Token or many other bands that have specific uniforms of outfits for their art.
As you can see, sometimes the theatrical aspects of performance with visual elements and storytelling can make you larger than life. There’s a reason Elton John wore such huge and loud outfits, because that’s how he felt his music should be connected with. If you like to perform in a certain way or have been thinking about it, that could be a possible nudge in the right direction!
What Do You Have To Say?
Music doesn’t always have to carry a deep message, but most interesting music comes from artists who have some kind of perspective or experience they want to share, even if it’s just about creating a certain feeling or atmosphere. Lyricicism is poetry for the most part, and can be very personal to you even if no one is going to understand it.
You can also have emotions you want to explore through your art, or observations about the world that feel important to you. You don’t have to monologue like Bob Dylan does of course, that’s the great thing about your music, you can express yourself in more than just sentences or words. But saying something is appropriate, again, even if it’s just an emotion through instrumental. But it is important to consider what you have to present no matter the project, unless you’re putting together an album about vapid, vague statements completely, which could be its own form of art, too.
What Are Your Strengths?
Being honest about what you’re naturally skilled with can help you find musical directions that play to those strengths while still challenging you to grow. Now, that doesn’t mean you are required to be a maestro at the bass guitar, but having a great ear for melody, a natural sense of rhythm, or a voice that can flutter in the right places could be a good sign. You just might be someone who’s really good at hearing how different instruments can work together in a mix, or perhaps you just you have strong instincts about song structure and pacing. It all counts, and you should lean on that.
Which Gigs Have You Most Enjoyed?
If you’ve had opportunities to play music in different settings, it’s healthy to think about which experiences left you feeling energized and excited, and of course, which ones felt like work or made you uncomfortable. Perhaps you loved playing background music at a coffee shop because it gave you space to experiment and try new things without pressure, or perhaps you discovered you love screaming into a mic while it rains, shirtless, with a guitar on a strap and your backup band going hard with you.
Many artist will find that certain types of venues or audiences bring out different aspects of your musical personality. Think about how Kurt Cobain often was on stage and also how he came across during his iconic MTV Unplugged performance, where he showed a whole different side to him and his art. But to explore these parts of yourself you really do have to be open to explore them, and to get out there with confidence to explore the best outcome.
What Tools Do You Have Access To?
Now and again the practical considerations, and better yet limitations, can help you challenge yourself. The truth is that if you have access to a full recording studio with vintage analog equipment, something might be lost than when you were recording tracks into your downloaded audio software through a simple mic. Work with what you have, even if you get the free license of production software for Christmas and that’s it.
Believe it or not, sometimes having fewer options actually leads to more interesting results because you’re forced to be creative within those constraints, which can help artists in any industry, like when an author has their work edited down to improve the pacing of the plot and the narrative.
What Theory Do You Know?
Your level of formal musical training will definitely influence how you approach creating music, but it doesn’t have to determine what kind of music you make. If you have a strong background in classical theory, you you may want to showcase more complex harmonic progressions and arrangements, but you could just as easily use that knowledge to create surprisingly simple music that gets maximum impact too.
It’s fine if you don’t know music theory of course, because if you’re mostly self-taught and work more intuitively, you could find you already have a natural feel for certain patterns or musical shapes that trained musicians sometimes ignore or just think too much about to overdo it. In general, we’d say that to break the rules well it’s always good to know what they are, and there’s no harm that comes from learning music theory (it can frame what you’re trying to do for the better), but it could hamper you not to learn. Moreover, learning it can also inspire you in certain directions you’re more keen on.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily determine what musician you should be, or rather, what you hope to be.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and General Education. Higher education comes at a cost for everyone. If you don’t have a free ride, then you’ll have to figure out how to cover the costs of your education. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Pay Your Way Through College.
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Whether you are just about to start college, or you are already in the midst of it, it’s important to make sure that you are thinking ahead financially and doing all you can to make things work. This is one of the most challenging aspects of further education for anyone, and there are a lot of things that you will need to make sure you are thinking about if you are trying to do this right. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the things you can do to help pay your way through college more effectively and easily.
Regardless of where you are in the world, there is almost certainly going to be some help you can get either from the national government or a local government programme, and it’s really important to make sure that you are checking these. You should certainly try to get hold of any student aid that you think you might be eligible for, because that is going to make a huge difference to how you can pay your way through college. So this is something that is really going to be important for you to think about in all of this.
Get A Loan
A lot of people find that they do still need to borrow to get through college, even if they also have student aid and other kinds of help. One of the most common kinds of borrowing that students have to go for is a loan, and you might want to consider your options here as soon as possible so you know what’s out there. It’s worth looking at the likes of Ascent Funding if you want to make sure that you are aware of what you can get, and this could have the effect of helping you greatly.
There are a lot of scholarships out there, and it’s always worth making sure that you are applying for these if you want to know where you are. These are not only for straight-A students or star athletes – there are all kinds of scholarships for all kinds of students, and there’s a pretty good chance that you should be able to get hold of one if you put your mind to it. But if you don’t apply for any, then there is a zero chance. It’s always worth putting yourself out there to see what comes back.
Work Part Time
Finally, a lot of students still have to work a little as well to help pay their way, and this may be something that you want to consider. If you can work part-time from time to time, that is probably going to make a huge difference and you should find that you are able to really make it work for your college degree all in all. So this is something that is really worth thinking about as well which could make the whole process so much easier to get through.
My blog focuses on General Education. Education is a critical part of all our lives. The reality though is that it is not a one size fits all thing. So students use non-traditional routes and take alternatives pathways. The following contributed post is entitled, It’s Time to Break Up with the Traditional School System.
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We were raised to believe there was only one way to get educated: go to school, sit in rows, memorize, test, graduate, repeat. For some, that worked just fine. But for many others, including late bloomers, independent thinkers, and neurodiverse learners, it didn’t. It left them feeling like square pegs in round holes, pushed through a system that wasn’t built for them.
But here’s the thing: it’s 2025, and the rules have changed. Education isn’t one-size-fits-all anymore, and for a growing number of people, that’s a very good thing. Whether you’re a parent rethinking your child’s future or an adult reconsidering your own, these alternative approaches might just be the fresh start you need.
Boarding Schools: A Structured Path with Room to Grow
Boarding schools have often been misunderstood, either seen as elitist or as last resorts. But in reality, the right boarding school can be a lifeline for students who need structure, community, and space to thrive outside the limitations of traditional day schools.
These schools offer more than academics, they foster independence, personal responsibility, and deeper connections between students and teachers. For kids who are highly motivated, easily distracted at home, or simply need a fresh environment, boarding school can be transformative.
Of course, finding the right one is key. You want a school that understands today’s student, one that builds resilience, encourages critical thinking, and supports wellbeing. Institutions like KIS offer student-centered environments designed for a new generation of learners, blending strong academics with emotional support and global outlook.
Online Education: Learning on Your Terms
Not everyone learns best in a classroom. Not everyone can learn in a classroom. That’s where online education steps in, offering flexibility, accessibility, and the power to shape your learning around your life.
Whether it’s remote high school programs, virtual university degrees, or specialized platforms that teach everything from business writing to astrophysics, online education gives learners control. You can work at your own pace, revisit content as needed, and often explore subjects more deeply than a traditional class allows.
Going Back to School, When You’re Actually Ready
For some, school didn’t work out the first time around. Maybe life got in the way. Maybe you weren’t sure who you were or what you wanted. And maybe now, with more perspective, you’re ready to return, not to fix the past, but to build the future.
Going back to school as an adult brings a different kind of clarity. You choose the program because it matters to you. You study because you want to, not because someone told you to. Whether it’s community college, an evening course, or an online degree, returning to education later in life is often more empowering than doing it young and uncertain.
The Pick-and-Mix Approach to Lifelong Learning
What if you don’t want a full degree? What if you just want to learn Korean for fun, or get a cybersecurity certification to pivot careers?
The pick-and-mix approach is about adults selecting exactly what they want to learn, when they want to learn it. It’s efficient, targeted, and purpose-driven. And it challenges the outdated notion that education has to be a four-year program with a fixed curriculum.
It’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about curiosity, ambition, and self-development. And honestly, isn’t that what education should be all about?
Walking away from the traditional school model isn’t quitting, it’s choosing something better. Whether it’s boarding, online, delayed, or bite-sized, modern education is about choice. And for the first time in generations, that choice is finally ours to make.
