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Sticking It Out Until Graduation
India White • Aug 13, 2021
No matter who you are, everyone has struggled at some point in school. Whether you’re a sophomore in high school trying to figure out the difference between ammonia and ammonium in your chemistry class or a doctorate student racking your brain and the library for potential thesis ideas, school can really suck. The early hours, the late nights, the unreal amount of seemingly mindless work. At some point, you wonder, why is this necessary? How important is that piece of paper at the end of it all really? Everyone truly successful makes their own path, right? While you’re in between the grinding cogs of the education system, these questions may frequently come up in your head or from your peers, and you may be tempted to go where each question follows. And while, for a short time, it may feel nice to not care about school, in the end, you’ll realize how harmful your resignation can be. Although the education system is flawed in many ways and feels more like a burden than a privilege, graduating from your respective schools is critically important for your future and yourself.
However meaningless it may seem, high school diplomas are a critical stepping stone towards a better future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2017, high school graduates earned, on average, $192 more per week than high school dropouts. Over a lifetime, this difference accumulates to more than half a million dollars. Think of all the ways you could better your life with that kind of money! But even that is chump change compared to the money you make after college. College graduates, on average, make $462 more per week than high school graduates. I don’t even think I need to do the math; over a lifetime, that’s a lot of money. And guess what, graduating high school makes it a lot easier to get into college! It’s a win-win. With a college degree, you’re more marketable to potential employers, allowing them to see more job opportunities throughout their careers. Along with the increased pool of opportunities, job security and economic stability is much higher in college graduates than in only high school graduates. This doesn’t even mention the several unique experiences and people you will get to experience as a college student, which are priceless benefits all on their own! All of this can be yours, if you can just stick it out for a bit longer in high school or college, or wherever you are in life. The future is grand and expansive but only if you’re willing to let it be that way. Don’t limit your options.
Stick to it! No matter how annoying or stressful it gets, your youth is a critical period of time to build character and resilience. And guess what? School helps you build those things. School, and its inherent struggles, allows you to develop the necessary skills to overcome adversity, mediate stress, build communication skills, and create connections in a safe environment so that in the future, you can apply those lessons to getting the things you actually want, whatever that may be.
Most likely, you never will need to know how to use calculus or remember who our 22nd president was (Grover Cleveland by the way, he was also our 24th). But it isn’t so much the information you get from high school, but the habits, lessons, and skills you gained along the way. Graduation is simply the celebration of your commitment to 15+ years of school, 15+ years of learning, 15+ years of perseverance. So when you one day, walk across that stage, remember, you didn’t do all that for a piece of paper. You did it for you, and you only!
‼️So grateful for the opportunity to hear testimonials and reviews from a few rockstar educators about their takeaways and experiences from my Equitable math 🧮 practices session at MCTM in Minnesota this weekend🤩! It's inspiring to hear teachers who provide feedback and work to close the achievement gap. 🥰Let's continue learning from each other and making a difference in the lives of our students! #teacherappreciation #education #equitablemath #achievementgap #drindiawhite #teachers #tedx #equity Check out the session highlights here:
‼️Listen as a gritty Middle Eastern teacher explains how attending my Equity Keynote at the Math conference, helped her connect her experience as a BIPOC educator with her perspective on how to implement equitable practices for all students and relate to students of different cultures! #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #dei #math #education #teachers #students #bipoc #savvas #nctm #ncsm #bwxme #nabse #habse #uf
I urge you to take a moment to listen to Dr. India White's enlightening TEDx talk, "The Power of Grit," where she delves into what drives grit in the lives of leaders, teachers, and students every day. In this captivating presentation, Dr. White offers invaluable insights into the transformative potential of grit—the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. As educators and leaders, we play a pivotal role in instilling and nurturing grit among our students and colleagues. Dr. White's talk serves as a powerful reminder of the impact we can have when we cultivate grit within ourselves and those we influence. I encourage you to watch the TEDx talk for a deeper understanding of how grit can drive success in our classrooms, workplaces, and lives.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Alumni Gainesville reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
I am beyond grateful and honored to have the opportunity to speak at UF's Young Alumni reception and share the powerful message of grit with the new graduates from the University of Florida. As leaders, we have a unique platform and responsibility to inspire and empower the next generation as they embark on their journey beyond the university walls. Grit is more than just a buzzword; it is the unwavering determination and resilience that propel individuals toward their goals, even in the face of adversity. It's about facing challenges head-on, embracing failures as opportunities for growth, and never giving up on our dreams. Today, as we gather to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable graduates, let us remind them of the power they hold within themselves. Let us encourage them to cultivate grit in all aspects of their lives, knowing that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve their wildest dreams. As leaders, let us lead by example, showing gratitude for the opportunities we've been given and inspiring others to do the same. Let us use our voices to uplift and encourage those around us, knowing that together, we can create a brighter and more resilient future for all. Congratulations to the graduates of the University of Florida! May your journey be filled with grit, determination, and endless possibilities.
Join us on the Grit and Equity Talks Podcast with Dr. India White, where we will discuss spaced vs. mass practice for teachers! Visit www.india-white.com for more information #drindiawhite #grit #equity
🥳As the opening keynote at the WMC Annual conference, I had the opportunity to discuss equitable math practices with teachers. I am grateful to have gifted 30 copies of the Equity Counts book collaboration after my session! 🤩Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for making this happen🥰. The best is yet to come for Wisconsin teachers and students! #EquitableMath #Education #EquityCounts #savvas #drindiawhite #tedx #equity #WisconsinTeachers #StudentSuccess #wismath24 #nctm #ncsm… See more — at On Green Lake in Wisconsin.
Hanging out wit the tribe! I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at @WisMathCouncil 🤩 We applied the concept of grit in their classroom! Thanks to @SavvasLearning!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
This morning, I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at WMC's Annual Math Conference. 🤩The conference was a great success, with attendees discussing the importance of grit in both teachers and students. I’m excited to see Wisconsin teachers apply the concept of grit in their classrooms and help their students develop this crucial! Thanks to Savvas Learning Company for the support and encouragement!! #drindiawhite #math #grit #student #teachers @wismathcouncil #wismath24 #SAVVAS #nctm #ncsm #bwxme
‼️Attention all Wisconsin teachers! Are you ready to enhance your teaching skills and help your students develop their grit😃? If so, don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase my Grit Workbook at a discounted price! 🤗I have 50 copies available at WMC, so come and grab your copy this week🤩! #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers #wismath2024 #nctm #ncsm #drindiawhite #grit #education #students #teachers