Take 2

The episode explores the concept of success and how it varies for different individuals. It discusses how societal norms and external validations shape people's definitions of success, such as professional achievements or personal growth. The influence of cultural and social contexts is also highlighted, with examples from Asian American families who have high expectations for success. The idea that success is a journey and evolves over time is emphasized. The importance of a supportive learning environment is mentioned, and different education systems, such as traditional classroom learning and the Montessori method, are briefly discussed. The question of what makes an education system successful is raised. Hello, my name is Sebastian Francis. In this episode, I'll be covering the topic of what does it mean to be successful to the individual. Success is a measurement of the level of fulfillment for an individual, which can mean many things for many different people. I've been in the pursuit of finding those things that people use to define that level of fulfillment so that they can feel successful. In addition, how those measurements and criteria may have changed over time as education in society has progressed. In the Middle Ages, peasants and women were often refused access to education. It wasn't very common for someone of a lower class to be educated. However, the upper class and wealthier people had access to some of the best colleges and universities at the time. With that, I ask you this, were their bars for success the same? The wealthy and educated people may have been perceived as successful to the peasants because being educated was the bare minimum for their social class. However, the upper class perhaps saw politicians and leaders as being successful because having education was commonplace to them. Here we see a huge gap in the margin for success per class during early educational development. As society has progressed, the margin for success has not only shifted, but multiplied. Merriam-Webster defines success as a favorable or desirable outcome. It can also be the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence. These definitions leave a lot of room for variation among people. At its core, success is a subjective measure intricately woven into the fabric of an individual's ambitions and desires. For some, success might manifest as professional achievements, securing a high-paying job, climbing the corporate ladder, or establishing a successful business. Their fulfillment stems from realizing their career goals, financial stability, and recognition in their field. A well-renowned UCLA basketball coach by the name of John Wooden offered a similar perspective on success. He stated, Success is peace of mind that is the direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. This definition of success intertwines with societal norms and external validations. But for these individuals, it's a crucial aspect of their sense of accomplishment. For example, grades and test scores. Everyone wants to get an A in school whether they try or not. The fact of the matter is not everyone can no matter how hard they try. This causes some people to consider themselves failures and not good enough because they can't get that A. According to a study done by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in a survey done by 10,000 students from 33 different schools, students were observed to be three times more likely to agree with this statement. I'm prouder if I get good grades in my class than if I'm in a caring community in class and school. As we can see with this quote and the results from the survey done by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the societal pressure of doing well in school, whether by their parents or peers, has caused students to prioritize a letter more than their learning environment. On the contrary, success for others might have little to do with professional milestones. It could revolve around personal growth, relationships, or contributions to society. A successful life to them might mean nurturing strong, meaningful connections, being a supportive friend or family member, or making a positive impact with their community. Their fulfillment comes from the richness of their experiences and the depth of their relationships rather than material gains or titles. The cultural and social context in which an individual grows also significantly influences their definition of success. In certain cultures, success might be predominantly associated with a collective harmony, family well-being, or spiritual enlightenment. In others, it could be about the individual achievements and personal status. Understanding one's cultural background is crucial in comprehending their perspective on success. In an article done by NYU on parental influence of Asian American parents, this topic of social and cultural context presents itself. A quote from the article on this matter reads, Many parents expect their children to enter highly demanding fields of engineering or medicine so that they will have increased chances of acquiring a well-paying job and higher socioeconomic status. As evident with this quote, the bar for success is different for different people. For some, the bare minimum effort is accepted, whereas for some other countries and cultures, that would be considered a failure or not good enough. For Asian American students, the bar is set extremely high by their families, meaning that their margin for success is significantly higher, the article reads. For an Asian American individual, being successful is satisfying their parents' high expectations. Moreover, success is not a steady destination but an ongoing journey. As individuals evolve, so do their aspirations and definitions of success. What may be perceived as success in one phase of life might not hold the same significance in another. Aspirations change and with them, parameters of success evolve. For instance, a person might have sought financial success in their youth as they age that prioritize experiences, relationships, or personal fulfillment over material wealth. Ultimately, the essence of success lies in the sense of fulfillment and contentment an individual derives from their achievements, be they professional, personal, or relational. Success is inherently personal. It's about aligning one's actions and outcomes with their innermost values and dreams. It's the feeling of being at peace with one's journey, finding joy in the process, and being true to oneself. In the essence of success is the harmonious fusion of personal desires, societal influences, individual growth, and a learning environment. The learning environment being an extremely important aspect of education. Every student learns differently, meaning that their environment is where they feel most comfortable at and where they can perform their best. There are so many ways of learning and education systems that some might question, what is the best education system for student success? Is it the traditional way of learning in a classroom slash lecture setting, or is it via a system like the Montessori education? A self-directed way of learning through hands-on activity and collaborative play. Although not as popular as traditional learning, some argue that it's a great way of learning for student success, providing hands-on learning and giving students a chance to learn independence from a young age. That's shown to be beneficial for Montessori students. With this, a new question presents itself, what makes an education system successful?