A Note to Students on Current Events and Education

Whatever problems have arisen this year, and whatever problems continue to arise in 2020 and beyond, the crucial key to all of our salvation will be education.

Through education, we can cure diseases. We can fight fake news. We can promote greater compassion, and understanding. Through education, we can build a better world that is more prosperous than the one that came before us. 

Despite how hard 2020 has seemed to be, 2020 isn’t the most challenging year in our history. The world has fought two world wars, overcome even deadlier pandemics, and defeated untold hardship to be where we are today.

In spite of the challenges we’ve faced throughout human history, we’ve conquered those challenges to keep making our world better. And I sincerely believe that we will continue to improve society. Instead of the hardship and challenges, think of new opportunities.

Remember that progress doesn’t come in a straight, upward sloping line. It’s a volatile chart, filled with give and take. There’s some progress, and there are some setbacks. But overall, the slope is upward, and potentially even exponentially so (but this is a topic for another day.)

In addition to taking inspiration from human history and historical progress, we can also take lessons closer to home. Each of our family histories holds personal stories of perseverance and achievement. Wherever we come from, family situations have put us in a place today where we have the potential to make changes now and in the future that will make a difference. 

So let’s use this chance well. Don’t be deterred or distracted by turmoil. Instead, look for opportunities to improve and make a difference. It is often said that “the night is darkest before the dawn.” 2020 may feel like a really dark night, but with education we can bring about a brighter day sooner than ever if we try.

Even during these difficult circumstances, there are inspirational heroes all around us. Instead of thinking about being stuck at home, or of having opportunities snuffed out by issues beyond our control, ask yourself, “What can I do? How can I adapt? How can I help others around me?”

Don’t just get caught up in grades or test scores. Honestly, education is not about a score. Education is learning how to use what you’ve learned in the real world. Einstein famously had challenges as a high school student, yet many of his theories are still being proven correct to this day despite the fact that he didn’t have the technology or data or advantages that we have today. What do you think is more important, his performance in school or what he did with his education?

Einstein wasn’t deterred by two world wars, his Jewish heritage and the rise of Nazism in his native country. Instead, he used his life as a literal light with which to bring about greater understanding for society, and his thoughts and conclusions are the basis of many of the technologies we take for granted today.

So I challenge each of you, students, in three basic ways. 

• One, don’t think of yourselves as students. You are as much a part of this world as any of us adults. You are just as capable as any of us adults. Don’t settle. Don’t think you are incapable. Try! You may succeed beyond your dreams, and if you don’t, you’ll learn invaluable lessons to make your next attempt at your dreams even better.
• Two, don’t wait. If you have ideas, inspiration, curiosities, pursue them! Don’t wait until after graduation, or until someone gives you a job to start. Honestly, I’ve heard from many adults who always tell me about pushing their dreams back, and back and back, until they feel too old to pursue them anymore. Don’t let your dream die from delays. Feed it and strive to achieve it as soon as possible and as quickly as possible. At many tech companies, we have a saying called: “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.”
• Three, always be learning. Even if you cured cancer, or solved an important problem as a teenager, you still have 80+ years of life to live! A lot is changing and happening throughout the world. The world is moving faster and faster forward. If we are not moving fast with the world, then we are being left behind. In fact, if you can do something amazing even as just a high school student, think of what you can do with even more knowledge and experience in the future! Keep learning to grow even stronger and more capable in your future.

If you can learn what education truly is, and use your opportunity well, then I have no doubt that no matter what the world looks like, you can be incredibly successful and make the world a better place. And even if you are afraid of the future, education is what will protect you.

The most educated in society historically have always been among the most prepared to confront and overcome problems. The most educated in society often have the most choices, whether it is to be recruited by the best companies, start their own transformative companies, live wherever they want, and more. 

Any country, company, investor, or even friend would love to have someone like Elon Musk, who I believe is a real embodiment of what it means to be educated.

So don’t just aim for good grades or scores. Aim higher. Aim for an education that isn’t limited by where you go to school, or what class you’re able to take. Aim for an education that gives you the most opportunities and choices in life, and aim for an education that allows you to change the world for the better.

In closing, I hope to leave you with two more thoughts that each of us should hold dear: 1) challenges can be overcome, and 2) we are all responsible for creating a better world. It is harder to do either of these things if we don’t focus on what education truly is. 

I hope today’s difficult times and your real life experiences can give you a head start in truly understanding what it means to get an education and become educated.