Is Happiness In Education A Possibility?

Education is a great part of people’s lives and happiness; One’s teachers and way’s of being educated has a huge effect on one’s life but it is what we do with those experiences that may help one succeed or make one believe that goal is impossible in the present and future. I for one has had many experiences within my journey and now continuing journey with education.


Throughout all my years in school I have only recently noticed that I am extremely afraid of failure. I connect with a quote from Happiness in Education on page 84 which states, “students are motivated by their fear of failure. At the end of the term, liberated from their books and papers and exams, they feel an overwhelming sense of relief-which, in the moment, can feel a lot like happiness.” I believe that this problem originates from my elementary school days. I was always pushed to exceed at everything I do and I was punished or scolded if I didn’t for weeks on end by my parents and by my teachers. Even at this very moment I have had one too many thoughts of giving up on this piece of writing because I’m afraid that it wont live up to the passing expectations. I am somewhat proud of myself that I am still on this piece because I gave up on an assignment I was supposed to give in the other day for the same reason I almost gave up on this one. I’ve also noticed that I have always waited until the last minute to actually do a project but I realize that shortage of time motivates and inspires my writing. This action also results in stress which does not have a good effect on my physical and mental health.
　
I am convinced that I may still have a chance at finding happiness in education. I am indeed one of those students that “experience either boredom or anxiety in school” (Ben-Shahar 88) but I think that I still may be able to create a satisfying balance in my remaining journey of education. It is true that once I finish my assignments and projects I am intensely relieved with the feeling of free time. I believe that bringing a schedule into existence, mapping out when I would be able to get in the most work, week by week, may relieve some of my stress. I will also need to try to motivate myself to complete all my projects and assignments because if I do not, that may put a huge stress on my grade. Now, I see that a grade is better than a possibly much lower grade from not giving an assignment in. These two ideas can actually benefit me by relieving my stress, helping my health and boasting up my grade. All these ideas are positive ideas improving my life, which will hopefully result in making my journey with education happier.


One’s ways of being educated and experiences having to do with education as well, have an immense effect on one’s life. From my experiences growing up my experiences have not had a positive effect on my education. Though one has not had positive experiences and one’s education lifestyle is some what poor, there is still time to try and change it, as I am attempting. I believe there is always time to change and improve and find happiness, especially on quests such as education. That is as long as one chooses.