Introduction
“School is a scam.”
You’ve probably heard this phrase more times than you can count. It’s been echoing through conversations, buzzing on social media, and even serving as a quick excuse for some to disconnect from education altogether.
But before you jump on that bandwagon, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself one important question:
Is school really the scam? Or is it the mindset that’s trapping you?
Many of the voices repeating these words are frustrated, discouraged, or perhaps just misinformed. However, beneath this growing trend lies a belief that’s quietly robbing this generation of their true potential.
The Dangerous Trend: Why the Mindset Is Spreading
Let’s face it — school can feel overwhelming at times. The bills are high. The systems aren’t perfect. And the results? They don’t always appear as quickly as we’d like.
But frustration should never cloud your judgment and lead you to false conclusions.
There’s a growing trend of young people walking away from opportunities, abandoning education, or dismissing the value of learning altogether simply because someone online said it doesn’t matter. While some may drop out without a plan, others subtly undermine the importance of learning in their own minds.
Here’s the truth: this mindset doesn’t set you free. It only limits your future.
Modupe Isola’s Story: A Graduate Who Knows the Value of Education
Take Modupe Isola, for example. Modupe is a Psychology graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, and she couldn’t disagree more with the notion that school is a scam.
As a student, Modupe faced her own challenges: sleepless nights, overwhelming deadlines, and moments of doubt. But she came to understand something many young people forget — education is not just about passing exams and collecting certificates.
Modupe believes that what school really offers is the foundation for success in life. It teaches you how to think critically, how to solve problems, and how to understand the world in deeper, more meaningful ways.
“School shaped my mind and helped me build a strong foundation for everything I’m doing now,” she says. “It opened doors for me, and it taught me skills I will use for the rest of my life.”
Her story is a reminder that education isn’t just a formality — it’s a tool, one that has the power to shape your future in ways you can’t always see in the moment.
- Education Is Still One of the Greatest Levers You Can Have
What school gives you goes far beyond certificates. It shapes your mind, exposes you to diverse people, broadens your perspectives, and equips you to solve real-world problems.
Education teaches you:
- How to think, not what to think.
- How to process information
- How to communicate clearly.
- How to make informed decisions.
- How to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
These skills don’t fade over time. They show up in every stage of your life — whether in your career, in business, as a leader, or even in your relationships.
- Success Stories Without Degrees Are the Exception, Not the Rule
You might hear about the success stories of billionaires who dropped out of school, but there’s one important truth people often overlook:
They didn’t drop learning — they dropped the classroom.
Behind every “dropout success story” is:
- Continuous self-education.
- Strong networks and mentors.
- Unyielding discipline.
- A powerful idea or innovation.
- Access to resources many young people don’t have.
Admiring their journey is fine, but misinterpreting it can be dangerous. Most people who abandon formal education without a backup plan don’t achieve success; they get stuck, struggling to navigate the world without the tools education provides.
3. The Real Scam Is Ignorance
Ignorance costs more than school fees. It limits the opportunities available to you, reduces the jobs you can access, and closes doors you could have confidently walked through.
In a world where information is power, those who are least educated are often the most vulnerable.
4. Education Doesn’t End with School — But School Gives You a Start
You don’t need to love school to benefit from it. You don’t need perfect grades to become great. But you do need knowledge, in any form.
School provides the foundation, and after that, it’s up to you to keep growing. Learning is a lifelong journey, and the people who continue to rise are the ones who stay curious.
Takeaways / Practical Value
Before you call school a scam, remember:
- Education is leverage.
- Knowledge improves your earning power.
- Learning protects you from manipulation.
- School opens doors that ignorance keeps shut.
- You don’t have to love school to benefit from the discipline it builds.
- A certificate may expire, but a trained mind never does.
Don’t let a trending opinion rob you of long-term advantage
Conclusion
The world is changing, but one truth remains:
An informed mind is a powerful mind.
Don’t let frustration, social media, or someone else’s journey convince you to abandon yours. Before you call school a scam, make sure you’re not falling for a mindset that limits your future.
At YTOP Global, we’re committed to helping young people grow, learn, and lead with wisdom. Join us, share your thoughts, and be part of a community that values growth over shortcuts.
Because your future is too important to be shaped by trending hashtags.
Stay learning. Stay rising. Stay empowered.