There was a time when learning was about survival for me; it was so important to get good grades and placements, to prove my worth, and to gain financial stability.
As a very real, middle-class, ambitious-young-woman, learning was not optional; it was a necessity.
Good grades meant a good college. A good college meant better placements. Better placements meant financial stability. Stability meant safety. Safety meant freedom. And I love FREEDOM. Who doesn’t?
But mine was all dependent on my degree and job.
Learning was never just learning. It was a strategy to be independent.
And a small-town lawyer technically can’t have a lucrative career, which an IT engineer could have. So I became an Engineer. And I am very grateful for that.
But now, after years of being an engineer, learning feels different. It’s about expanding my horizon, not seeking validation.
Learning in Survival Mode: When Learning Is About Security, Not Curiosity
In the beginning of our lives, most of us learn for survival. From studying for marks and a degree to gaining relevant certifications to get a good job, our learning is closely tied to our livelihood, social security, and financial stability.
This fear-driven ambition drove me throughout my school life, my engineering, and even in the first few years of my career.
I looked at degrees mainly as tools for employability. Instead of asking what I truly wanted to learn, I pursued degrees that would get me a cushy and stable job.
When learning is tied to financial independence, you cannot look at learning beyond survival, which was the case for me as well.
However, this time around, something had changed!
When Survival Is No Longer the Driver
I never knew the luxury of learning without pressure until now. My whole life, learning was purpose-driven, tied to survival.
But, now, for the first time, I was learning for self-growth. No societal pressure, no external validation, no urgency!
So, what happens when your livelihood no longer depends on the degree?
- Learning becomes a choice: Now, when I am not thinking about how a degree will look on my resume, I am choosing to learn things I am actually curious about.
- Education for self-growth: Instead of focusing on outcomes, I begin to pay attention to the process. My education, now, is not about securing my future, but about expanding my knowledge and understanding of the world around me.
Learning as a founder, I have realised that continuous learning is a choice, and this choice changes everything.
Taking Admission in LLB (Even When You Don’t Need It)
The LLB I Didn’t ‘Need’
It’s my first semester. And in the exams, for the first time, I wasn’t studying to survive. I was studying because I was curious. I didn’t care if I topped; I just intended to pass. And I loved case laws.
What changed for me?
- I already have a career.
- Income does not depend on becoming a lawyer.
- There’s no external pressure.
- No pressure for ROI
- No urgency.
This time, I wasn’t learning to add a valuable degree to my resume; I was learning because I wanted to. This simple shift changed my entire perspective towards education. When you are not learning to reach somewhere, you allow yourself to engage with your curiosity, which is exactly what happened to me.
Why I still chose to do it:
- Intellectual curiosity: I was always curious about how laws work, so I chose to educate myself about the Indian legal system. Pursuing this law degree is just the next step in my journey of continuous learning as an entrepreneur.
- Structured thinking: I had always heard that legal education trains the mind to think logically from several different perspectives. This was one of the main reasons why I chose a law degree. And honestly, I love how it challenges my mind.
- Understanding systems: I believe that everyone needs to understand the systems that govern the functioning of our society. Law sits at the center of how societies function.
- Personal expansion: As a founder, I wanted to challenge myself intellectually and expand the way I see the world. This is why I chose a law degree.
My career does not depend on a law degree.
I am not trying to become a practicing lawyer. I’m not changing industries. This is not a plan B. There is no external pressure demanding that I sit in a classroom studying constitutional law or contracts. Or give five, 3-hour-long exams and fill those 28-page answer sheets with case laws and sections or articles.
Which is exactly why it felt so different.
For the first time in my academic life, I wasn’t studying because I had to. I was studying because I was curious.
As a founder and operator, I’m constantly navigating systems: regulatory frameworks, contracts, negotiations, and governance. But engaging with law academically gave me something deeper than utility.
The Privilege of Choosing to Learn
I completely recognise the privilege I have of choosing to learn beyond survival.
Not everyone gets to learn without pressure. This is a luxury I created for myself after spending decades gaining expertise in my career and establishing a company that gives me the freedom to learn on my own terms.
It’s a stage earned over time. I understand that not everyone gets to choose learning at this stage of life, but I still urge you to continue learning if you can!
Learning is a lifelong process, and your approach to learning reflects growth – financial, emotional, and psychological.
The biggest flex isn’t earning more. It’s learning without needing to.
Learning hits differently when it’s not about proving.
