When I first began studying my humanities degrees, I expected to gain knowledge in creative writing, English language, and philosophy, which I did. However, I didn’t realise the extra value that they had and the additional skills I would learn. They reshaped how I thought, communicated and understood the world around me. They taught me how to think, explore, challenge and form my own perspective.
Philosophy Life Skills
I believe philosophy is an undervalued subject, and experience has shown me the essential skills that I gained from studying it. Analytical thinking, communication, creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking are valuable. These are essential for better decision-making, independent thinking and avoiding misinformation. I learned to analyse, evaluate and question information rather than take arguments at face value. This improves my ability to make reasoned decisions across many areas of my life.
Being able to think critically helps me look for evidence and logic in any ideas that I have. I question everything when I am given information to reach the most sensible conclusion. I can also form my own views, making them more thoughtful and independent, and shaping how I respond to the world around me. It has been very useful in developing my future skills in a way I didn’t realise. I became a thinker rather than a conformist.
It also developed my ability to solve problems by considering different perspectives, which helps with everyday choices about my life. I pay closer attention to the arguments being made, the evidence and any potential biases.
My writing has improved as I have learned to write clearly and persuasively, structure my sentences and research topics, and support them with reputable sources.
The Skills I Developed Through Creative Writing
I enjoyed learning to write in a distinct voice and style when studying creative writing. I developed a love of literature and reading. I learned to experiment with characters and narratives to better understand emotions and experiences that differ from mine. This has helped me better understand people’s experiences that differ from my own, developing empathy and a deeper understanding of human behaviour.
My writing has improved through learning to choose words carefully and to communicate my thoughts imaginatively. I learned to edit my own work, develop my own voice, express myself, and in doing so, increase my confidence.
English Language and What I Learned About Communication and Expression
I have learned the history of the English language’s development and how it influences society, from advertising to politics. This showed me how language can reflect identity, social class and power. English is used to influence and communicate our views and social connections, facilitate thought and reasoning, and provide information. Learning to read and understand information deeply is another important skill.
When I learned English, I developed my understanding of how language is used in everyday situations. Some of my skills include understanding grammar and context, which help me write more clearly and communicate effectively. It has also benefited my teaching by helping me share ideas, create engaging activities, and provide feedback.
Final Thoughts
Studying at home through an online university in a flexible environment that I can control made such a difference to the study experience. It helped me reduce the challenges of navigating the social environment of a traditional university. The learning materials were in multiple formats, which helped me learn more effectively through listening and reading at my own pace. The inclusive learning environment provided me with support that fitted my needs by helping me recognise my strengths.
Studying was a lot of work, and I am grateful that I finally got the chance to study for my degrees. They gave me confidence, and the skills they have given me will carry me throughout my life in many ways. They helped improve my presentation skills and research techniques, and they taught me how to think, not what to think. They also developed my intellectual, practical, and personal skills, helping me work independently, build my self-confidence, and contribute to my personal growth.
This is my personal experience, and I am sharing what helped me as a neurodivergent learner. In the right environment, I can not only thrive, but I can succeed.
I hope that one day I will be able to put everything that I have learned to good use and make a meaningful difference.
Sources and Further Reading:
https://www.english.ox.ac.uk/article/new-research-on-the-value-of-the-humanities
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