When I was in high school, I felt out of place.
What I had to learn made no sense to me; I had distinct interests and curiosities, besides my way of thinking and expressing myself that did not fit what was expected and demanded. After finishing school, I did not feel ready to face the “outside world”, as expected.
In college it went a little better, but not that different. I was puzzled with the question: do others feel as I do, or is it just me?
Maybe you felt the same as I did. Maybe you felt something else. But maybe the real question here is do schools actually prepare students for the real world?
This question followed me to my Master’s, where I decided to find out how higher education students feel about stimulating creativity and developing creative potential in the classroom.
The results were clear: they have a lot of insecurities, especially with risk-taking, fundamental to creativity and innovation. In addition, a lack of trust can lead them to not fully exploit their creative potential, resulting in professionals unable to innovate and think creatively and therefore unprepared for the future that awaits them.
(If you are interested in reading the full study, drop me a message)
Stimulating creativity is not just good for generating ideas. It also gives room for the individual to build confidence, which comes from being part of a culture or a group with a common set of beliefs and values that are maintained when it is actively and collaboratively managed.
This confidence is connected to our ability to imagine, explore, and understand the world around us, which will allow us to develop the skills and abilities necessary to adapt to different scenarios.
Education plays an essential role in building this future. Most young people have a desire to do something that has meaning and is challenging, but the reality is that most schools and universities do not encourage them to be creative and innovative.
Encouraging and motivating people to be creative is the best strategy to prepare them for a bright future.
Are you in need of a boost in your creative confidence?
How do you feel about your creative capacities?