History is a peculiar field of study. It is an extremely broad topic with no clear implications on our day-to-day lives. The career prospects seem rather limited compared to other subjects. What good does it do to know about people and events that occurred long before your birth and are no longer relevant in our modern world? When you dig into the field, history is far more than just memorizing random dates and names from centuries ago.

At its roots, history is the study of where we came from to help make sense of where we are and where we may be headed. By looking at the famous people and events across different countries throughout time, we can better understand how the world we see today came to take its shape. We can also have a more thorough conception of our ancestors, their culture, what we have inherited from them, and what we could do to improve upon what they did. By building a more comprehensive view of the community you live in, you can better appreciate your home town or country. Having a strong understanding of how the more horrific events of the past occurred can help you see what steps we can take today to prevent those tragedies from reoccurring.

Studying the inspiring moments of history can give you powerful people and actions to look up to. This has the power to greatly help you in your day-to-day life. When you watch the news, you can better understand what is happening based on past events. You will be better prepared to talk about those issues and be able to give examples from previous eras. When you feel inspired and have the confidence to talk about complex news stories, you are more likely to feel better about yourself. You also have more fleshed out opinions and beliefs that will make you an increasingly well-rounded person.

Beyond personal knowledge and growth, studying history helps you prepare for a variety of interesting careers. Many people think that a degree in history limits you to being a teacher. However, graduates in the field often go on to become journalists, writers, politicians, and much more. Many people decide to take post-graduate programs, and thanks to their studies are equipped with strong essay-writing skills. Studying history involves extensive reading and being able to write lengthy essays that support your opinions regarding complex historical events. These reading and writing skills, as well as the ability to effectively form and clearly express original ideas, are crucial for success in many jobs.

You can think of history as a storybook filled with different characters, varied locations, and a complex web of tales. It is impossible to know every little fact, date, and name. Unless you plan on appearing on Jeopardy!, you will never have to know all of that. That is not the point of studying history. The subject is about humanity’s journey. It is being able to research, synthesize information, and form opinions based on the large amounts of facts and ideas presented to you. Studying history is one of the best things you can do for your future.

Sources:

Adam, Clark. “7 Reasons You Need to Know About the Importance of History.” HistoryGuru. http://historyguru.org/7-reasons-need-know-importance-history/

Lyons, Jessica. “Is Studying History Still Important?” Study.com. http://study.com/articles/Is_Studying_History_Still_Important.html

Thakur, Arun. “Top 10 Reasons to Study History.” TopYaps. http://topyaps.com/top-10-reasons-to-study-history