Reasons to Study History

And although we’ve only had written recorded history as a tool for the past 6,000 years, it’s still provided us with incredible insights. Over these 6,000 years, we’ve been able to build models to understand the macro trends of our species.

Why Is History Important And How Can It Benefit Your Future?

History is the knowledge of and study of the past. It is the story of the past and a form of collective memory. History is the story of who we are, where we come from, and can potentially reveal where we are headed.

History is important to study because it is essential for all of us in understanding ourselves and the world around us. There is a history of every field and topic, from medicine, to music, to art. To know and understand history is absolutely necessary, even though the results of historical study are not as visible, and less immediate.

An exceptional education

Oxford offers undergraduates the opportunity to be part of one of the world’s largest and most prestigious faculties as well as a member of an intimate academic community. Every undergraduate is a member of a college. In your college, you are supported by a history tutor who is a member of the History Faculty and an active research historian. You can find out more about the Faculty’s tutors here. You will benefit from three different forms of teaching at Oxford:

• Tutorials – are at the heart of undergraduate learning at Oxford. Students benefit from detailed, regular written and oral feedback by working with an expert tutor who meets weekly with you and another student interested in the same areas of history. This rigorous and personalised tuition allows you to make exceptional progress.
• Seminars – are discussion groups of between 4 and 12 students. They give you the opportunity to debate ideas, to discuss your reading, and to present to a small group.
• Lectures – are given by a wide range of specialists who can share the latest research with you. In your first two terms, you will normally have the opportunity to attend 16 lectures for each of your outline options.

History at Oxford is a subject of energetic debate: debate between your tutor and yourself; debate between you and your fellow students; and debate between your tutors themselves.

It lets you know about the great leaders and individuals of the time.

There are many people from the past who have inspired us and who have contributed their lives to the future. Starting from scientists like Thomas Alva Edison, Graham Bell, Albert Einstein etc, to leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy etc, to the great musicians like Elvis Presley etc, they have inspired us all. It is not about the things they did, but about the way they did and how it lead to success. They were also broke like you, they also felt depressed and had insecurity issues but they strived and made their way out.Inspired enough?

The Benefits of Studying History

Entire societies, and the individuals within them, benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of history. Here are six benefits your child will enjoy if they study history in school.

Develop an Understanding of the World

Through history, we can learn how past societies, systems, ideologies, governments, cultures and technologies were built, how they operated, and how they have changed. The rich history of the world helps us to paint a detailed picture of where we stand today.

Developing your knowledge of history means developing your knowledge of all these different aspects of life. Children can learn about the pillars upon which different civilizations were built, including cultures and people different from their own.

Become a More Rounded Person

History is full of stories. Some are inspiring and uplifting; others are chaotic and immoral. Tap into the vivid realm of history, and there are many vital lessons your child needs to learn. They will study times of suffering and times of joy, and the lessons they learn here can then be applied to their own life experience.

History also encourages a deeper understanding of difference. There are lessons, both good and bad, to be learned from the way our ancestors have interacted with other people who have different ways of living. In a modern world where inclusivity is embraced no matter your background, an understanding of how past societies have integrated is key to humanity improving in the future.

Understand Identity

Nations are made up of a collection of stories and legends. These stories shape the way we think about our country and our standing within it. History is where we learn about how great institutions are formed, and how they’ve contributed to where we are today.

For many of us, looking back at incredible fellow countrymen is a way of establishing our own identity. Finding who we are and what mark we can make on the world is a huge part of childhood. Allowing children to learn about the identity of their country is one way of facilitating that.

History reminds us that we’re human

History is a humbling reminder that you only have a short time on this earth. And the only reason you are alive today is that every single one of your ancestors survived. They made it through wars. Plagues. Natural disasters. Rude kings.

In school, we often only learn about history through wars and prominent figures. But history is much more than that. The deepest understanding of history comes from the lives of everyday people. The farmers. The peasants. The factory workers. What was life like for them? How did historical events impact these people?

The best look at a historical time period is examining the lives of these everyday people. Check out books that are less focused on the big names, and more on the intricacies of common life during a time period.

But the way we teach history needs to reflect these benefits. No longer can we teach facts and read boring passages. We’re shaping future generations here that will soon be in charge of this world. We need to inspire learners to use history in all aspects of their lives. Even planting small seeds of relevance and relatability can help spark an interest in learners, that can have monumental effects over a lifetime.

Sources:

https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/why-is-history-important/
https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/10-reasons-study-history
https://listovative.com/top-10-reasons-to-study-history/
https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/news/2020/04/29/why-is-it-important-to-study-history
https://www.jamcampus.com/why-learn-history/