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Another Reason to Get a Good Education

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I’m always talking about how important it is to get a good education. I’m a big believer in going to a great college and getting a good degree because of all that it will do for your career.

Well here’s another reason to get a good education. Researchers at Harvard University found a stunning correlation between how long people live and how long they go to school.

Over the past decade, people with at least one year of college increased their lifespan by at least a year and a half. But those with a high school diploma or less gained only six months.

It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, white or black. The better educated you are, the longer you live.

The reason is because education changes the way we see the world and ourselves. The more educated you are, the less likely you are to engage in risky or unhealthy behavior...such as heavy drinking, smoking, doing drugs, even wearing a seatbelt or having a smoke detector in your house.

Obviously there are people with doctorate degrees who are overweight and drink and smoke too much and may end up dying way too young. Sometimes even a good education can’t stop people from doing stupid things. But hopefully, those people are the exception.

In general, if you want to live a long life, stay in school.

Donald J. Trump is Chairman of Trump University.

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23 Comments

[-] Posted by member1794073 on 05/09/2008 1:22 PM
As a fellow Wharton Alum, I certainly agree with you on this subject. A great education can be invaluable.

I was at your luncheon speech yesterday and completely enjoyed your views on entreprenuership and success. I was hoping that you might be willing to make a difference for my daughter who is turning 12 in two weeks. When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she consistantly responds "Donald Trump's Apprentice". I keep reminding her that good grades and a degree from the finest colleges might make that dream come true. While I understand that you don't prefer emails, is there someway you can send her a note for her birthday with the encouragement of getting the best education possible.
[-] Posted by Beth Carter Special Agent FBI on 05/09/2008 2:02 PM
Where there is smoke there is fire, or at least there is something on the stove that should dealt with in a more appropriate manner, this is the reason for the smoke detector going off in the kitchen to let you know that there is about to be a fire in your house!
The sound of a smoke detector is alarming, there can be no doubt that it annoys the ears, but if you catch the sound of the fire alarm in time you can avoid the whole house from ruin. Educated and non-educated people in my experience hear the sound of a fire alarm, and they look to see where the smoke is coming from before the whole house goes up in flames! The educated person, once they find the reason for the fire sit down at a computer and try to write a thesis or at least a essay about it, so that it will not happen in another kitchen. It is such a shame that there are so many people in our culture that fear the process of education, it does change people, but the changes are for the better, and the contribution that a education allows a person to make is for the betterment of society. I love the process of education, there is nothing that brings me more pleasure than learning, writing, and teaching, and empowering others towards the journey of higher education. It is amazing what happens to people when they let the mind begin to think of more than the world that they have a handle on, and then take what they stumble upon and apply it to a larger body of knowledge. Higher education is a process, that process evolves the mind, harnesses the potential within the heart, and captures the essence of all that is good left to yearn for, yet it leaves so many people paralyzed in a stupor unable to communicate. Some say that those with higher educations are so "book smart that they are stupid" that they cannot relate to the world, that they are social morons. This could be the case, I would like to dispute this argument but the smartest person I ever met was a champion chess player, I never won a single game against him, and he never taught me anything except how to feel every time I lost a game. Some people are just smart enough to get into the best schools, others have parents who send them to schools like Harvard, or Yale, or Georgetown, still others self study everything like Abe Lincoln did. We would consider him a mental patient in today’s society for even trying to self study the practice of law- in fact we would have him on at least 3 medications, and give him at least 4 diagnoses. He would be stoned by the state bar associations, and he would never get into a law school after he tried to "self study the law". It just would never happen- not today, we would scoff and call in the white coats to hall him away and the children would laugh and say "that will teach him to stand out in a crowd"- then they would put on a song about something angry, and chew some gum, then smoke a cigarette, and never think about what happened to Abe. Education today, is pop media, if you want your children educated you have to sneak in the proverbial back door, and be a sly- fox –weasel-snake about introducing them to the ideology or principals that you believe to be true, or wish to pass down. It is worth the risk, and they will love you in the end for taking that risk- so go ahead be a sly-fox-weasel-snake and impress your kids with what you think in social spaces they are in!

As if we needed any reason to get a good education, even a bad one is a good idea, it keeps people busy at least! I wish we could BRING the cost DOWN and EDUCATE everyone for AS FAR as they CAN FLY! NOT BASED ON your ability to pay, but on your willingness to learn, to contribute to the body of knowledge- this is how we should decide!
A good attitude for us to adopt might be:
Who cares who your parents are- what can you think of all by yourself when there is no other person in the room coaching you?

Have a good day DT!
All my best,
Tammie Anderson Coffey
[-] Posted by Business 2000 Foundation.com on 05/09/2008 3:12 PM
We wanted to say thank you to Trump University. We believe you have a great team...a very strong nucleus online University. Even Universal.

In college's there are all different types of degress and assoctians. Some even take a year or less to study and earn am accredited degree. How about to inspire the college droip-out or the ten year executive that wants more specific field of study. Business executives, shools, workers of all types sometimes just want to go back and earn a higher education degree. To even study with Harard or Yale University through Trump University. A degree of all sorts could be offered even a credit to those colleges if some one wanted to go further.

We think it could happen and hope that it becomes an associate University. And why not have a certificate of course completion through Trump University? Afterwhich, be part of the TrumpU University Alumni. We believe...and we say thank you for that better vision with Trump University. It can compete with the Harvards, Yales and the Shool's of Business.
[-] Posted by member1750184 on 05/09/2008 7:25 PM
Mr. Trump,

I agree with your comments and the Harvard Study. Interestingly, there are still a number of healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, etc..) who smoke and/or are overweight. Healthcare is stressful and perhaps that is why this phenomena occurs.

Regards,
Jessica Bond
Medical Careerist

http://jessicabond.blogspot.com
[-] Posted by Beth Carter Special Agent FBI on 05/09/2008 8:32 PM
Dear fellows,
Most people study and learn uniquely, if the Harvard or Yale's could combine efforts and acknowledge efforts here, that meet the same criteria in courses that they offer, it would be amazing! Can you imagine going to your mailbox and getting a letter from one of those schools acknowledging your scholarly contributions? This would encourage self-discipline and student directed research as a whole, and it may achieve a larger goal than most of could imagine. Here in Arizona one University promotes student-centered research, and self study, and the other main University does not. I have attended both schools, they each have attributes worthy of mention, but they are not Harvard, or Yale. I know that people in the real world want to see names like Harvard and Yale, or Princeton or Columbia, or Georgetown, or … (you get the point). In reality if you want to be taken seriously in social science, literature, business, policy, business, law, or teaching it seems to matter who hands you a degree. I considered this issue a lot before I returned to college, and I did not think it would matter, but then I went on a walking tour in a high rise building in downtown Phoenix, where I delivered phone books for a few days. While there I looked at the names on the walls, not the names on the degrees, but the names of the Schools. Most of the larger firms were from the best schools, and maybe it was just the way that I wanted to see it that day, but I doubt it. I really would rather believe that it does NOT matter where you go to school, so long as you finish, and get the highest degree your mind is capable of achieving. This is what I want to believe in my little "fantasy world" I am often accused of living in, but in the real world outside this fantasy cyber space, people do judge you by the car you drive, and the name of the school you graduated from, and they do care what your last name is, and they do decide if you may come into an Ivy league based on your family tree. There is a billboard in my city of this girl, the billboard reads "From homeless to Harvard" and there is a lovely picture of a girl on the billboard with a stack of books looking very scholarly. I would like to think she had a good friend of a friend who had a friend who was a social worker that had a hand in that deal, but rare is the case that the Ivy League selects from the ghetto. While the ghetto offers them diversity on paper, the truth is most poor people just get wedged out of the academic game before they get a chance to play in that league. Rare indeed is the ghetto star that they shall call Ivy! In social work there is a practice called "meeting the client where they are" I believe when applied in social space where learning is taking place advancements in all areas are possible, and the furtherance of research more likely.
Warmest regards to you all,
Tammie Anderson Coffey
[-] Posted by member1794250 on 05/10/2008 1:11 AM
Guess, this post has touched a raw nerve. While good education can be invaluable to get a foot hold as a fledging employee in a permier organisation, good education cannot be attained by all. The reason - high fees!
In India, especially, with reservation of seats for various castes - such mechanism is subject to misuse, the situation seems even more grim for someone not having the advantage of belonging to such a "coveted class". Perhaps a recent ruling by India's apex court will provide for some equity. The court has upheld a 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in central educational instutitions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). However, it has stressed that the creamy layer should be excluded from this quota and this is the sliver lining The government is yet to come up with new parameters to identify the creamy layer. While some sections of society do view reservations as diluting the quality of the students who graduate from these institutions, for now, perhaps, provided that misuse is checked, this is the only mechanism to ensure that higher education is accessible even by the poorer sections of society. The culture of bank loans for education has still not gained much ground in India, perhaps due to lack of awareness or government support (India continues to have nationalised banks together with private players) and farm loans are given priority or rather are mandatory upto a certain limit. Student loans are not.
It is a complex scenario indeed.
in my view, short term distance learning courses, by the same elite institutions, which would be accessible to a employee at the lower rungs and which could help him or her reach the coveted managerial post, is the need of the hour.
From Tammie's post, I understand that this is a problem in other countries as well.
[-] Posted by member1794256 on 05/10/2008 2:25 AM
Hi Mr. Trump. My son is in a catholic high school. He just brought home his report card with a 99 average.He is in the top three in the 11th grade He is in advanced classes and is taking college courses in his junior year.He is on the Varsity football team...He has been nominated for honor society in his school.....Honor roll every year since the first grade......Wants to be captain of his football team and is running for president in the Holy Name Society...... He is an amazing teenager and is really driven.Might concider law or some type of engineering ??? Do you have any insite as to which direction he should go???
[-] Posted by Chip Gherghescu on 05/10/2008 8:46 AM
Thank you. I think that is powerful advice.

www.cipriangherghescu.com

my real story of fighting with obstacles
and challenges to obtain an education in the US. I succeeded!!

by the way, two of the books you wrote so far have helped me very much. I appreciate it.
[-] Posted by member1794306 on 05/10/2008 9:41 AM
I am a student from China. Things differ from the States, people in my motherland prefer working rather than study, wishing to make a lot of money. And most of we, Chinese, like to have further education in order to get a good job, which I object a lot. I like to learn something I am really interested in, such as management. Sometimes, I told myself, you should be patient and learn more, preparing for the future career life. With high degree of education, you can have a sharp insight into things better than those with lower degree.That's what I think.
One word, I like education, and I am always set in.
[-] Posted by Leesa for (c) DB7 International (LLC) on 05/10/2008 12:41 PM
There was an old owl who sat in a tree...the more he saw, the less he spoke, the less he spoke, the more he saw...
[-] Posted by member1385680 on 05/10/2008 5:14 PM
Education is important. It could save you a lot of money and time.

Prince Dudley,
Systems Engineer
http://birdseyesview.blogspot.com
[-] Posted by E. Rizzo on 05/11/2008 2:16 AM
Mr. Trump, I appreciate your sentiments, and have the utmost respect for you...obviously, or, I wouldn't frequent Trump U as often as I do.

However, getting a higher education ain't (I never use that word in speaking, by the way, as it was not allowed in my household when I was growing up) quite as easy for some, as it is for others.

It isn't that the "have-nots" do not want to get a higher education, there are just so many roadblocks standing in their way! Everyone would LOVE to be a career college student, if given a chance. Sometimes, though, it is the privileged children who squander their possibilities and opportunities because everything comes too easy for them.

Some of us were dealt a crappy hand, and, others get aces every time and never appreciate their great fortune. And, even though I was dealt a challenging hand, and, have had to fold, over and over again, I'm not giving up! If the deck runs out...shuffle, and start over again, until you finally get what you want. You constantly say to "Never Give Up!" "Don't Quit!" So, I won't!

I was chatting with a couple of my co-workers today...guys in their mid-twenties...they were talking about their friends whose parents are tremendously wealthy, and, they play video games for fifteen hours a day. They are going to great schools, when they're not playing video games, but my question was, "But, are they paying attention?" These two individuals also came from wealthy families but they both got DUI's, so, they had to "wake up" the hard way. At least their families were smart enough to cut them off (monetarily) so they could realize that they had better do the right thing. Now, they're having to start over at the same "dump" where I'm working (no, I have never gotten a DUI). Ground level is a rude awakening, but, it certainly makes a person realize that they should have made better choices!

Funny enough, your name came up, Mr. Trump...and, it wasn't by me. (Oh, wait, maybe I did bring up your name. I mentioned that I was going to start my own business... that I'm attending Trump University. Guilty as charged. It was me). But, I found myself defending you, once again (not that you need it). I just get so sick of people talking trash about you when they are terribly uninformed. One guy said that there was a segment about you on Stephen Colbert's, Colbert Report. They were knocking Trump University. That is a comedy show, but, still...people believe anything! One of my co-workers said, emphatically, "Well, Donald Trump has filed bankruptcy about four times!" I said, "No he hasn't. Not "personal" bankruptcy." And, the other guy said, "I looked at his bio and the only reason he's rich is because of his dad." I said, "Again, not true!" (Did he read "The Art of the Deal? No!) We had just been discussing a bunch of filthy, rich, trust fund, deadbeats who are attending great schools, but, play video games in their spare time, and throw parties in their parents' mansions the rest of the time. I don't think that is what Mr. Trump was doing when he was that age! No, you did have some advantages, but, you didn't squander your opportunities. Then, one kid said, "But, he's failed so many times and the only reason he was able to come back was because his dad bailed him out!" Wrong, again! "Yes, he did fail, but, he learned from his failures and came back stronger!" Good grief! If we would have had more time, I'm sure that I would have educated them a bit more about you. But, my last statement in passing was... "He gives away all of his secrets...all you have to do is look!" It looks like I'll have to do some more Trump preaching during future breaks, to inspire the young dudes to make something better of their lives. Does this mean that I qualify for the cheerleading squad? I'm pretty sure that I'm head cheer
[-] Posted by Cheryle on 05/12/2008 6:51 AM
The bonds made, the laughter remembered, the difficult times shared, the lessons worth remembering, the pretty girls, flirtatious guys, and people we may never have seen or wanted to know... are all part of a good education.

Making reasonable choices, evaluating risk, learning ways to "keep it all together without falling apart,"
preparing in advance for mishaps or wrong calculations, and knowing where to search if you lose your way, are also part of a good education.

Learning how to be part of a team, yet respecting your individuality, learning how to play nice, and prepared to defend your position, going against popular opinion when being popular is immoral or unjust, is part of a good education.

Learning to stand up for the underdog when the majority relies on humiliation, prejudice, or hurtful bullying, is part of a good education.

If you master the skills required to be the Best person you can be, it doesn't matter what school you attend here on Earth, every mistake will always be remembered. This is the education of your Soul.
[-] Posted by Scott Roemermann on 05/12/2008 5:31 PM
Although I think education is critical I am surprised at your emphasis on formal education. I've always thought that practical experience is far superior to formal education so it's interesting to read your thoughts here.

Scott Roemermann.
<a href="http://www.investing-secrets.com/real-estate-investing-experien...
[-] Posted by Scott Roemermann on 05/13/2008 12:42 PM
Although I think education is critical I am surprised at your emphasis on formal education. I've always thought that practical experience is far superior to formal education so it's interesting to read your thoughts here.

Scott Roemermann.
http://www.investing-secrets.com/real-estate-investing-experience/
[-] Posted by member1797425 on 05/14/2008 6:13 PM
Your blog reminded me of a bumper sticker which read:

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.

I have a question for you, Mr. Trump.

How did you train yourself to sleep four hours per night without feeling exhausted the next day?

I look forward to your reply if you wish to respond.

Enjoy your day.

Sincerely,

Eric Smith
Victoria, BC
commentaryman@hotmail.com
[-] Posted by u229222 on 05/18/2008 1:33 AM
Mr. Trump,

I come from the school of thought that says the following: if you want success, you can save yourself years of academic study by simply modeling yourself after the successful. From a young age, I've stuck to the principle of being simple and direct in life, no matter what it was I wanted to acheive; if it was money I wanted, I went straight for the money, without a lot of wasted effort in other places... although I believe in education, I took it one step further and wanted to learn only from the successful. When I was in college studying business, I had professors who would openly admit their shortcomings in the world of business... that's why they went into teaching instead!

But I'll agree with you, Mr. Trump, on the point of being a better person having come out of college... despite some of the useless information they will teach, you'll also pick up things to help you become a well-rounded and more cultured individual, even.

D. Leung
New York
[-] Posted by member1802186 on 05/21/2008 2:45 AM
Hello,Mr Trump,and to jump ahead,I am a freashman in China.I had been bourght the Wealth Building 101 in recent day.What came up to my mind in first glance is that it's a book with cpmpact content,powerful advices,practical message that reaaly can ensure my good beginning on the path to the prosperity.
As you mentioned,good education brings a lot.I can't agree more.Nevertheless,letting all people down,i'm in a terrible school,suffering bad life style,poor facilities,old-timey education.It really gives me a deep hurt and despair in my heartt.
For what,i wonder sometimes,should i stay in that awful school that doesn't suit my inner spirt and image at all.So i set a goal,a goal that can fullfill my dream,that is,I want to gain my master degree in top50 unniversity in USA.
Education can change your fate,my fate is in my hand.No one can ever stop me,if i really put my effort in it.
[-] Posted by member1802321 on 05/21/2008 7:22 PM
This is a very curious subject.
We all have our places in life; after all, a person well educated in a factory position (working on a conveyor belt) will be distraught and irritated (feeling their knowledge and abilities are wasted), and likewise a person not educated enough for a management position (who does not know what a financial statment or balance sheet is) will be equally frustrated and lost with the paperwork and direction of workflow to ensure success of their position. Eduation is important regardless of the intent. It takes all of us to make this world turn. The more education we acquire the more opportunities we may have to obtain the life we want or desire. The point is we need education to fulfill our careers now and careers we would like the future.
[-] Posted by member1804339 on 05/29/2008 5:10 AM
A good education is the one you chased after and when you just got your finger tips on it you were slung and bleeding in the gravel .Now what? learn your dominators get ontop and work tem like marionettes,Anyway educated and ignorant tend to die the same way with loss of breathing and no heart beat.OK
[-] Posted by Cheryle on 06/04/2008 8:50 AM
Mr. Trump,
You presume too much!
There are infants, children and adults who have NEVER, smoked, drank in excess, wore a seatbelt, or engaged in premarital sex. Yet, they were born and died.

Education is meant to "teach" you the "tricks and trades" of Life.

Some people use it for the "Good of All", and others use it solely for personal gain.

College is available to many people today. What they choose to do with that education is up to them.
There are countless scoundrals who use their education to exploit others.

"Life is the BEST teacher." An honest farmer without a formal degree is far better than a "crook" who sits in the White House, Senate, Legislature, Stock Market, Banks, and Insurance Companies.
This is NOT saying that these professions are void of "honest" practioners. There is good and bad in every profession.

The ONLY reason for a good education (in my opinion) is to make you a better person who can help to make the world a better place to live than before you were born. Anything else (in my opinion) is a waste of the time a good teacher spent in training you.
[-] Posted by Cheryle on 06/04/2008 9:24 AM
The world would be far better off if it was devoid of "educated" people that work to harm our environment at the cost of lives and health of others.

Education doesn't give you an automatic license to destroy life in the name of science, politics, commerce or religion.

You can graduate from Wharton, Harvard, Yale, NYU, or any other "Tower of the Elite."
If you are not using your education to improve lives on this planet, your investment (in my opinion) has been wasted.

Every human being has talents, All contributions to humanity and the "nonhuman" living beings, should be respected. ALL should be allowed to live in dignity, without unnecessary interference, intimidation, or physical harm imposed upon them by anyone, educated or not.

I met a man who lived and worked in a cave when I visited the Canary Islands. He taught me in "minutes" the only education I would ever need. "Do what you Love, and Love what you do."

I am pleased to say, "YOU are that example."
[-] Posted by Rachael Sutton #1253595 on 12/26/2008 11:35 PM
The study of the brain has always fascinated me. When you learn new things, your brain makes new connections. These allow the brain to work better and to process messages more efficiently. Since your brain controls most of your vital body functions, the better it works, the better your whole body works. I don't think it is just getting the education that creates that end result of longer life though. Those connections will atrophy without use, so it is important to also use that education - to apply what you learn.

Mr. Trump, you referred to the education helping you to make choices to avoid things that are bad for you. I would emphasize education should also encourage us to make choices to do things that are good for us like eating healthy, getting excercise, physicals, and all those things.

Again, though, having no access to the information collected or methods, perhaps the interpretation of the data of this study may be myopic. Is it possible that the actual factor is monetary? (because it takes money to attend school and to get good health care - and the poorer your health care the less likely you will thrive).
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