The moment a child comes into the world, he must strive for one thing: knowledge. Learn to walk, eat, defecate in the bathroom. He sits in a classroom for at least twelve years, receiving a basic education (though often not entirely by choice). Then, he may choose to later pay thousands of dollars to receive further instruction, all for the sake of knowledge. Throughout his life he will strive to learn, whether through education or experience, and will not cease until his death. (insert transition sentence here) Indisputably, the purpose of human life is to learn. The question, now, is why. Learning is not only a goal that all humanity desires to achieve, but it is also a goal that promotes progress on both a personal and global scale. Knowledge and experience are what make people successful in their endeavors. Reciprocally, those who are eager to learn are more successful than less ambitious individuals. This is evident when you consider the average salary of high school dropouts compared to that of college graduates. In 2011, young college graduates with a bachelor's degree earned an average of $44,970, while earnings for high school dropouts averaged $22,860, just half that of high school dropouts (“Annual Earnings for Young Adults”). At the very least, more time spent learning offers a better chance of achieving financial security, which suggests a better quality of life. Likewise, learning helps people get better at what they do. You are almost never born better at something. Although one may possess a natural aptitude, this alone cannot constitute perfection, and often the knowledge one possesses is not enough to herald success. Take, for example, Thomas Edison, probably one of the greatest innovators ever, in the midst of paper life, and knowledge is the foundation of all progress in life. You should never go a day without learning something. Works Cited “Annual Earnings for Young Adults.” NCES. National Center for Education Statistics, May 2013. Web.April 15, 2014. Brain, Marshall, Jeff Tyson, and Julia Layton. "Analog cell phones." How things work. Discovery, ndWeb. April 16, 2014.Cohen, Elizabeth and William Hudson. “Spinal cord work is an unexpected shock: 'This is a game-changer'” CNN. Cable News Network, April 8, 2014. Web. April 08, 2014.Deaton, Jamie P. “The 10 Best Alternative Fuels on the Road Right Now.”HowStuffWorks. Discovery, ndWeb. April 15, 2014. “Discovery and Development of Penicillin.” ACS. American Chemical Society, nd Web. 09 Apr. 2014. Furr, Nathan. “How Failure Taught Edison to Innovate Repeatedly.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, June 9, 2011. Web. April 15. 2014.