Matthew Murchie, 15, St Joseph's College
In a society where education is free, easily accessible and well-rounded, being uneducated can pose an enormous hurdle to success later in life. A couple of decades ago, getting into university was considered a great accomplishment.
Getting a master's degree used to be a really impressive feat, sure to earn you a big position in a prestigious corporation. But these days, such qualifications are often seen as the basic requirement for many good jobs.
In a developed, modern society in particular, it is essential to have some sort of academic qualification, as this is the first thing potential employers will look at. Academic qualifications are the only easy and reliable way to find an efficient, dependable employee.
What's more, having earned such qualifications, it follows logically that the person in question is reasonably disciplined, and knows how to do a good job. These qualities are great assets in life, and can greatly increase your chances of success.
Of course, you can be successful without academic qualifications. But the road to success would be risky. A proper education gives you a head start and makes success easier to achieve.
Academic qualifications really are the only way of ensuring success, mainly because of the knowledge you gain while learning, and due to the official label demonstrating your ability to succeed.