It's a philosophy which has motivated Bathgate Park School teacher Sandy Ehlers to spend the past 13 years undertaking a law degree part-time at the University of Otago.
Recently, she was admitted to the Bar and she is now a qualified barrister and solicitor.
"My husband is a partner at Webb Farry and my son has also just completed his law and commerce degrees and he is now working at Polson Higgs. If you can't beat them, join them."
Mrs Ehlers said she completed her degree "one paper at a time to begin with", and then her teaching hours were cut in 2010 and 2011 to give her more time to finish the degree.
"It was very good of the school to give me the time. Law offers you a different way of thinking. You are far more analytical - more careful about how you approach things. It gives you an overall view of society."
Mrs Ehlers said unless a job came up which amalgamated law with teaching or working with young people, she was more than happy to continue teaching full-time at the school.
If anything, doing the degree had sent an important message to her pupils.
"To the kids, I'm still just their teacher. They don't think any different of me.
"But the good thing about doing it is if students see you continuing to learn, it sets a good example."
Mrs Ehlers said another major reason for doing the law degree was the fact she simply enjoyed studying.
The law degree is her fourth degree. She already has diplomas in home science and teaching, and a bachelor of arts degree in history.
"My husband says if I go back for a fifth degree, that's it . . .
"I would quite like to do a degree in art history . . . But for now, I'm happy being back in full-time teaching."
