Instead of learning critical life skills on how to manage money, how to negotiate, or how to communicate, kids are mostly taught to memorize information.
While schools are great in some areas, there are a lot of basic data and skills that schools always fail to pass on to us, even though they would serve us just as well or better than knowing that the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. Many people put these “life” skills on the onus of the parents to teach their kids, but not all parents are qualified to teach these lessons, and many assume that school is “enough learning.” The school system would be a perfect place to learn these indispensable skills.
Personal Finance - Schools don't usually teach you how to manage your own finances - what you need to do, what to avoid, how to stay afloat, how to use and manage debt, how to save money, and how to invest it. Schools also don't teach us that money isn't everything. Money gives you better opportunities but it does not equate to happiness. Money also has the ability to bring out the worst in people.
Mental Health - Mental Health is rarely given that importance. You are expected to sacrifice your mental health for the sake of good grades. Issues like depression are poorly understood. We need to learn how to practice self-care, how to prioritize sleep, how to take breaks, how to practice self-compassion, gratitude, and more.
Socializing and Networking - We are never taught how to network and communicate. Some very important skills in life are learning how to build networks, how to influence people, how to communicate, etc. Learning the art of being professional is also quite important. Having that professional online presence goes a long way and can be the difference between being offered job opportunities or facing a string of rejections.
Finding & Getting a job - It is rather funny how a major point of education in schools is to prepare students to engage the workforce yet they produce graduates every year who are deemed unfit for the very same workforce. Finding and getting a job involves a lot of skills that are not really taught at schools - how to apply for a job, how to build your resume and cover letter, interview do's and don't's, how to negotiate employment contracts, etc.
Dating and Romantic relationships - It may seem silly to be taught at schools but this aspect of life is very valuable - falling in love, getting married, and having a family are major events in your life. Therefore it is important to learn the skill of choosing a suitable partner, knowing what to look for and what to avoid, and how to be a good partner yourself. Apart from this, sex education is hardly taught in schools - when students are more informed, they make safer choices and have healthier outcomes.
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Gosh, so very true! I felt like I was seriously let down after studying at university, so I totally relate to the anxiety involved when finding work. Now that I have kids, I wil prepapre them for these thing so they don't feel unprepared and let down I was. Great post!
Eating properly is another one!
To be honest, I'm not sure it's the school's place to teach you this stuff. Parents (in my opinion) should be responsible for this sort of education.
That said, I wouldn't be opposed to some "Basics of Life" courses at school where they touch on these subjects.
Such a good point about how schools don't put enough emphasis on mental health. I definitely didn't know the importance of it in school and let stress get the best of me for the goal of straight A's. Having more conversations like these will hopefully be the catalyst for more focus on mental health in schools in the future :)
You're right these critical skills needed to function in the world are often left out of the school curriculum!