Hmmmm let’s reflect on the subjects you learned while attending school (Kindergarten-12th grade). Some subjects that come to my mind are Language Arts/English, Mathematics, Science, Health/Physical Education, History/Government, and Art (Dance, Music/Band, Etc).
Not saying these subjects doesn’t hold any benefits because they do, but there’s definitely some things that are missing. These things will make a person more well rounded. The things you learn in school is preparing you to become a successful adult.
LIFE SKILLS ARE WHAT’S MISSING!!!!!
If a young person is only academically competent that won’t fully help them. The importance of having life skills is to guarantee a young person is ready for the world! Life skills are a set of cognitive, personal, and interpersonal strengths that position young people for success in their lives and livelihoods.
What else should schools be teaching?
- Mental Health
- Mental health is one of those topics that the majority don’t like to talk about. There are so many that suffer with mental health battles and most suffer silently. There’s also a lot of misdiagnosis that takes place and under or over prescribed meds that are given. Mental health also brings forth a lot of denial on what is taking place. If young people are given the information needed that normalizes mental help they’ll be able to recognize the issue within themselves, as well as find ways to fight it. With education in this subject our future generations can live happier lives and achieve their purpose in life.
- Relationships/Friendships
- Every subject taught won’t matter if a person doesn’t know how to interact with others. A person will miss out on good and healthy relationships because of lack of tools needed. Relationships don’t only include romantic ones.
- One needs to learn how to be prepared for relationships/friendships; know how to communicate; know how to identify “red flag” behaviors and how to remove yourself from the situation; and simply how to maintain healthy relationships/friendships.
- Coping with Failure
- The reality is everything in life won’t always go the way we anticipated it to. We also need failure in life because it teaches us things. Failure teaches us how to adapt; also that maybe one way didn’t work; so you’re now able to eliminate that way and try another. If one has what’s needed to cope with failures less people will slip into depression during those times. Not saying it’s wrong to feel disappointment because it’s definitely normal. It’s about what you do next after experiencing the disappointment.
- Importance of Time Management/Balance
- It is important to know how to balance your time!!! Ideally, most believe you should spend most of your time working on whatever it is you want to accomplish. Sometimes you can spend too much time on certain things. Balance is key! You need to know how to balance work/grind, hobbies, self/spiritual-development, self-care, and family/friend time. Mastering this will lead to a more healthier and happier person.
- Importance of Budgeting/Credit Cards/Credit
- There’s nothing particularly wrong with having credit cards, but you have to pay attention to what type of credit cards you get; how interest is calculated; as well as when you should get the credit card. When you’re fresh out of highschool and turn 18 companies begin to send you “pre-approved” credit cards in the mail. If you don’t have the necessary tools to manage a credit card properly it will lead to messing up your credit.
- Yes, it’s important to have some form of wealth but there’s also importance in building up your credit. Just because you have a certain amount of money in hand doesn’t guarantee you some of the things you may want. Money + Good Credit is what secures you to have the things (Car/Apartments/House) you will eventually want in life.
- Own Business Path
- Schools mainly prepare you for the next step after highschool is going off to college. What about the student who doesn’t want to attend college? They’re forced to find the skills they need for their next steps in life or they settle for mediocre because they either don’t know where to start or get discouraged. Schools should be preparing young people for different paths because this will give young people more than one opportunity to choose from.
- How about preparing young people with tools to start and build their own business. Some choose not to go to college because they didn’t get a significant amount in scholarships/financial aid, don’t have the money on hand, and don’t want to take out loans that’ll just put them in debt. Let’s start giving them more options to choose from!!!!
There may have been some other topics that fall in the life skills category, but the ones listed are what I wish was taught in school when I was growing up. This is not a post to blast or talk down on schools and what they teach because schooling is something that’s needed. Education is a key factor in our development as humans, but there’s definitely room for improvement and growth. Let’s not only prepare young people academically, but prepare them for every aspect of life.
I’m grateful that my occupation as a Health Educator at Teen HYPE allows me to go into middle and high schools to teach students life skills, but Teeen HYPE can’t make it to every school even though we would love to. It’s time to embed these subjects in all schools across the country. I’m sure this will lead to happier, more successful, and productive generations. I CHALLENGE YOU TO DO YOUR PART WITH INSTILLING THESE THINGS IN YOUNG PEOPLE! Until next time, REMEMBER: I’M PROUD OF YOUR PROGRESS AND I’M FOREVER ROOTING FOR YOU!
