Top 10 Things High Schools Should Teach More
It's the beginning of August, and you know what that means: back-to-school season is here. School supplies flood the aisles of your local stores, and deals pop up everywhere.School will teach you a lot of things, some of it useful, while some may feel pointless. However, the fact remains that schools don't teach everything. Many essential life skills you need after graduation, such as managing adulthood, are either skipped entirely or only briefly mentioned.
I realize that some schools do a better job than others at covering these topics, but generally speaking, these are skills everyone needs, regardless of which school they attend. Not everyone has parents who will teach them important skills, so it is crucial for schools to fill that gap and ensure all students are prepared for life.
This has to be the most important life skill you need to know. There is a lot that goes into it, like budgeting your money for your expenses, saving a bit of it, and then giving yourself some allowance. Credit cards are a whole separate thing entirely. They can be a great tool, but you have to know how to use them properly and not rack up a bunch of expenses you can't pay off.
According to Dave Ramsey, over 55 million households have credit card debt, and the Federal Reserve says only 48% of Americans actually pay off their credit card bill in full every month. One in four Americans don't have anything saved for retirement. These stats are alarming, which is why schools should educate this generation so we don't become another statistic.
Chances are pretty high you will own a car or house at some point in your life. They are the biggest purchases you will make in your life and the most essential as well. But nobody tells you the process of actually buying a car, getting a loan from the bank, or getting insurance. Also, it would be important to know about mortgages. There's a right and wrong way to do these purchases, yet for the most part, it's on you to figure that out for yourself. Having some knowledge going into the process could make these purchases smoother and less overwhelming.
Insurance is intimidating. There are so many different types, like car, home, health, life, and so on. Learning how to file a claim would be helpful. Also, knowing what is and isn't covered by your policy and what a deductible is. Knowing what policy best fits your needs and budget is also important. There is really a lot to think about with insurance that nobody talks about. You don't need every type of insurance, but you do need some form of insurance at the bare minimum.
I don't remember ever being taught this in school.
Time management is essential to function in this day and age. Sure, teachers give you an assignment and a deadline, but they don't teach time management skills. It's kind of on you to learn some of that. High school teachers are lenient for the most part and will accept late work. But the moment you graduate, whether you go to college or directly into the workforce, your time management skills will be put to the test.
You have to set up your own routine every day and manage your time at work or college to get everything done on time because not meeting deadlines is unacceptable 90% of the time.
Dating is something everyone should experience. It's important to learn how to date so you can eventually find the right person to marry. But let's be honest, high schoolers aren't great at dating. I promise you that 99% of the time, your high school lover isn't who you'll end up marrying. Most high school relationships don't last more than about two years at best.
Obviously, the best way to get better at dating is to keep trying, but you can't just try with the first person you see. Love at first sight doesn't usually end well. It's just as important to know what you want in a partner as it is to know what you don't want. It's sad that so many people get stuck in abusive relationships. You really need to learn the signs of someone being abusive and how to get out of it as soon as possible.
Also, communication is key, and going at the right pace is important. You should try to be friends with them. You don't need to act super serious like you're going to marry them right away. Wait until after graduating college before thinking about marriage. Just keep it casual.
But it's not just about dating. Socializing with people is important while you're still in school. Having friends is a key part of your adolescent years, but make sure you have the right friends - people you can trust - because peer pressure is real. How to make friends is something nobody ever teaches you either. It's just the computer randomly putting you in the same classroom.
If you were to ask random high school students their biggest fear, chances are public speaking would be a common answer. This is a skill everyone should have, and really the only way to get better at it is by practicing. It can be intimidating, but if you have a job, you'll likely have to present or speak in meetings at some point in your career. Knowing how to communicate and being comfortable doing so is something that will go a long way for your career.
Some people have it naturally and have no problem, but most people have probably felt a little nervous. Teachers make you do presentations, but you need to know how to speak professionally and how to engage with your audience, which most teachers don't do a good job of teaching.
This is something you should know how to do in case your car has problems and the light next to the speedometer comes on. You can at least have some idea what the issue is. You don't have to be a mechanic to do some of these things either. Just simply checking your tire pressure and checking your oil is important. If you can change your own oil, it will save you money. Also, changing a flat tire is something everyone should know how to do. Even knowing what to do in an accident is beneficial for everyone, just in case.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet schools do very little to teach us about mental health. Most students have probably experienced anxiety, stress, depression, or other mental health issues, and the current world events aren't helping either. In this day and age, it's important to stay healthy both physically and mentally. Schools need to do a better job of teaching about some of the conditions, signs to look for, and how to get help.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 adults in the US have a mental illness. Mental health issues can seriously damage a person, which can drive them to overdose on drugs or alcohol to try and cope, or even worse, commit suicide. I'm very surprised schools haven't already taken measures to bring awareness to mental health issues.
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You don't need a medical background to learn basic first aid skills. Everyone should know about CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and how to clean and dress a wound.
These skills seem simple, but it's easy to panic when this type of situation arises and forget what to do. Even if you call emergency services, it can take a long time for them to reach you depending on your location. Knowing what to do could be the difference between life and death.
At some point in your life, you will likely own a home, which means you need to take care of it. Painting, carpentry, and basic plumbing skills will save you from having to call a repairman for simple tasks. But it also includes skills like mowing, running a weed eater, and having an understanding of some basic tools. Not just the hammers and screwdrivers, but being familiar with different saws, wrenches, and drills will help you when you need a specific tool for a specific project.
This is something I wish I had more knowledge about. Home maintenance should also include cleaning the inside, like vacuuming, cleaning windows, and the bathroom and kitchen at the bare minimum. You could hire someone to do those jobs for you, but it would save money if you knew how to do some basic tasks and only called someone for more complicated issues. Plus, it shows that you are independent enough to maintain your living space.
The number of Americans who don't know how to cook is almost countless.
