School did not teach me life skills I need by Ellie Hill

The things I learnt in school have not helped me to understand the way the world works or the responsibilities I now have as an adult. Instead we are taught the ins and outs of algebra and the ways we can analyse poems and stories. We are reminded to read between the lines and look at the hidden meaning of a word that an author has used. 

I can guarantee the author's intentions were not to have their work studied but just an opportunity to escape this stressful world that no one is prepared for. It still baffles me to think that somehow that was going to help me later on.

Imagine how much easier it would have been if we were taught about paying rent and mortgages or how to apply ourselves in this ever changing world. If teachers were to take a small amount of time out of their curriculum to teach us these, I’d be so much more aware about the way the world worked as an adult.

It also seems like now the only reason kids are taught the things they are is so they can have reams of exams at the end. Students are under huge amounts pressure to remember and answer questions on skills they won’t need in later life.  Students are expected to achieve high grades which add to the pressure and are told to be revising every day along with socialising and taking breaks with friends. I honestly believe I’ve learnt more from my friends they have from any of the subjects I had in school. But of course that gets taken away from students as they want their school to be known for their outstanding results.

However, some people may believe that school is beneficial, we get the opportunity to work in groups, build up leadership skills and work with a deadline.  But is that really worth all the stress that students recieve?  

Ellie Hill