Career

Important life skills we wish we’d been taught in school

Because school is meant to equip us for life, and there's definitely room for improvement.
Little boy learning

Little boy learning

Little boy learning

When we leave school, we’re meant to head out into the big bad world armed with the knowledge that will set us up for life.

And while many of us will be able to name King Henry the VIII’s six wives, explain E=MC squared, or even point out the biological make up of a plant cell, how many 16 to 18 year olds will know how to pay their taxes, cook for themselves or even fix a broken bulb?

We think it’s high time that subjects such as home economics, woodwork, electronics, and social education started arming kids with the skills they need to excel – including how to write the perfect CV. Here are our team’s top lessons they wish they’d been taught at school.

How to budget

So many of us leave school, and even university, without any concept of how we should be properly handling our money. How to live debt-free and within your means is an important skill that we think every secondary school kid should be taught, including saving for a rainy day, and clever tricks to live more frugally.

Useful sewing skills

So we all made a rabbit shaped pin-cushion at school that mum keeps in her memory box, but how did that actually help us to buy less, mend more? Why not teach kids useful skills like how to repair holes in clothing, add buttons or replace a damaged zip?

Cooking basics

Again, our home economics schooling was pretty dire. For one of us, an entire term was devoted to making trifle, while they neglected to teach us basics like how to make a pasta sauce. How about teaching kids how to make budget friendly meals from simple ingredients, so that when they’re at university, or earning peanuts in their first job, they’ll still be able to feed themselves without resorting to fast food?

How to change a light bulb

In other home economic lessons, why don’t we learn basics like how to rewire a plug or change a light bulb safely?

Useful woodwork skills

We still have the haphazard jewellery box we made as part of woodwork, but years later, while we’re still sans dining table, we’re wondering why we didn’t learn to make something useful like an table from recycled wood. Or how to create a basic shelf.

How to resolve conflicts properly

We’re taught to be respectful and polite, but wouldn’t it be great if we were taught how to also speak up for ourselves? Raising a point of contention is difficult whether between partners, friends, family members or in the workplace. It would be great if we were taught skills on how to do this, without resorting to tantrums or anger.

Basic self defence

We’re looking at you P.E. Just a few basic self defence classes could give girls and boys the confidence to fight back, should the worst happen.

How to write the best CV and cover letter

Hands up if the first CV you ever put together was a total mess? Before kids leave school, they really should be taught what needs to be on their CV, what their cover letter should say, and most of all – the importance of spell check.

How to deal with times of emotional hardship

We’re taught about physical health, but what about emotional health, too? Social studies should definitely devote some time to explaining about different mental illnesses, what to do if you feel you have them, and why you should never be ashamed to admit them.

In addition, it would be great to point out some ways that you can take care of your mental health, and how to deal with times of emotional trauma without totally crumbling.

What would you like to see taught in school? Have your say by emailing [email protected].

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